We realized that we haven’t taught this amazing song to the congregation of Crestview, so the song for September 2016 is Our Great God by Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell. Here’s a video to help you learn it.
He Will Hold Me Fast
This past Sunday, we introduced a new song to us at Crestview: He Will Hold Me Fast. Here’s a lyric video:
The Church’s Worship Helping The Culture
Great quote from Marva Dawn’s Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down:
“Christians can help society recognize the danger of its loss of reasonable discourse in the all-consuming ubiquity of entertainment. By offering worship that educates instead of entertains, that uplifts and transforms through the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), the Church exposes the meaninglessness of our present culture.” (p.72)
Weekend Recap – Reminders in Revelation
My 11/24/13AM sermon, Important Reminders from Revelation 22:1-9, is now online. It’s an odd sermon in that it brings together many important themes in this book yet packs a powerful punch in giving us truths that are important for our living. Things like our future before God, the trustworthiness of His Word and the priority of worship all are things that needed to be consistently kindled in our walk with God. I hope this sermon helps your walk, then.
Weekend Recap – Worship God!
My 10/20/13AM sermon, Worship God!, from Revelation 19:1-21 is now online. This sermon was one that was personally convicting to me and yet very encouraging. The big idea is about worship. Consistently in this passage, Hallelujah is uttered (which literally means “Praise Yahweh”). All along the way, God is wanting us to quit focusing on the small, minute lives we have for the bigger realities He has for us through His work. I hope this sermon encourages you and that you have a great Lord’s Day.
Worship, Praise & Sacrifices
These words evoke images that are striking for some and not so striking for others. Worship and praise, those are good buzz words in church culture. Sacrifice, well, as long as it’s convenient. Tomorrow, as we gather for worship, we will be exploring Hebrews 13:15-16 and the sacrifices that God delights in. Specifically, we will see that a sacrifice of praise is pleasing to God and comes out of lives changed by the Gospel of Christ. Come and be challenged to live lives of worship that please this God.
Weekend Preview – Worthy Heroes
With VBS behind us, we continue to be changed by the truths we saw. One song, which will be incorporated into our gathering Sunday is the song “Worthy” extolling the amazing praise due Jesus. This Sunday, we will be in Hebrews 11:32-38 for the AM sermon, which will be entitled Worthy Heroes. We will see people described as those of whom the world was not worthy. However, in light of Jesus and the amazing attributes He has better than any other, I’m hoping that faith would rise to make us worthy followers of Him, for He is worthy of everything. Plan to join us Sunday at 10:15AM for worship.
Worship – Remember…
I appreciated Brian Croft’s recent post on What Can Pastors Easily Forget When Preparing Sunday Services? In that post, he summarized his thoughts as:
The public, weekly gathering of the church provides a place of refuge, strength, and encouragement to our people who spend 5 days a week immersed in the world, surrounded by those who hate God, and constantly challenge the truths of the gospel they believe.
This is a great word and reminder for us. I love the picture of I get each Sunday as the people of Crestview gather to find hope in the Gospel, once again. Week in and week out, we want our worship gatherings to communicate much about God and how He has come near to us through the Gospel, specifically through Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again for us to be right with God. As you worship both today and corporately this coming Lord’s Day, how are you being encouraged in that gathering? What grace is being extended to you? Look to God and find all that you need.
To Worship Teams: Are We Growing?
…so asks Michael Bleecker, pastor for worship at the Village Church in an email he sent to his musicians and vocalists last week. The blog post explores the following:
Are we growing in godliness?
Bleecker urges his team to be godly people at the outset.
Are we growing in preparedness?
In exploring this question, Bleecker urges timeliness in rehearsals, among other things as helping his team be prepared.
Are we growing in our gifting; are we improving?
This section began with a call to improve in ear, timing and creativity, but then branched out in ways that we could improve if we are: vocalists, guitar players, drummers or keyboard players, including lots of links to helpful places on the web.
Are we serving for the right reasons and in the right ministry?
This question’s explanation was filled with much grace as Bleecker urged his team to not be misplaced if God would choose to use them elsewhere, as well as exhorting those who are called to serve to continue sacrificing for the glory of God.
It was really a helpful post. So, read it but better yet, answer the question honestly: are we growing?
Free Audio – Page CXVI – Hymns
In celebration of their Hymns II release, Page CXVI are offering a free download of Hymns, their first album. Their website says what they’re about: “Page CXVI is a project started with the idea of making hymns accessible and known again. They are some of the richest, most meaningful and moving pieces of music ever written.”
Visit their site and enjoy.