HE IS RISEN!!! What a celebratory service for rejoicing in and giving glory to our Risen Savior!
We opened the service with our choir singing the powerful song: They Could Not. Man, I love them – they are so fun to serve with! They are “the few and the humble!” I get chills looking into their faces while directing them – close to tears at times. How they minister to me! (They probably think I am weird as I make faces at them while directing!)
Nancy and I did the offertory: One Solitary Life. She played the piano and I read the poem.
Worship Set List:
- Christ Arose [Lowry (Don Chapman arrangement)]
- Celebrate, Jesus Celebrate [Oliver]
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises [Baloche – with newer second verse added]
- Holy is the Lord [Tomlin/Giglio]
- Closer: Sing to the King! [Foote/Home]
Holy is the Lord was the original closer, but I changed it to Sing to the King on Saturday night at about 8PM as I was getting my stuff ready for the next morning. Ending the main set on All the Earth was good, but I think moving Holy is the Lord built on the Gospel message of All the Earth with the fact that we worship and bow down and that His renown is rising – because of His great love!
Sing to the King – was a better closer, I think. What can I say; I love the way the song connects all that Christ accomplished with His future return and reign! To me, the phrase “we will be ready, the dawn of that day” is really a call to a life of worship…how can I be ready if I am not an action-oriented Christ worshiper (may it be so in me)!
May I just say that God has blessed East Valley with such talented and flexible worship team members (and an understanding Senior Pastor!). To indulge my Sunday AM song/service change – well, I just thank God for them and their heart to really seek to glorify God first and also faithfully and skillfully lead those at East Valley to the Throne of Grace each week. My heart is full! [Ok, I called my ideas/arrangements/changes/goof-ups "improvisification" at practice this past week! They laughed...and they DID have smiles on their faces!] I gotta love on them too…just like the choir!
I really like the new arrangement of Christ Arose. If you are a worship leader and are not familiar with Don Chapman’s resources (especially his arrangements of traditional hymns), I recommend checking him out here. Funny story about Christ Arose and my leading worship at East Valley. A few years ago, I didn’t plan Christ Arose as part of the Easter set. I heard from multiple people that it was missed! It’s pretty cool how people of all ages like this song – some of the people who missed it were younger than me…it was a song that meant Easter for them. I learned…we ALWAYS do it on Easter now (although, this year a slightly different arrangement).
Even cooler then the music – I believe there were at least four or five decisions for Christ this morning…what a glorious day!
MARANATHA!
x
This post is part of Fred McKinnon’s “Sunday Setlist” community.
Love that you had great music AND new lives won for Christ. Happy Easter everyday!
How cool was your sunday!?!?!? !
Great set list.