Selecting Worship Music

From time-to-time I am asked “Mark, how do you go about selecting music for the worship services at Grace Bible Church (GBC)?”  Well, in general, the music selected is based on the theme of the sermon.  My purpose is for us as a congregation to have a unity of thought in our worship.  With this in mind, I normally use two or three songs of praise to begin the service, and then find songs that help prepare our hearts for the sermon.  A final song is selected in response to the message; maybe an application of the message or an emphasis on the Gospel!   During this process, I usually come up with a list of a dozen or so songs that I then narrow down to a core group based upon previous usage, music style and a sense of how they fit together as a whole.  I also pray, pray, pray that the Lord would help guide me through all this so that what is eventually used in the worship service will ultimately glorify Him and encourage His people!

The reservoir of music that I draw upon is primarily from the Trinity Hymnal and our church’s supplementary songbook (known as the “grey” songbook), which contains a mix of hymns and contemporary music.

By the way, I am in the process of updating the songbook, so if you have suggestions for additions, please let me know!

Blessings, Mark

P.S.  In regards to my post earlier in the month on listing your top 3 hymns/songs, many of you had a difficult time (since you love so many!), so I will post your responses for the time being. 

Amazing Grace

One of our church members forwarded this wonderful and powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace”, sung by Il Divo. 

Listen and worship the Lord!

P.S.  Don’t forget to send me your top 3 hymns/songs.  I’ve only received a few responses thus far 

Mark

What Are Your Top 3 Worship Hymns/Songs?

I would like to know which worship songs (top 3) have the greatest impact on you.  I know this may be hard for some of you to limit to three, but give it try

Also, feel free to explain why they are at the top of your list.

I will summarize the results in a follow-up post.

Mark

Be Thou My Vision

I have visited Ireland a number of times during the course of my career and have loved the beauty of God’s creation in this part of the world!  One of my favorite hymns, “Be Thou My Vision”, was written in the 8th century in Ireland and thus has been in existence for around 1300 years.

Quoting from Covenant Life Church’s website: “It is one of the world’s most loved hymns because of its timeless, beautiful melody and its visual language that exalts God above all other things. It was translated from ancient Irish into English by Mary Byrne in 1905 and put in hymn form by Eleanor Hull in 1912. Rather than referring to God in vague, general terms, the lyrics ascribe specific titles to God: Vision, Lord, Best Thought, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, High King, Inheritance, Treasure, Sun, Ruler, Heart. These clear images provide fresh motivation to honor God supremely in our hearts.”  AMEN!

Here is a wonderful rendition by Michael Card (ignore the slideshow and just listen to the words)!  We will be singing this God-exalting hymn this coming Lord’s Day at Grace Bible Church.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Text: Irish Hymn, 8th century Translated by Mary E. Byrne, 1905, versified by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912 Tune: SLANE, Ancient Irish

Corporate Worship and Expressiveness

My wife, Ana, and I were married 24 years ago yesterday, and for our honeymoon, we traveled to Big Bear, Ca. and stayed at my folk’s cabin for a few days.  We had a wonderful time together and decided to attend worship at one of the local churches.  Being a new Christian at that time, I was not savvy regarding denominations/affiliations and we ended up attending a Four-Square (Pentecostal) church.  There were about 30 people at the service and things were going well until after some singing,  the worship leader said “If you love, Jesus, raise your right hand.”  Then he said something to the effect “If you want to worship, then raise your left hand.”.  Well, I don’t remember if I raised my right hand, but I definitely didn’t raise my left and neither did my wife!  I think we were the only ones with hands at our sides with defiant expressions on our faces.  We were determined not to be manipulated in worshipping the Lord with raised hands!

My point with this historical (or hysterical) story, is that next to the issue of contemporary vs. traditional music, expressionism in worship is a hotly debated subject in reformed circles.  What I mean by “expressionism” is the use of physical expression in worship such as lifting of hands, clapping, kneeling, etc., primarily during singing (prayer and preaching may also be opportunities).  I confess that this is an area that I have personally been challenged in, especially in light of what the Bible has to say about our corporate worship.

At the Worship God 09 Conference, I purposed to attend one of the seminars by Bob Kauflin, entitled, “Let the People be Glad:  Corporate Worship and Expressiveness”.   I very much appreciated Bob’s humble approach to such a divisive subject and I believe he did a good job approaching the subject from a biblical point of view.   His main point is captured in this part of his message where he quotes from John Calvin:

“The inward attitude certainly holds first place in prayer, but outward signs, kneeling, uncovered head, lifting up the hands, have a twofold use.  The first is that we may employ all our members for the glory and worship of God; secondly, that we are, so to speak, jolted out of our laziness by this help.  There is also a third use in solemn and public prayer, because the sons of God profess their piety, and they inflame each other with reverence of God.  But just as the lifting up of the hands is a symbol of confidence and longing, so in order to show our humility, we fall down on our knees.”  (John Calvin, commentary on Acts 20:36)

If your interested in listening to the message, here is the link.  Just scroll down about 2/3 of the way. The link also has the outline and notes.

I look forward to your comments!

Mark