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If the outpouring God’s Spirit could be measured by the percentage of my t-shirt soaked in perspiration, today was totally amazing.  However, we can’t measure it that way at all, can we?

How do you normally know if God moved in a big way?

• The congregation goes crazy?
• The worship leader prays during the set?
• The pastor asks that you sing that song again?
• Really good feedback afterwards?
• You sweat a lot?
• You felt the “buzz” of the Holy Spirit?

How do you know?

I felt this morning went very well.  I kept a check on the congregation and they seemed to be really enjoying it and entering into God’s presence.  Even the offering / kids-going-out didn’t seem to impact too much this week.  George said some nice things after the band had finished since it was my last time.

For me, the last three went down the best - God Of All Splendour, You Are God Alone, and Amazing Love.  I dropped The Wonderful Cross.

I think the key to You Are God Alone is to avoid too much repetition.  Keep an eye on the congregation, as sometimes they can tire a little from singing the chorus over and over.  You can usually tell by the look on their faces!

This evening was a different congregation who prefer older songs.  Of the set, the two favourites seemed to be What Can Wash Away My Sin and I Stand Amazed.   After the set was finished, several people were invited to sing.  I sang Don’t Let The Fire Die by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It seemed to be accepted very well - much better than the middle songs of the worship set!

How dare you sing Amazing Grace to a different tune!

Well, after a couple of years of putting up with sound clipping and frame jumping my camcorder died today.

It’s going to be a while before I can make another video for YouTube.

During our day of prayer my boys, Nathan and Noah, mixed their unique blend of sounds through the sound desk.  At one point, during Mark’s session,  I had to turn his vocals back up.  Sorry Mark!

In the morning I will be leading worship at my church and in the evening I will be leading worship at my Dad’s church in Lisburn City centre. 

My band for the morning consists of Janette on keyboard/vocals, Robert on sax, James on Drums, Peter on bass/vocals and me on guitar/vocals.

Due to the fact it’s probably my last time leading worship at my church before hitting the states I asked everyone in the band to forward me a song or two that they have enjoyed playing.

James chose Knocking On The Door Of Heaven and Grace Like Rain.  Peter chose I Confess My Hope (You Alone Are God).

(E) Knocking On The Door Of Heaven
(E) Glory
(E) Grace Like Rain
(E) God Of All Splendour
(C) You Are God Alone
(D) Amazing Love
(D) The Wonderful Cross

For the evening the band consists of David on drums, Elena on keyboards and me on guitar/vocals.  The congregation prefers older songs, so I’ve tried to provide a good mixed set list of old and new.

(E) What Can Wash Away My Sin
(E) Grace Like Rain
(G) For Who You Are (Standing Here)
(G) We Stand And Lift Up Our Hands
(G) I Stand Amazed (How Marvellous!)

With having so much on recently, it’s easy to get distracted and not put the usual effort into compiling a set list.  I pray the Holy Spirit will be able to move and minister through the songs I have chosen.  I pray the band gels together like never before and we go out with a bang!

Been listening to this song a lot over the last couple of days…

Every Little Thing

Everything must change
There’s a mirror showing me the ugly truth
These bones they ache with holy fire
But I’ve got nothing to give, just a life to live
If your world is without colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

Every little thing’s gonna be alright
Every little thing’s gonna be alright [x2]

There’s no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
I’ve built my house where the ocean meets the land
It’s time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand
Let your world be full of colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

When it’s all falling down on you
You’re crying out but you’re breaking in two
When it’s all crashing down on you
When there’s nothing you can do
There is someone who can carry you

Written by Martin Smith/Stuart Garrard ©2003 Curious? Music UK

From World Service by Delirious?

Does anyone else experience a large drop in numbers when a prayer meeting is organised?  Or a special worship marathon?  Why do people loose interest?

A few people turned up on Saturday for our day of prayer.  We started with an hour-long worship set. 

Although the attendance was low we had a nice time and the hour went so quickly.  The band were superb, even though we had not practiced for it.  Thanks to Janette, James and Peter.

After the discussions recently about keeping your eyes open, I attempted to do that this week and connect with people in the congregation.  Did it enhance the whole worship experience?  I don’t know is the truthful answer.

No, this has nothing to do with Steven Curtis Chapman’s last best album.  Although to be fair, I selected Declaration on my iPod the other day and thought…. umm not bad.  I didn’t like it at all the first time I listened to it a number of years back.

Anyway, I’m getting off track.  Our US visas have been approved and arrived yesterday morning.  It’s a matter of weeks now before I move the family out to North Carolina.  It’s an exciting time for us, but there is soooo much to do before we leave.

How does this affect my family?  We’re moving to totally new surroundings.  We’ll meet new people.  The kids will make new friends.  We’ll enjoy the better weather.  We’ll have fun exploring the US.  We’ll miss our friends and family back home.  We’ll look forward to visits from our friends and family.

How does this affect me as a worship leader?  It means that I only have one more time of leading worship at my church.  It’s a weird feeling.  I can look back and remember the early days.  I can see how much I’ve grown as a worship leader (a lot!).  I know I still have a lot more to grow.  I don’t know what the future holds yet, or what part I can play in my new church.  Time will tell.

I thank God for being with us so far and working everything out.  I believe His hand is at work in this whole move - without a doubt.

The Great Adventure…

Mud asks a good question on how we take worship to the next level.  Check out some of the responses over at his blog.

Ok, I’ve reduced the list for Saturday morning, and here it is.  I probably still have a few to spare, but that is always a good idea.