As, I’m writing this it’s starting to snow here again in Auburn. This happens maybe a couple times a year. The first time this year came on Sunday, and in a weird way, I think had some effect on our gathering. First of all, attendance was pretty low. It’s a rural community, so those living in a higher ‘elevation’ (pun-intended), opted to stay home. Second, if it’s snowing than it’s obviously cold, kind of like the audience’s response. I did my best to warm them up, and invite people into worship, but it was a bit like trying to plow snow, it takes a while to get somewhere. Here are the songs, I played on Sunday…

Move Me- Jesse Butterworth
The Highest and Greatest- Tim Hughes
Great is Thy Faithfulness – Hymn
Pour Out Your Spirit Lord – Evan Wickham
Indescribable – Chris Tomlin
Not To Us- Chris Tomlin

Despite my excitement in picking and playing the opening set, it just wasn’t moving people, so instead of fighting it, I cut off the more up parts we rehearsed and took the songs down with mellower, slower, acoustic, choruses, which did make the hymn turn out nicely. Pour Out Your Spirit Lord, was probably my favorite song, just a cool vibe you can expect from the San Diego Native Wickham Jr. I’m bummed that I won’t be able to see him play at Crossroads on Christmas Eve. The last 2 songs made my wife say “I’m looking forward to the Tomlin concert in Sacramento in March. We need to get our tickets”. Yes we do, Yes we do. Any Cold-Weather Worship Leaders have any advice for beating the winter elements?

Songs I Sang On Sunday is a post from: Damian Horne

I know I said, I would post this Thursday, but just couldn’t get to it. As I posted earlier, Wednesday night I lead worship at Crossroads Church. I was a little nervous, with it being the biggest church in town, and having some old friends there, but also felt very welcomed too. I also have a reputation of being a bit “livelier (which means louder)” than some of the area worship leaders, so I wasn’t sure how that was going to go over. Turned out it went over fine. Being a guest leader can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable for a few songs, while people are just kind of checking you out. My prayer of the day was that, this wouldn’t be about me, but that people would worship passionately. By the time we hit the chorus of the first song, “Forever”, people were engaged. It was awesome, and I was just honored to be apart of it. Peoples hearts ready to respond in worship was truly a testament to what God is doing at Crossroads Church.

You can check out the listing of the whole set below. I was also asked to play a couple of my original tunes, so I snuck in “The Everlasting” and “Thanks & Rejoice”. It was kind of “special-music-y” which isn’t my normal favorite thing, but I think it was appropriate in this setting. I also met a lady who said she had read on Pastor Todd’s blog that he was listening to my CD, and so she checked it out on iTunes and bought it. Wow, this whole blog thing might actually be working! What do you think Brody, might be a good idea for a company (SkörInc)?

Overall, very thankful to get out and play for a new audience. Looking forward to going back again. My advice to other worship leaders, is that sticking to at least 75% familiar songs to a new audience, is definitely a great way to get people engaged quickly in worship, which is always a good thing. Got any other good advice to share?

Songs I Sang On… Wednesday? is a post from: Damian Horne

I sang songs this Sunday at church, but I didn’t lead them. My friend Moi, from southern California was in town for the holidays doing some solo gigs, so we booked him to lead worship. I was just going to hang out, but my sound guy canceled, so I ended up behind the board. Moi sounded great, he’s got a big voice, but still real smooth. He played his electric/acoustic hybrid-see-through guitar into a little vox pathfinder and it sounded great. He’s got a new project coming out soon, you can check out his stuff here . So as far as his set went, he kept it pretty familiar;

One of his original tunes mixed with God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman – Moi
Open the Eyes of My Heart – Paul Baloche
Here I am to Worship – Tim Hughes
Marvelous Light – Charlie Hall
Superman – Moi
When the Music Fades- Matt Redman
God of Wonders – Mac Powell, Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd
Marvelous Light ( Reprise) – Charlie Hall

It was a good set of worship. And as a worship leader, it was good to get behind the board, hear how the room/ system is sounding and just observe the church worship without leading them. I must admit that I don’t like taking 2 Sundays off in a row and I am looking forward to this weekend.

Songs I Sang On Sunday is a post from: Damian Horne