Themes, Lyrics, Prayers and Exhortations

Next time you worship corporately, I challenge you to pay closer attention to some of the elements of worship such as the set theme, song lyrics, transitional prayers and exhortations from the platform (and in some charismatic circles from the "crowd"). Sometimes a worship leader will design a set of songs based around a certain theme or interweaving themes. For example, this past weekend I led a set of songs based around the theme of Creation since we were talking about Creation that day. So three songs that made up that theme were How Great Thou Art, Creation Calls and Your Beloved. It sometimes helps to get a sense of the theme which can add much more impact to your time of worship. It's seeing the big picture.

Lyrics are a very powerful part of the corporate worship service. The poetic flow of a song can really help the human spirit express deeper thoughts, devotion, prayers and praise. Take an old familiar hymn Amazing Grace for example, the simple thought is that we've been saved but the poet and author of the song expressed it as Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see. Lyrics can be very powerful and help put more depth and emotion to the thoughts that we sing about.

Prayers during times of transition within the musical part of a worship set can also help us to draw deeper meaning from our times of corporate worship. A transitional prayer can be done by the worshipper as a private conversation between them and God or it can be led by someone on the platform. This prayer usually takes the theme or a specific part of the song that was just sung and applies it to the worshipper's life. An example of this is praying a prayer to ask God to help us to not just sing songs but to be compelled to move into action as a further expression of our worship (which could be prayed after the song God of Justice.

Finally, exhortations are mini-sermons, thought-provoking statements or just simple encouragement and edification to help worshippers draw deeper and closer to God during the time of corporate worship. I don't always feel the need to give an exhortation, but more times than not I share at least one small thought if not a few more words to help connect the congregation. Exhortations can be planned if you like that sort of thing, but the ones I give are usually spontaneous (at least for the first worship service). Exhortations can range from testimony, to personal reflection or devotions, to Scripture application to challenging the congregation to some standard or calling. Exhortations aren't meant to take the place of the teaching or preaching, but rather help people connect during a time of corporate worship through music and the arts.

New Blog Series: How to Worship Corporately
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Step Into Africa - A World Vision Event

We will be taking a trip to Sewickley for the WV AIDS Exhibit. We'll meet in the parking lot of RCC Oakmont Campus at 5 and return by 9 on Saturday, Oct 4th. FREE admission however tickets need to be ordered so RSVP to Dave Longstreth.

There are only 36 spots available. Sign up now..

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Can you survive the journey of a child?

Come walk in the steps of a child living in an AIDS-affected commuity in Africa. This interactive exhibit features a stirring audio tour combined with captivating photography that will transport you to the heart of Africa. You'll gain a completely new perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

You can invite your friends, family, and neighbors to come see, hear, and experience the life of a child impacted by the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time: AIDS.

Learn more about the step into Africa exhibit by logging on to worldvisionexperience.org.

If you are interested in volunteer information or becoming more involved, please email missions@ststephenschurch.net. Click Here to Read more!

Why does music play such an important role in corporate worship?

What is it about music that makes corporate worship so powerful? It's always been something that fascinates me, that's for sure. I remember as a kid singing those good old church songs like "Father Abraham" and "Deep and Wide". Do you remember those too?! The funny thing is that now my three year old daughter is learning some of those - and a few more that I didn't know. But at the same time she is learning some of the songs that us adults sing in church, too... And she loves them!

Music has always attracted me. In second grade I began playing the drums - I've always enjoyed rhythm and beating on whatever was closest to me (even my little sister on occasion). Then in seventh grade I picked up a guitar and began to teach myself how to play. It wasn't long before I left my young poet aspirations to begin writing songs. Then I began singing worship songs in my bedroom, closed away from everyone else - singing until my heart was full.

Music has the ability to reach into every part of our souls.
Words are great - a well spoken sermon has the ability to speak volumes to us. But music can go well beyond what the mere words of the song portray. Music is based on emotion and one of our senses - hearing - and sometimes even feeling. Some songs give us energy - like a good upbeat hand-clapping song with driving guitars and drums. Some songs help us proclaim truths such as a hymn with a driving beat that stands us up just a little taller when we sing it. And some songs take us away from our present circumstance through emotional strings/pads and haunting melodies. All in all - songs can work their way into the deepest parts of our being and attach themselves there to burst out in melody at just the right times.

Music inspires us to make decisions and move into action.
Once our hearts have been touched by both lyric and emotion of the song - we are more prone to make a decision and move into action. I think of songs that call us to mission, or call us to live holy lives. In the moment we are being touched by the Spirit of God - knowing that He is moving us toward Himself. From that moment we've been given the courage and the will to continue moving in that direction. And many times a season can be born. For me, I remember seasons that were captured in a single song. A certain song may have really spoken to my heart and I would listen to that song day in and day out for weeks at a time. They were times of change, times of moving into action.

Music has the power to change.
The ultimate goal of worship music is to lose ourselves and take on more of God's Spirit in our lives. As we draw closer to God through worship, we become more like Him. Music has always been the greatest catalyst of lasting change in my life. In my life change both begins and ends with music. Music puts the emotion of love with the commitment to love. That's a very important connection. Music has the ability to change hearts, then change minds - and even change the world.

How has music changed you?

How does music get into your deepest places?

Do you have a song in your heart right now?

New Blog Series: How to Worship Corporately
Click Here to Read more!

New Blog Series: How to Worship Corporately

One thing is certain about corporate worship, it can be both powerful and intimidating. I remember many times as a seeker/non-believer and even as a new believer, standing in church watching corporate worship take place feeling disconnected and intimidated. This series of posts will address some of those issues. How do we worship in a corporate setting (mainly through music)? These are some of the posts I plan on writing...

1. Why does music play such an important role in corporate worship?
2. Themes, lyrics, prayers and exhortations.
3. Postures of worship (head, shoulders, knees and toes).
4. Why should I "go up front" and leave my seat?
5. How to clap at the right place and the right time!


Please take some time to read the posts and I'd love to hear back from you so leave a comment or two! Thanks so much for checking out the blog! Click Here to Read more!