Sunday Setlists: March 9

My church kicked off a new sermon series this week, with the sermon titled "The Call of Neighboring". Here are the set lists created for both Traditional and Contemporary Worship:

Scripture References:
Acts 17:26-27
Galatians 5:14

Traditional
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
At Calvary
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated

Contemporary
Indescribable
This is Amazing Grace
Burning In My Soul
With Everything

5 Scriptures for Workplace Worship

While worship is where my heart lies, my paycheck comes from other means. This isn't an issue for me, as I see my role in the church as a blessing and an honor that I would be able to lead others into His presence.

Do you find yourself wearing different hats between a career and your work in church? So many times, I find myself being a completely different person than I am on Sundays, Wednesdays, or even after 5:00 when I'm at home. Being a single, female, mid-20s business woman, it's so hard to have Biblical principles in my career, while still being successful! Can I get an Amen, or am I the only one?

One of the blessings of my position is that I'm in a very Christian community and have the freedom to cover my desk area and computer screen in posters and post-it's of Scripture.

Because I believe all our worship should first and foremost come from The Word, here are some of the Scriptures I have around my desk:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for men."
          - Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." 
          - Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

   "Let your conversation be always full of grace,
                                                 seasoned with salt,
   so that you may know how to answer everyone."
             - Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
          - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
       - Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

 The Fruits of the Spirit are the Scripture I refer to most often. Thanks to a print from Etsy, I try looking at the poster whenever I'm thisclose to coming undone at someone and decide, "okay Lord, let's work on some gentleness today!"

If you work in an office or classroom, what are some Scriptures that get you through the day?
If your job is at home, what Scriptures keep you encouraged?

Hindrances in Worship: Shout aloud to the God of Jacob

Psalm 81:1(b), "shout aloud to the God of Jacob!"

Do we really shout in worship? (I do if there are enough people in the room...and it sounds SO bad.)

During corporate worship (Church gatherings, conferences, etc.), it can be so awkward and uncomfortable to collectively "lift a shout" here in southern Indiana. What may seem like an act of spontaneous worship can come off as forced and contrived.

The majority of my shouting comes in my personal time of worship. Be it in the car or at home, I find myself surrendering myself to His presence when I can completely lean in to the Spirit. Do you find this to be true to yourself? If so, why is it easier to really, really worship in private than in corporate worship?

As a worship leader, it seems there's a very fine balance between engaging a congregation in worship and really surrendering to The Holy Spirit in personal worship, during a service. So many things are running through your mind. Here's my mental list at any given time during a set:
- What words come next? 
- Is the microphone even on?
- The next song... do I remember how it starts? What is the transition?
- Are my pants zipped? (All. The. Time.)
- I think the guitar came unplugged.... hurry up and find another instrument to listen to!

So many distractions. But here's the truth, friends:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV (emphasis added)

All those thoughts? Hindrances. Entangling. Distractions. Lies. Deceit. 

This is my prayer, that we may fix our eyes on Jesus. If we really are to fix our eyes on him, then whether our worship service be traditional or contemporary, or whether we are a member of the congregation or on the platform, do the rest of our distractions not fade away?

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus", Helen H. Lemmel, 1922.

So, if I'm in the light of His glory and grace, why do I care who sees me shout and get excited for the God of miracles?  

Throw off everything that hinders.... Look full in His wonderful face...

 This... Yes...