Fork In The Road Music » Worship Planning

Sunday Setlist 8/29/10

Russell Martin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:10:35 +0000

This Sunday was the first one back after school had begun. It was great to see everyone in worship. We had a full band, with the awaited return of our guitar player. It was also good to have Kerri back singing with us.

It was also one of our better Sundays figuring out our new sound system. Last week the left speaker was cutting out, a loose wire fixed that. We also played with the gate on some of the vocals and did some more EQ on some of the instruments.

Our songs included:

It’s My Joy

Today is the Day

Father Spirit Jesus

Only You

Sing Sing Sing

Awaken our Hearts

Our message was about ”Living Water” from Jeremiah 2:4-13.

So what happened in your worship service? Share it, and read what others are doing on the Worship Community Sunday Setlists

Sunday Setlist 08/22/10

Russell Martin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:58:24 +0000

This week was the Sunday before school starts, and is always a big Sunday at our church. We had “Blessing of the Backpacks” and we pray for the kids as the go back to school and give them some small gift, this year a keychain for their backpacks. It was great to have four vocalists and a full band. Special thanks to Jimmy Callicot for filling in on guitar.

The songs we sang were:

In the Light- DC Talk

Days of Elijah- Twila Paris

He Reigns- Newsboys

Never Be the Same- Russell Martin

I Can Only Imagine- Mercy Me

In the Secret- Smithband

So what happened in your worship service? Share it, and read what others are doing on the Worship Community Sunday Setlists

Sunday Setlist 08/15/10

Russell Martin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:21:48 +0000

love the fact that we celebrate communion once a month at our church. This was one of those Sundays. Our regular drummer, and guitar players were out for the week so we were honored to have one of our youth band members fill in on drums, and new friend Jimmy Callicot play guitar with us. (He’ll play next week too).

Since we had one of our youth drummers playing we chose songs that both the Youth band and Xperience Band were familiar with. We started out with One Way, then Everlasting God. Pastor Danny Wayman brought the message “Receiving Promises by Faith” based on Hebrews 11:29-12:2.

After the message we had the honor of praying for Stacey Pool on the day she left to teach in Africa. (check out her story on her own blog (discipleofgrace.blogspot.com). We sang Blessed Be Your Name, and then How He Loves for offering. Then it was time for communion. After the elements were consecrated we played Lead Me to the Cross. We finished up with the invitation song You Never Let Go.

So what happened in your worship service? Share it, and read what others are doing on the Worship Community Sunday Setlists

5 Things We Do Wrong at Camp- #1 SHHHHHHHHH TIME FOR WORSHIP!!!

Russell Martin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:37:36 +0000

Over the past several years I have been leading worship for many camps and retreats. This has given me the opportunity to observe some awesome things happen at camp, and some things that didn’t work so well. Over that time I have been able to come up with this list of my top 5 things not to do at camp. These are not from a particular event, but gleaned from many different events over the years. Here is the first…

1. SHHHHHHHHH- The kids are gathered in the sanctuary for worship, but are talking to each other about lunch, or the cute boy in cabin 2-a, or the life changing bible study they just got out of. The music leader gets up on stage and is about to start when one well meaning adult comes down the aisle yelling, “SHHHHHH, QUIET! IT’S TIME FOR WORSHIP! EVERYONE BE QUIET AND FACE FRONT”

A good worship leader should be able to move the kids from chaos into a time of corporate worship by the songs they choose, and the leadership projected from the stage. The kids are noisy but so are most churches on Sunday morning before the first song, or call to worship, or prelude.

What would happen if at 2 minutes until time for your Sunday Morning service started you were sitting and talking about where you are going to eat lunch after service, or about the visitor that just sat down in your seat, or the awesome Sunday School lesson you just got out of, and all of the sudden an usher walked down the center aisle yelling, “SHHHHHH, QUIET! IT’S TIME FOR WORSHIP! EVERYONE BE QUIET AND FACE FRONT?”

I know that it’s not intentional. Whoever does it just wants to help and I understand. I have done it before myself on many occasions. When I took a step back and looked at what was happening though, I realized that we’re beginning worship by yelling at kids. As a participant, I am coming to worship and being yelled at. When we do that, we are unintentionally trying to force a response, force silence, force reverence. Not a great worship setting.

As I said earlier, the worship leader should be able to move them from this time of talking to friends, into a time where they have the opportunity to respond, to be reverent.This can be done in two opposite but equally effective ways.

First, start with a familiar, loud, participatory, active song like Sing Like the Saved, Every Move I Make or Today is the Day. One where they have a part to sing, and actions to do. They will still be loud, but they will be loud praising God together. Then use other songs to move them more into that corporate worship time.

The other way is to establish a song that is used at the beginning of each worship service that is more quiet and reflective. Songs like Sanctuary, Here I Am to Worship, are good for this. Just get up to the microphone play and sing. The first time through maybe only a few will start singing, but that will grow. Through out the week, it will happen faster.

Besides using songs there are some other things you can do:

Use candles and lighting to help set the mood. Have counselors or leaders come to the front and light a candle when there group is all there. Have a candle lit by the leader when worship begins. Talk about it representing the Holy Spirit among us, and that it signifies the beginning of our worship time.

Change the room for worship Often times we had to use the same room for games, food and assemblies as we did for worship. If this is the case then find ways to change the appearance of the room for that worship time. As mentioned above use creative lighting for starters. Create an altar table decorated with items reflecting the service’s theme, or have a special cross or banner that is used only during corporate worship times.

Pray. Begin with “Let us Pray” or “Would you please bow your heads” and then go. They might talk over you talking, but most of the time they won’t talk over you praying.

Start with a Video. At one camp I went to last summer, each worship service started off with 2-3 different videos. Most were worship songs with words and pictures that played as we entered. It was a great way to set the tone for the nights service.

Set the Example Yourself If you, as a leader, walk in and are talking to your friends about stuff before the service, then you cannot expect the kids to do differently. You are the leader, so you need to set the example.

What are some other things you have done to help set the tone for worship in a camp or retreat setting?

What are number 2-5 on the list? Follow me on Facebook Twitter or Subscribe to this blog by Email or RSS and keep watching to find out.

What do you thing should be number 6?

College UM ARMY Songs

Russell Martin — Sun, 30 May 2010 04:39:15 +0000

A few weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity to lead worship for a great group of college students and adults at College UM ARMY. It was great to have the opportunity to start and end our day with worship for 6 days in a row. After one of the services someone came up and asked if they could get a copy of some of the songs, to take back to their church.

So here it is. The College UM ARMY Worship songlist. Each song is listed, along with a link to where you can download it. (most often itunes)

All in All

Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone

Brother Friend

Halle lu Halle lu Halle lu YAH

More Precious than Silver

The Reason Behind the New CD

Russell Martin — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:24:02 +0000

I have been talking with several people about an idea I had for a new CD. For years people have asked me when I was going to do a piano CD. I have hesitated for a while, but the idea kept being brought up.

My wife suggested about a year ago that I do a CD of instrumental piano for several friends and family who were expecting at the time. Though it did not happen then, it was another reminder.

Well… now I am finally going to do it, and for a very good reason.

Meagan and I have started the process for adopting a child.

You can read more about it on the blog we set up. russellandmeagan.blogspot.com

I am planning on traveling to several churches and leading a free night of worship and music all on piano. I’ll record everything and then take the best of the piano recordings, and compile them onto a CD. Then I’ll make physical and online copies available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from the CD will go to a fund to help other families beginning the adoption process.

How can you help?

1. Pray- Pray for us as we begin this journey, pray for families considering adoption, pray for children waiting to be adopted, pray for this CD and what God has in store.

2. Host a night of worship- My goal is to line up 15 worship events. These can be large church services, youth groups, retreats, or even home groups. My goal is to finish recording by the end of August. There is no cost for the event, I am only asking for a love offering to help with travel expenses.

3. Help choose some of the songs- I would like to use some of my Instrumental Reflections. Take a chance and listen and then leave a comment, or email me and let me know which ones you would like to be on the CD

4. Buy a CD when they come out. I’ll let you know when.

I know there are many of you who have gone through or are going through process of adoption.

What words of encouragement would you give to someone who is beginning this journey?

Worship Recap 05.02.10

Russell Martin — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:21:59 +0000

Usually our Sunday morning services consist of an 8:15 traditional service, and then 10:30 Sanctuary and 10:30 Xperience services run at the same time. From time to time, for special occasions in the life of the church, we will combine the 10:30 services into one worship service. This past Sunday, Senior Sunday, was one of those occasions.

We set up the Xperience band in the sanctuary using my Bose tower speaker, and soundboard. We ran all the instruments, bass, drums, keys, acoustic, and 4 vocals, straight into the board. This helped us not have to reconfigure the sound system in that space for just one week.

The service started off with a combined selection of All in All with the Xperience Band and Sanctuary Choir. We took the choir’s arrangement and wrote out a lead sheet for the band. The band added some bass, strings and light drums to the arrangement. It all worked together nicely.

The rest of the songs we did were led by the Xperience Band. Since we did not have screens in the Sanctuary, and since we wanted to do familiar music for all involved, we chose songs from the Methodist Hymnal or Faith We Sing books that we had contemporary arrangements for.

We took time to recognize our Graduating Seniors, and also took communion. It was nice to share communion all in one location, at one table, at one time.

Here was our list:

All In All

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

Jesus Paid it All

Here I Am Lord

Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy

Does your church have different worship styles? Have you tried a combined service? How has that worked?

To see what other services did this week check out Sunday Setlists at The Worship Community

Worship Recap 4.25.10

Russell Martin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:55:10 +0000

Here are the songs we sang this Sunday…

Tell the World

Ancient of Days

All Because of Jesus

Word of God Speak

Jesus Messiah

What did you sing?

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp-Part 2-What Songs to Sing?

Russell Martin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:38:11 +0000

After I sent out my last post in this series, Questions to Ask, I got a comment from fellow worship leader and blogger, Todd Wright.

”I usually try to dig pretty deep as to what songs these kids are singing. Unfortunately, I get a lot of “Oh, you know…whatever.” But with a few specific questions, I can at least get a sense of the genre or history of the music they dig.

The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. A little investment of time can ensure that your worship will connect with folks, even though you might be a new face.

Great advice- So how can you do this? Let me suggest a few ways.

1. Ask the leaders- When you get called for camp ask them what their kids are singing in worship. Ask what type of worship services they have at their church, what songs they use in those services, or what they listen to at youth.

2. Use internet to ask ahead- Does the camp have a facebook page? I have begun dialogue with those who will be attending camp directly this way. Just post and say, “Hey, I’m leading music and am asking for song requests.” Not only is this a great way to find out what direction to head musically, but also helps you build relationships before you even get to camp.

3. Request box or list at camp- I was first introduced to this idea at a college work camp. The program director took a shoe box, decorated it and wrote the word SUGGESTIONS across the top. At first I was kind of leery, but it turned out to be the best thing ever. We told the students to make suggestions about anything, including songs.

The first night I had about 10 song suggestions. Each night more came in. I tried to work in as many as possible that worked within our camp. Not only did this help everyone have input in the service, but I went a way with a list of songs to use, some I knew, and some new ones to learn. The new ones I learned I used later that summer.

4. Remember it’s not about you- Re-read Todd’s last paragraph at the top -

“The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. “

We all have our favorite songs, the ones we use, connect with, even have written ourselves. However leading music at camp is about allowing the campers to connect with God. Your purpose is to help them do that. By all means introduce new music, sing a new song, but keep in mind your congregation for the week. Sing songs because they connect with your campers, and that help them connect to God, not because they are your favorites, or originals.

These are just some of my suggestions. What ways do you use to find out what songs you should sing? Do you feel it is important?

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp- Part 1- Questions to Ask

Russell Martin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:13:02 +0000

So you are sitting in the bookstore, drinking coffee and your phone rings.

“Hey, I was wondering if you would be interested in leading music for camp this year?”, the cheery voice on the other end says. “Um, sure?”, you say “When is it?”.

After a promise to check your calendar you hear, “I’ll call you later with more details, Thanks!”

That’s only one of the ways I have ended up spending weeks at a time at what I would call one of the greatest opportunities in the world. A chance to share in the lives of youth; to hang out with them, and listen to them; and to lead them in worship.

That time is coming up and the phone calls will soon arrive. So I’d like to take several weeks to post a series of some tips, thoughts, questions and practical advice for you before you head out into the wild camp frontier.

And the first tip is.. Ask Questions!

The first thing you should do before you go, and even sometimes before you agree to go, is to ask lots of questions. This will help you to know what’s expected of you, what you can expect, what you need to bring etc…

I took a few minutes to write down just a few questions you should ask:

What age group am I leading for?

Will I get paid?

Will I be responsible for campers?

What other responsibilities will I have?

Can I bring merchandise to sell?

When do I need to be there?

Where do I need to be?

What equipment is provided?

What equipment do I need to bring?

Over the next few weeks we’ll talk about why some of these questions are important, and what to do. However I know that I haven’t touched on all of them so I ask you. What questions do you ask, or would you ask, when you are leading worship for a camp or a group?