This blog examines, reviews and discusses how worship is being lived out in culture and in the church. We tackle everything from songwriting techniques in corporate worship, to interviewing worship leaders and pastors, to reviewing the last big rock concert.
I was asked recently what one thing I would thank God for, other than his Son, when we meet in heaven. My answer was grace. Because of it I’ve received all things and my family is the most precious, beautiful evidence of it. Thank you God for your grace that has given me my family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Excuse my hair
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There are plenty of lists out there talking about “thanksgiving” worship songs, as in giving thanks to the Lord. That’s all wonderful stuff, but I think the question people are really asking is, what does the church have to sing about the actual Thanksgiving dinner. America has some of the best holidays, and thanksgiving dinner deserves to be sung about. Here are the top 5 worship songs for Thanksgiving dinner:
This song is a perfect set opener, it acknowledges what we’re all here for. We’re hungry and we want turkey, it’s that simple. I think this song captures it perfectly:
Hungry I come to you for I know you satisfy
I am empty but I know your love does not run dry
So I wait for you, so I wait for you
Turkey always satisfies. Nothing better than a moist, properly cooked turkey, so I like the stance of faith this song takes and says, “turkey you will NOT run dry.” Lord knows there is also a lot of waiting, patience is so key on this holy turkey day. I end up repeating that last refrain over and over, “so I wait..for you…so I wait…”
Romans 1:20 says that “God’s eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived since the creation of the world in the things that have been made.” Nowhere is that more clearly seen than in turkey meat. This song challenges us to taste and see God’s goodness, his eternal power and divine nature inside that turkey. And just as Romans says, once we do, we are without excuse.
O taste and see that the Lord is good
O taste and see that the Lord is good to me
You have turned my mourning into dancing put of my rags and clothed with gladness
The “clothing of gladness” sung here is obviously a metaphor for gravy. I love to clothe my entire plate with gladness gravy.
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Previously on a Sunday Set List post I wrote about our amazing baptism service we had on November 9th. We had people testify to being freed from pagan worship, drug addiction, sexual addiction and homosexuality. An incredibly powerful moment and I think probably if not the best, one of the best moments in Life Connection Church’s history.
Baptisms on Stage from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
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This post was written by Scot Longyear. Scot is the Lead Pastor of Exchange which is part of Maryland Community Church where Scot is a Sr. Associate Pastor.
I stared across the desk at my boss and Sr Pastor as he said the words.
“I just got a call that Jerry died in his sleep last night.”
I felt like I was instantly in another world. “Jerry Turley? Who the heck is Jerry Turley?”
Then it hit. Like somebody dropped a bag of concrete on my gut. Jerry Turley, my friend. Jerry, our drummer. Jerry, who we had written and recorded songs with. Jerry who we had done several gigs with. Jerry, one the most gentle guys in the word. Jerry a lover of Jesus. Dead.
Jerry was just short of 40 years old. One evening he went for a bike ride with his girlfriend. He kissed her goodnight and she went home. It was the last time Jerry would kiss. He died hours later in his sleep.
Jerry’s mom asked me to speak at the funeral. I had to decline. I was a mess. There is a special bond that band people share. Few may understand it. When you create, play, laugh, worship, and rock together, there is something magical that happens. That bond was broken and so was I. I bawled thru the entire funeral. My band mates and I grabbed the casket and carried it out the door and slid it in the hearse. You never dream that you will be pallbearer for one of your friends.
I remember the days that followed. One minute I would laugh, the next I would cry. One morning after his death, I remember staring at the clothes in my closet. The next thing I knew I was literally on the floor, bawling like a baby. I missed Jerry.
It has been 10 years, and I still miss him.
I was in uncharted territory. Jerry was the drummer for our band, Fish in the Sand. Fish was the house band for a new and growing ministry called exchange. The ministry was young and we were the only musicians and the only band. As the leader I felt this pressure to keep things going. How could we keep going with a crippled band? My friends and bad-mates decided that the best thing to do was to take a few weeks off from worship leading. We needed some time, and the church was gracious to allow us that.
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