March Worship Beat

Equipping Churches to Engage Their Culture in Worship Center for Missional Worship Newsletter March, 2009

Dear Worship Beat Subscriber:

With this March 2009 issue for Holy Week and beyond, Worship Beat makes its transition from the Center for US Missions in Irvine to the Center for Missional Worship in Chandler, AZ. The mission, message, contents and purpose of the e-newsletter remains the same: to help churches and individuals such as pastors, worship leaders, worship teams as well as national, regional and local entities to obtain the resources, tools, knowledge, passion and encouragement to engage their culture in worship: "becoming all things to all people, that many might be saved!" ...that the Kingdom might grow inwardly and outwardly...that we might be "wise and make the most of every opportunity in how we treat and speak to outsiders"...that people who already know the Lord would "grow in grace and knowledge" and in passion for the lost as they are fed and nurtured by worship that is not centered in anything other than "worship in spirit and in truth." (John 3)

I pray you find this Holy Week and beyond issue especially helpful. After all, the cornerstone of our faith, as Paul states, is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ("If Christ be not raised you are still in your sins - your faith is in vain."

Resurrection joy! "By HIS stripes we are healed!" In the highly popular column Songs of Substance you will find suggestions for worship songs that make a point of noting the stripes and crushing of God's Son in our place. God is good! He takes the load and we get off scott free! Amazing Grace!!!

Rev. Mike Zehnder

Missional Worship Consultant

Center for Missional Worship - Phoenix, Arizona

Inspiration from Worship-Loving Saints

Wise observations from well-known worship leaders, songwriters or theologians past and present....

Tommy Walker is a well-known songwriter and worship leader from Los Angeles, CA. A few of Tommy's blockbuster songs include "He Knows My Name," "Mourning Into Dancing" and "Break Through."

About eighty percent of my songs come out of my personal times of devotion with the Lord. In fact, the songwriting process has evolved into a big part of my time with God.

The most important element in the writing of great worship songs is having a personal relationship with God. Luke 6:46 says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." As we fill our hearts and minds with God's Word, His words will automatically flow out of us and into our songs.

Marty Nystrom is a songwriter and worship leader, perhaps still best known for his 1984 blockbuster "As The Deer" a contemporary song which has now found its way even into many hymnals. Much of the song is a direct quotation of Psalm 42.

The lyricist of a classic [contemporary] song finds a fresh way to express an old thought. Lyrics like "You stepped down into darkness" and "He wraps Himself in light" paint a picture in the mind's eyes making the message memorable without being overly poetic. A lasting song will include words, phrases, and rhyme pairs that have not been overused and that cause a lyric to be predictable and trite. A good lyricist will seek out scriptural truths and make them accessible to the worshiper.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was arguably the greatest composer of all time who spent the greater part of his adult life as a Lutheran church musician in Germany.

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."

[Editor's note: If this be true - and it is, because God says in 1 Cor. 10:31, "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" - think about how many fewer radio stations we would have if this were followed. OR - to express this truth positively rather than negatively, notice how helpful this statement is when figuring out which songs to listen to in one's car, home or on a teenager's I-Pod. How helpful also in choosing songs for worship or in deciding whether or not to include a 16-measure guitar or percussion riff in the middle of a worship song, or even promoting and deciding the best posture and physical expression of singers and instrumentalists. Secondly, note how Bach says that music, as it glorifies God, should also "refresh the soul." Perhaps a lot of breath could have been saved over the last 25 years by simple acknowledgement of diversity and sensitivity to one another that one man's idea of musical refreshment might feel like another man's idea of musical hemlock and vice versa. - MJZ]

SOS/Songs of Substance
Songs of the Season

Songs of Substance answers the question, "Where's the Beef?" These are Praise & Worship songs with more than just great melodies. They have theological substance and/or clear Christocentricity. We commend these contemporary songs to you as valuable for corporate worship any time, but some songs (Songs of the Season) are particularly referenced in this issue for their usefulness on soon-approaching dates of Church or culture. To see the full text of these songs and/or to hear a sound sample or download a LeadSheet go to the SongSelect section of ccli.com.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SONGS

The Gospel Song - Bob Kauflin | Drew Jones CCLI Song No. 4401298 C 2002 Sovereign Grace Worship | Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity's Hosanna! Music) | (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) This short and simple text is a powerhouse of good theology and has multiple uses. In a few short lines it affirms the biblical teaching on the Incarnation, The Twin Natures of the Second Person of the Trinity, Substitutionary Atonement, Love of God, Propitiation for Sins, the Resurrection of the Dead and Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross, Salvation from the "Second Death." Text Quote: " Holy God in love became Perfect Man to bear my blame On the cross He took my sin By His death I live again." Uses: General, Lent, Good Friday, Sundays of EASTER, Lord's Supper, any time. I can envision this song replacing an "Agnus Dei" in a liturgical setting and serving as the first communion song in a contemporary setting. Available with a key change from C to D on both CCLI and PraiseCharts.com. My suggested segue for a song set that emphasizes the holiness, majesty or other attributes of God worthy of our praise would be to pair it immediately with the traditional "Holy, Holy, Holy" as the second song. If you hear an mp3 of this with children's voices, please by no means think of it as "merely" as possible children's song (although singability and easily memorable text lends nicely to that purpose as well). Definitely a good song for any age. Highly Recommended.

The Glories of Calvary - Steve Cook | Vikki Cook CCLI Song No. 4522940 C 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Theology of song affirms Grace Alone, Costly Grace, Church Militant and Church Triumphant, Boundless Love of God, Mercy, Joy in Christ, Just Wrath of God for Sin, God's Perfect Justice for Sin, Substitutionary Atonement, Love of God, Propitiation for Sins, the Resurrection of Christ. Partial Text Quotes: "Behold the wondrous cross... That came to me at such a cost where Your boundless love conquered my boundless sin and mercy's arms were opened wide... Holy wrath has been removed and Your saints below join with Your saints above rejoicing in the RISEN Lamb!" Uses: General, Lent, Good Friday, Sundays of EASTER, Lord's Supper, Cross and Comfort, God's Love, Joy in Christ, anytime as general Praise & Worship. I'm a strong advocate of using scripture on your PowerPoint slides during songs which match or complement the songs during any four measure instrumental breaks or before and after songs. In this case, a good PowerPoint slide text would be Romans 5:8-10: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" For sure this song also goes well with the teachings of Romans 11:33 or Eph. 3:17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. " Now that's a text and a song that can preach! Highly Recommended.

Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves CCLI Song No. 5183443 C 2008 Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Alletrop Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Music Services) This is one of the most incredible contemporary texts to come out in 2008 with clear Christocentricity, Justification, Substitutionary Atonement, Propitiation for Sins, Real Presence in the Lord's Supper, Incarnation, God's love for Sinners - WOW! Partial Text Quotes: "Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, The Rescue for sinners, The Ransom from heaven, Jesus Messiah Lord of all . . . He became sin who knew no sin that we might become His righteousness, He humbled Himself and carried the cross, Love so amazing . . . His body the bread - His blood the wine, broken and poured out, all for love, The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn, Love so amazing love so amazing . . . All our hope is in You . . . All the glory to You God, the Light of the world." Topics: Holy Week, EASTER, Incarnation, Justification, Christmas, Lord's Supper, Cross, Salvation, Advent, God's love, Hope and Comfort, Ransom/Rescue, Good Friday, Attributes of God. Don't forget that Chris Tomlin is a high tenor and sings in the stratosphere not fit for congregational singing. Most of his songs need to be taken down a fourth. This particular song appears in the Key of B but works nicely in the Key of G, the chorus simply soaring to a D, and keeps the verse from going below middle C. For the uninitiated, you can change the key at the click of a mouse for either Lead Sheet or Chord Chart using the Song Select Feature that is available as an additional service on the CCLI website. Highly Recommended.

Thank You for the Cross - Brenton Brown CCLI Song No. 3447356 C 2001 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Vineyard Music UK) Stunning objective Christological text from a music label best known for its intimate, highly subjective song texts. Tune-wise, it has a basic Eighth-Note pulse with back-beat swing-feel every second measure. Cheerful and ample melodic movement for a song with such a serious text - well expressing the joy behind these awesome truths, such as, "Everyone of us deserves to die, but you save all who hope in Your great love." Partial Verse Quotes: "Even when we turned our backs on You, In wickedness and lies suppressed Your truth, Even then You showed Your love for us, Giving up Your life upon a cross . . . Enemies of God with no excuse, Knowing what was right we turned from You, Given up to sin condemned to die, Even then You chose to give us life." What's not to love theologically about a text like this? A theological "10" from Vineyard. Topics: Atonement, Cross, Forgiveness, Blood of Christ, Life in Christ, Justification, Hope, God's Love, Reconciliation, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday This song is highly recommended. The repeated phrase at the end, "This is love!" highlights our appropriate response of amazement. Scripture References: Romans 8:1, Romans 5:8-10, Rev. 1:5-6, and Isaiah 1:18. A beautiful complementary text is Psalm 62:5-7.

Other great, substantive songs (theologically and musically) for:

HOLY WEEK, EASTER, and the SUNDAYS AFTER EASTER
In Christ Alone - Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend C2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
How Deep the Father's Love for Us - Stuart Townsend (Thankyou Music)
Grace Like Rain - Chris Collins, Edwin O. Excell, John Newton, Todd Agnew (Ardent/Loala Music - see wordmusic.com)
Above All - Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche (Integrity's Hosanna! Music\LenSongs Publishing) - Good for Holy Week and Good Friday, especially!
At the Cross - Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan (Hillsong Publishing) - Good for Good Friday!At The Foot Of The Cross Kathryn Scott, C 2003 Vertical Worship Songs
The Wonderful Cross Hymn by Isaac Watts; Arr. by Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin, & J.D. Walt, C2000 worshiptogether.com songs - This powerful version of "When I survey the Wondrous Cross" has almost become a "standard" for Lent, Holy Week, and especially GOOD FRIDAY

ESPECIALLY FOR EASTER!!!
Happy Day - Ben Cantelon, Him Hughes (Thankyou Music) - especially Good for Easter!
Alive, Forever, Amen Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, C 2003 First Hand Revelation Music
My Redeemer Lives Reuben Morgan, C 1998 Reuben Morgan (Hillsong)
I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin / Jesse Reeves / Louie Giglio / Matt Maher, C 2008 Vamos Publishing, worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, and spiritandsong.com (All admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

GOOD SONGS FOR PALM/PASSION SUNDAY
Sing To The King -Billy James Foote, C2003 Worshiptogether.Com Songs
Prepare The Way - Jared Anderson, C2004 Vertical Worship Songs
Save Us - Dave Lubben, C2001 Vertical Worship Songs
Prepare Ye The Way - Michael W. Smith, C2008 Smittyfly Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
Hosanna - Brooke Fraser, C2006 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
Hosanna - Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, C2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

And don't forget the previously reviewed song in Worship Beat, "Mighty to Save." This is my absolutely favorite AND most highly recommended song in text and tune for Holy Week, Easter, and all the Sundays after Easter.
Mighty to Save - Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan, C2006 Hillsong Publishing (Admin in US & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music) - Holy Week, Easter, Sundays after Easter.

BOTTOM LINE: If you're a congregation with limited people resources OR you're only going to learn a few new songs out of this whole list for Holy Week, Easter and the Sundays beyond, then here are my top suggestions from the resources above. Learn these FOUR first if you don't already know them - one new one each week, repeating any new song 3 or 4 times in a row so they become known deeply.

            &n bsp;             The Wonderful Cross - Chris Tomlin
            &n bsp;    Mighty to Save - Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan
         Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves
            &n bsp;    The Glories of Calvary - Steve and Vikki Cook

VIDEOS USED AT THE MISSION PARTNER'S CONFERENCE OPENING WORSHIP
[Editor's Note: This column is repeated because a number of new subscribers who specifically requested this information had not yet had their subscriptions processed - MJZ]

As promised to the participants, here are the videos I used in the opening worship service of the Mission Partner's conference in November. Blessings to all, Rev. Mike Zehnder, National Missional Worship Consultant.

Preservice: VIDEO COUNTDOWN: "EVANGELISM QUOTES COUNTDOWN" - ("Evangelism Quotes Countdown" by Media Fuel, found on www.churchfuel.com - the first quote is by Martin Luther, so you know you found the right one)

FIRST READING Isaiah 49:1 - 6 "Isaiah's Commission" ("Isaiah's Commission - Countdown" - found on www.SermonSpice.com, Countdown section)

GOSPEL READING Matthew 28:16-20 - from "The Visual Bible" http://visual-bible.com/ Click on The Gospel of Matthew on DVD from GNN, a word-for-word dramatized DVD Bible with epic dramas and great cinematography played out using ONLY the Bible verses from the NIV.

VIDEO RESPONSE to the Message: "What's Your Mission?" - "Whats [sic] Your Mission?" by Work in Progress Media found only on Sermon Spice. This is a hard video to find. It is misspelled on the site as "Whats" instead of "What's" but even searching under that misspelled title produces nothing. Your best bet is to do a search the word "mission." It's on about the second page of search results and the picture of a wheat field is on the front. The first screen words are, "Jesus said..."

THE SENDING - via Video: "Jesus Rant" ("The Jesus Rant" by the Veracity Project, available on SermonSpice.com and the Veracity website.)

Job Seekers
Seeking a Ministry....

Seeking Parish Administrator position. Currently living (and would like to stay) in Omaha area. Former purchasing agent for Alegant Health Care System. Dedicated church member, faithful Christian and resourceful individual; able to relate well with other staff members and an eye for innovation and challenges in serving Christ. For more information, contact Pastor Kenton Rohrberg, Messiah Lutheran Church, Hays, KS at krohrber@ruraltel.net or call 785-625-2057.

Contemporary and Diverse Worship Leader - I am a person who * Leads people to the throne of God in worship with a mission to reach the unchurched arts community. * Envisions, writes, produces, directs and leads worship services of every style. * Manages the church's Worship and Music Department for such widely diverse events ranging from week-to-week operations to more extensive productions. * Organizes people into effective ministry in a large church setting. Involves many people in leading the worship experience. * Implements special events and projects resulting in significant growth for the church. * Utilizes various media within the worship experience including video, projection, sound, light and special effects. Willing to relocate. Contact mike.zehnder@worshipconsultation.com for more information. [Editor's note: This anonymous advertiser's resume and picture are on file with me. He is HIGH quality, mission-oriented man with multiple abilities, an infectious smile and a super-positive attitude. Team player. I highly recommend you ask me for his information.]

Contemporary Worship Leader

Experienced Contemporary Worship Leader believes in reproductive style of leadership in a worship department and is committed to Christ's Great Commission. A team player, that seeks to encourage others to use their gifts in the worship with Jesus' love. Is flexible and can oversee all styles of worship, but passions are found in contemporary worship. Musical skills include keys, guitar, bass, other instruments, and vocals. Professional skills in audio, video, computer, graphics, projection, and lighting. Additional skills include administration of large ministry, training, workshop presentations, worship and technical consulting for churches and companies. Values a team ministry and committed to reaching the lost. [Editor's note: This leader wishes to advertise anonymously so please contact me for more information. I have on file his resume, cover letter and picture. This worship leader is a quality find with good skills in the ever-increasing 'tech side' of contemporary worship ministry.]

Contemporary/Alternative Worship Leader Seeks FT Position
Graduate of Concordia University, Irvine with strong background in several musical styles but especially with rock and alternative music. Four years experience. Looking to obtain a position requiring strong musical skills where I can carry out my calling to empower others, lead passionate Christ-centered worship and grow the kingdom. Similar artists include Phil Wickham, Tim Hughes and David Crowder. Lead band with voice and acoustic or electric guitar. Ministry Values: Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Relevance, Community & Empowerment. [Editor's note: This young man is advertising anonymously. I have his resume and pic on file. So contact me for more info: mike.zehnder@worshipconsultation.com or 480-861-5000. He is a very talented, up-'n-coming worship leader with a heart for the Lord and is a real team player with a kind spirit. Humble. Doesn't even mention he's great with percussion as well.]

Teacher/Musician - I am a teacher/musician from Michigan looking for a music position in a Lutheran church near the Phoenix area. I am planning to move as soon as I find a job. If your church or a Lutheran church you
know are looking for a pianist, music/choir director, I am very interested in applying for open positions. Lauren Ford 734.347.6734
flauren00@yahoo.com

To find out more about any anonymous candidates, contact Rev. Mike Zehnder at 480-861-5000 or mike.zehnder@worshipconsultation.com

These ads are free. Send your 50-75 word ad with contact information (or let me know if you prefer to advertise anonymously through me) to my email above. Mike Z.

Employers
Positions Open...

Congratu-lations to the Jordan Church plant in North Carolina for securing a dynamic Worship Leader!

Director of Music to lead our music ministry to new and exciting heights. The congregation currently worships in 3 weekend services (2 traditional and one contemporary). We are looking to enhance and expand our current offerings which have been led by gifted lay people and volunteers. In this position, we seek to bring all music under one leader. If you have questions or know of someone who may be interested, please contact me. My phone number is: (319) 366-1569 ext 224. A ministry description is available and we would welcome the chance to speak with any interested individuals. OfftJ@TrinityCR.org

Minister of Music - Growing congregation in New Berlin, WI, is looking for an individual to build and develop an exciting music program. This is a part-time position, that includes not only performance and musical leadership, but planning, as well. Individual must have excellent organ/keyboard skills and have a heart for people and Christ's mission to the lost. Primary duties to include: organist for traditional worship; worship leader and keyboardist for contemporary worship; accompany adult choir; worship planning. Our goal is to encourage God's people in their musical participation to enhance all expressions of worship. Contact: prankin@peacelutheran.org

Minister for Worship and Music (Trinity Lutheran Church Clinton Township, Michigan) Trinity is a diverse, growing, biblical, and Christ centered congregation. Trinity offers three worship services each weekend (blended, traditional, and contemporary) with an average attendance of 950. As a multi-staffed ministry which includes a school and Early Childhood Center, we are deeply committed to our mission of "making fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." To that end the Minister of Worship and Music is integral to our mission. Contact Pastor Ken Wise at pastorken@trinitct.org with any questions, inquiries, resumes, etc. Editor's Note: I also have the position description should you want to get it first from me.

Part-Time Worship Leader Needed
Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO, part-time Worship Team leader, skilled in electronic keyboard playing and programming capability, working with Pastor on music selection, helping to develop band and singers. Contact pastor@ascensionstl.com or arlo@ascensionstl.com.

These ads are free. Send your 50-75 word ad which includes your contact information (or tell me if you prefer to advertise anonymously) to: mike.zehnder@worshipconsultation.com

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"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph 5:19-20).

God bless you,

Rev. Mike Zehnder

Missional Worship Consultant