Category: seasonal programs

We don’t have the typical recap today, as yesterday was our Palm Sunday worship service “Is He Worthy.”

If you’re looking for videos of the service – check back later this week, as I’m hoping to have them up on Thursday.

Our Palm Sunday service (much like our special Christmas worship service) takes the whole hour – with music, video, narrative…

The title was “Is He Worthy?”

We did tunes from Christy Nockels/Passion, Tommy Walker, Matt Redman, Gungor, Hillsong, Jared Anderson, Andrew Peterson and The Greatest Showman.

Here is the “blurb” that I wrote from the program:

Welcome to “Is He Worthy?”

We’re thrilled to have you worshipping with us this morning.  As we near the end of the lenten season, and look forward to next week’s Easter celebration, the texts that we’re singing this morning could not be more appropriate as we consider our place in God’s story.  Our failures, His healing.  Our weakness, His strength.  Our brokenness, His redemption. As John stood before the throne in Heaven, he wept as the question was asked “who is worthy?”   I’d like to think that John was face-to-face with the ultimate example of mankind’s need for rescue and redemption, and our sin ONLY being redeemed by the ONLY one that is worthy.  And as he wept, one of elders reminded Him that he was forgiven, his standing was cleared, and all would be made new through the sacrifice of the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, Jesus the King.

The title of this morning’s worship service is “Is He Worthy?”  Spoiler alert – He is.  He is the only one that’s worthy, and as we proclaim His glory, power, dominion and majesty, we do it in the context of our eternal need for a Savior.  The only thing we’re able to bring is a sacrifice of worship.  An acknowledgement of our sin and failure, and the need for His mercy and grace in our lives.  It’s only through the awareness of our desperation that we’re able to see the miracle that He has worked on our behalf, making our standing with the Father perfect, and securing our place in glory with Him.  It’s only as we worship out of our brokenness that we’re are able to declare – HE IS WORTHY.

As you come to worship this morning, perhaps this is just another Sunday for you.  Maybe you’ve lost track of when Easter is, or come with doubts about who you are and how you can possibly be loved.  Perhaps you’re looking for a reminder of just how worthy He really is.  Consider the words we sing this morning.   Engage with the story line.  Find your place of celebration and gratitude.  Even through your darkest hour, your deepest need and your most detrimental failure,  His worthiness has claimed you, set you apart for His glory, and called you His own.

Welcome to “Is He Worthy?“

Yesterday was our “Easter season special worship service.”  It takes the whole hour and consists of choir/band, solos and ensembles and usually some kind of video/narrative element to guide our hearts through the theme.

If you’re looking for videos – come back later this week as I’m hoping to have them up on Thursday.

Our setlist was God is Coming – Tim Hughes, Wonder – Hillsong United, Your Love Depends Me – Matt Maher, Lord I Run to You  – Tommy Walker, O Sacred Head Now Wounded (a custom choral arrangement I did), Forgiven – David Crowder, Remember – Passion, Death Was Arrested – Northpoint Church, The Waiting – Matt Maher, Glorious Day – Passion, Because He Lives – Matt Maher, Hallelujah We Will Sing – Tommy Walker and Never Fail – Anthony Evans.

Here is the blurb I wrote for the program to help guide our thoughts….

Welcome to “Forgiven.”

This morning’s worship service is designed to take us through the events of Holy Week.  I find myself forgetting the weight of those actual events.  That Jesus experienced them as a man, in time and space as a part of history.  He walked the roads, experienced the people, tasted, smelled, felt.  His was welcomed into Jerusalem with a hero’s welcome – as WE were welcoming Him, under the impression that He was going to setup an earthly kingdom, and form a new government.  It wasn’t until later in the week that WE were also crying out “crucify Him!” and then WE mocked.  WE flogged.  WE drove the nails.  WE watched as the Lamb of God took away the sins of the world.  And as WE either stood by, or actively denied, or took part in the crucifixion, HE cried out on our behalf “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

And at the end of the week, after 3 days of doubt, darkness and despair, HE rose again, and took HIS rightful place, and because of HIS sacrifice, death and resurrection, WE share in the inheritance.  WE are seen as spotless and look with hope and longing to the clouds where HE will ride in, make all things new, reverse death and we’ll share in an eternity of glory.

What an incredible paradox.  What an unimaginable gift.  What mercy.  What grace.

As we come to worship this morning, my prayer is that I have a greater awareness of my sin, only so I may more fully experience His love, grace and mercy in my life.  As I imagine what it might have been like to be the one that drove the nails, and STILL hear that I’m forgiven, may my love grow deeper.  May my longing for Heaven become palpable, and may it spur me to share that incredible truth with others.

Welcome to “Forgiven.”