By Brenton Brown Sometimes it feels as if the burdens of this life are just too heavy to bear.  Sometimes they weigh down on us so hard that the thought of anyone being able to carry them seems ludicrous. And then realizing that this kind of suffering is occurring across the world in thousands of cultures and millions of homes staggers and overwhelms us. Surely there are no hands strong enough to carry the weight of the world.

As a worship leader I have the privilege of traveling across the nations and listening to the growing anthem of worship rising to God from so many countries and cultures. I’ve looked out on people across the world who have endured enormous storms – from failing health to civil war to economic deprivation to acts of violence and terror to real hunger and real brokenness. And time and again I am surprised at the power of God to triumph over and transcend the most difficult circumstances life can bring. Worship rises from hearts placed in the most unbelievable circumstances on this planet. Are all these worshipers people of extraordinary faith? Perhaps they are. But what they definitely have in common is not the type of worshiper they are, but the type of God they worship. A God who can inspire inexplicable peace and joy in the middle of heartache and destruction.

One of the most extraordinary times of worship I remember is a small city hall packed full of Christians in a region of Eastern Europe called Kosova. A group of us from England and South Africa had traveled over to share what God had done in our country. I was expecting a room full of broken and destitute people. Women and children outnumbered the men due to the recent war, and there were many widows and orphans. The church in this predominantly Muslim region was not much more than 15 years old. But as the first notes of music sounded through that cold, neon lit hall, the place erupted in joyful, abandoned worship to the Lord. I can clearly remember hearing the sound of weeping and turning around to see my friend Marc James on the electric guitar in floods of tears, amazed at the power of God! While we were expecting brokenness God was revealing beauty and grace.

So cut to a hospital room in Southern California 6 years later. Again I can see a face so clearly.  But this time it’s the nurse holding the sonogram, searching for our daughter’s heartbeat and realizing with horror that that was a sound none of us would ever hear again. A week away from her due date, in what had been a very normal pregnancy, our little girl Grace died in the womb. My wife had spent the last 9 months preparing the most beautiful little nursery for her first-born child. Her parents were flying in from South Africa. Friends were emailing her tips and best wishes. Life held so much promise. But instead of looking forward to the first blush of parenthood, Jude was facing the nightmare of having to deliverer her first daughter, still born. It was a weight so crushing, so heavy, that it felt too hard for us to bear. I wondered if we were ever going to make it through the despair and sadness that filled our hearts that day. I will never forget the long list of friends I phoned to tell the awful news. At the start of life, death had arrived and taken our little girl.

I remember feeling so much despair and sadness in the following months that when I considered all the tragedy taking place on the earth I was overwhelmed.  I thought about how people across the globe were experiencing hardship and loss as great and greater than ours, and it left a gaping hole in my heart. We staggered beneath the weight of grief. We trudged through each day, numb with loss and bewildered.  But we also remembered the saints. We remembered the faces and the stories and accounts of God’s deliverance and comfort from saints across the earth. We remembered the songs of God’s faithfulness through testing. And slowly, like the passing of the seasons, we began to see that our God is not just a good friend in a difficult situation. He is also the Almighty, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Right now the entire universe rests upon the word of his power.  Can he bring beauty out of ashes? Can he turn tears into songs of joy. Are his hands strong enough to bear not just my burdens, but also the burdens of the whole earth, the heaviest burdens of our heart? Is He up to the task? Absolutely.  His Hands are strong enough. He can handle it. The creator of all things can heal what He has made. He can clean what has been stained. Through him all things are possible. He can bear the weight not just of my burdens but of yours too.

It really boggles the mind. But He can bear the weight of the world. He is an amazing, mind boggling God! His peace carried us through Grace’s death and continues to do so. His love, faithful as the dawn, has given rise to “Amazing God” and “Adoration,” songs that join a multitude of anthems of praise lifted by the cloud of witnesses across time and all across the earth. His hands are strong enough. He can heal the pain. He can clean the stain. He can turn our tears into songs of praise. He’s an amazing GOD.

You’re amazing God, You’re amazing God

You can bear the weight of every heavy heart

You can heal the pain, You can clean the stain

You can turn our tears into songs of praise

You’re amazing God

More information on Brenton can be found at www.BrentonBrown.com.  Full “Amazing God” and “Adoraton” lyrics and chords can be found at http://www.brentonbrown.com/songs.html.

ONE OF THE MOST LOVED MODERN WORSHIP SONGWRITERS, BRENTON BROWN, OFFERS ADORATION FEB. 23
 
Collaborative Album Features Songs Inspired By Real Life Joy, Sorrows; Co-Writes with Paul Baloche, Matt Maher; A Who’s Who List of Musicians

(Nashville, TN) January 15, 2010 – Modern worship songwriter/artist Brenton Brown releases his full-length album, Adoration, Feb. 23 from Kingsway with distribution by EMI CMG.  Initially released in the UK under the title, Because of Your Love, the album has never been released in the US and has since been repackaged and expanded.  It features a brand new song, “A Thousand Stars,” a new version of “Adoration,” a remix of “Amazing God,” and re-recordings of Brenton’s classic congregational favorites “Holy” and “All Who Are Thirsty.”
 
A collaborative effort, Adoration showcases an impressive musical team surrounding Brenton’s own guitar work and vocals.  Musicians on the album include drummers Aaron Sterling (Natasha Bedingfield, Brooke Frasier, Miley Cyrus) and Ben Showalter (Chris Rice, Tim Hughes, Shaun Groves); guitarists Dwayne Larring (Sonic Flood, Kelly Clarkson), Gary Burnette (Taylor Swift, Etta James, Mark Schultz) and Scotty Murray; bassists Akil Thompson (Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen) and Tree63’s Daniel Ornellas; and noted vocalists Matt Maher, Paul Baloche, Sarah MacIntosh (Chasing Furies), Kathryn Scott and African Children’s Choir (on “A Thousand Stars”).
 
Well-known songwriters and long-time friends Paul Baloche, Matt Maher and others share co-writing credits on the album, as Brenton and Jude Brown, along with Jason Ingram (Bebo Norman, Aaron Shust, Jim Brickman) and Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Shane & Shane, Derek Webb), share producing responsibilities.  The album was engineered and mixed by Joe Baldridge (Toby Mac, Tree63) with additional engineering by Paul Moak and Rusty Varenkamp (tobyMac, David Crowder Band, Mute Math).
 
While recording with some of the best musical talent to be found, for Brenton, making records is not about a career, but instead a response to what God has done and how his faith has grown. Adoration reflects the struggles of life and the glories of heaven, drawing the listener closer to the mysterious, all consuming heart of God.
 
The current radio single, “Adoration,” was not written for the sake of a title track, but simply because worship is hardwired into Brenton.  It is his expression of hope as he and his wife, Jude, went through the painful loss of a stillborn baby girl, Gracie, and the terror of nine months of pregnancy before the eventual joy with the healthy birth of his daughter, Bella.
 
Speaking about this with incredible honesty, as well as a profound sense of God’s healing in place, Brenton describes the experience:  “Our hearts were broken right at the start of what should have been a promising life. It was hard to imagine that there could ever be a happy ending. But we resolved to fall upon the Lord.”
 
“We can think that ‘most’ of what we need is found in Him,” continues Brenton. “Most, but somehow not quite all of it.  Yet what brought us hope and encouragement is the fact that this life is not all there is to the story. The upward call of Christ draws us to the elements that continue.”
 
The lyrics of the song “Adoration” are anchored in the deeply personal trauma of birth and death, yet remain universal and inspiring for all:
 
We bow our hearts, we lift our hands,
we turn our eyes to you again
And we surrender to the truth
that all we need is found in You

Receive our adoration
Jesus Lamb of God
Receive our adoration,
How wonderful you are
 
For Brenton and Jude, the truth is simple: “We didn’t just receive comfort and strength, but the knowledge that our little girl Gracie is with Him, and that one day we will be reunited with her,” says Brenton. “That’s where the words in the bridge come from: Every soul you’ve saved sings out / everything you’ve made resounds / all creation’s standing now / lifting up your name / We’re joining in the angel’s song / we’re gathered to your ancient throne / children in our Father’s arms / shouting out your praise.”
 
The full Adoration track listing follows (all songs written by Brenton Brown, with co-writes noted):
 
1) “Adoration”
2) “Amazing God”
3) “Holy”
4) “Because Of Your Love” (Written with Paul Baloche)
5) “All Who Are Thirsty”  (Written with Glenn Robertson)
6) “Come Let Us Return ”  (Written with Matt Maher)
7) “Our God Saves” (Written with Paul Baloche)
“Send Your Rain”                
9) “Wonderful” (Written with Doug Bacon)
10) “We Need You”
11) “A Thousand Stars”
 
Brenton Brown has written five CCLI’s Top 100 songs that are being sung by millions in churches all around the world, as well as played in concert venues and recorded on albums by an acclaimed group of artists, such as Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St. James, Lincoln Brewster and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely.  His song “Everlasting God” was honored by ASCAP as one of the most performed songs in the USA in 2007 across all genres, marking the first time that a worship song has been recognized with such an honor.
 
Raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Brenton attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes scholar studying political, philosophical and theological coursework before discovering a new style of worship spearheaded by the Vineyard Church and eventually participating in the movement’s first recordings led by worship leader Brian Doerksen, Come Now Is The Time and Hungry.  Brenton also co-produced two Vineyard UK recordings, Surrender and Holy, and was worship pastor at the Oxford Vineyard, UK.  Brenton now resides in Malibu, CA as his songs reverberate around the world.  In addition the songs mentioned above, Brenton has written such modern classics as “Your Love is Amazing” and “Humble King.”
 
More information on Brenton can be found at www.BrentonBrown.com.

This is a song by Brenton Brown/Ken Riley written using Isaiah 40’s words that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and rise up on the wings of eagles.

The song also embraces the prophet’s (and God’s) desire for justice for those in need–the weak and poor. For me, these needy and weak persons can be both us who sing these songs in worship and those who are poor in other ways. In either case our salvation is tied up together–in helping save others lives (not simply ’souls’ but a more holistic salvation) through mission and service and evangelism–we also receive God’s salvation.

This subject of “waiting” is a popular one in the prophetic literature and in the Psalms. But, this type of waiting is (in my opinion) not what some would call christian “quietism” in the sense of passive waiting upon God to act or speak. This was a popular doctrine in catholic and protestant circles in the 17th century.

John Wesley, the Anglican priest and father of Methodism, said that christians must “attend to the ordinances of God.” That is that people striving to follow the ways of Jesus should actively wait upon God by going where God is conveyed. (And yes God is everywhere, but the argument can be made that God is better revealed and made known to us in certain places, spaces, and actions. In this is we who need a change of venue or pace in order to recognize the God that is ever-present.)

If you take a moment to think about where and how you have experienced God–in a moment, a place, or an action–you may discover a touchstone or ordinance (religious rite) that helps keep you in love of God and neighbor. How do you keep that ordinance or touchstone in your daily life now?

As one of my favorite seminary professors Rex Matthews has said of our participation in God’s work–if you want to catch the bus, you go to a bus stop…if you want to hear from/experience God, go to where God is.

Many experience this place/space at church in worship, communion, singing, praying, in conversation with friends and family, or in other ways. Whatever/where-ever it is, find it and go to it often. This is what John Wesley was talking about–where and how do you find/connect to God and what God is doing in, through, with and, even, in spite of you?

It is in our “active waiting“ in that place/space/event that we find strength to live and move and act in the world in ways that express the Love of Jesus Christ God.

chords and words for Everlasting God

Here are the songs that we worshiped with this Sunday, December 20th, the fourth Sunday in Advent:

“Angels We Have Heard on High” – traditional French carol translated into English by James Chadwick (Amazon / iTunes)

“Everlasting God” -  Brenton Brown and Ken Riley (Amazon / iTunes)

“What Child Is This?” – words by William Dix; 16th century traditional English melody Greensleeves (Amazon / iTunes) – this is a version from Third Day’s “Christmas Offerings” album

“Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)” – Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash (Amazon / iTunes) – I really like this new song off of Chris Tomlin’s new album “Glory in the Highest.”

Worship Team – Scott Hobbs, Helen Havens, Waneta Chaffinch, Barry Chaffinch, Miguel  Aviles, Tent Smith, Rob Westbrook

• Joy to the Wold – by Issac Watts (Chris Tomlin Arrangement)
• Everlasting God – by Brenton Brown
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing – by Charles Wesley
• Jesus Our Emmanuel – by Scott Hobbs
• Alleluia – by Jerry Sinclair (“God is with us” verse added)
• Silent Night (Stille Nacht)- by Franz Xaver Gruber, John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr
• All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – by Donald Yetter Gardner

Isaiah 40:28-41:4 (New King James Version)

²⁸ Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
³¹ But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41

Israel Assured of God’s Help

¹ “Keep silence before Me, O coastlands,
And let the people renew their strength!
Let them come near, then let them speak;
Let us come near together for judgment.
² “ Who raised up one from the east?
Who in righteousness called him to His feet?
Who gave the nations before him,
And made him rule over kings?
Who gave them as the dust to his sword,
As driven stubble to his bow?
³ Who pursued them, and passed safely
By the way that he had not gone with his feet?
⁴ Who has performed and done it,
Calling the generations from the beginning?

‘ I, the LORD, am the first;
And with the last I am He.’”

This Quiet Time brings back memories. At the Tenth Avenue North/Brenton Brown/Audrey Assad Concert, Brenton said something really nice – in fact one of his songs is based on this Quiet Time! Some time ago, Brenton and his wife became pretty ill, making them easily tired, and making it hard for them to do what they wanted. During this time of frustration, however, they read this passage, and these few verses are the basis of Brenton’s song (written at the time) “Everlasting God”! (Which is a GREAT song!): “He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” (v. 29-31)

This is an AMAZING message! We cannot trust in others or in ourselves because, as humans, we will fall, we will become weary. When Brenton and his wife fell ill, they were young. They still are now! You will fall; others will fall, but God will never fall. He will never faint, or grow weary, or let us down. He is the One we should put our hope in!

God bless.

Pray for those who are spreading Christ’s word and love, and for those who are striving to find Him.

Marina.

Please keep the following in your prayers:

Mike Ibrahim

My family

Um, where to start. Can I even remember what happened 2 weeks ago? Well, I know from an equipment and logistics standpoint, it was a nightmare. For miscellaneous reasons, we had a LOT to overcome in order to pull the service off. But, God is bigger than us and any equipment we can throw at Him, so of course…we were able to have a service with no problems!

From a music standpoint, we had more of a stripped down instrumentation. For various reasons, it ended up just being a 3 Piece Band. Me, Matt on Drums, and BJ on Bass. It actually went very well and was a nice change of pace.

So, here was our setlist…

Let God Arise (Chris Tomlin)

Salvation’s Chorus (Todd Fields)

Everlasting God (Brenton Brown)

It Is Well (Todd Fields)

God Of This City (BlueTree /Tomlin Version)

Uncontainable (Lee McDerment)

Sorry this was so late…

Josh

Greetings!

Evangelistic Temple in Palestine, TX is called “The Church of New Beginnings”.  We are seeing many new faces and that is always a good thing.  Alright…enough babbling.  If you want to see what other churches and worship leaders are singing in their churches then go here:  http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/10/25/sunday-setlists-66/

Ok.  Here is the set list for today:

Glory to God – Fee

This is the 2nd week to do this one.  We decided to do it as the walk in song today.

Greeting from Dr. Barry Roberts

How Can I Keep From Singing – Tomlin

Everlasting God – Brown

Baptism/baby dedication

Mighty to Save – Morgan

You Are Near – Hillsong

Message: Dr. Barry Roberts

Altar:

Through It All – Hillsong

What did your church do today?  Let me know what you think about out set.

The Band: (twitter name: PassageNorth)

Darren – Vocals

Cavin – Bass (PNBassist)

Jason – Drums (Jayhoss)

Danna – Keys/Bgvls (Praisingfreedom)

Vicki – Keys

Johnie – Acoustic

Terry – Acoustic

Brad – Electric (Fit2praise) Check out his blog new blog about helping worship leaders and musicians get in great physical shape on the road or in their homes.www.fit2praise.blogspot.com

Metro Gnome – Well…he’s the clickety, clickety, in our ears every Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by today. God Bless!

BIG NEWS PEOPLE!

In March of this year 2 of some incredible blogging buddies of mine and I kicked off a fun project called the Joint, where we reviewed music in a ‘multi-personality’ format. We’ve had a ton of fun with it. I’ve been stoked to be a part of it and get to know these guys better and interact with ya’ll around the subject of music.

Well we’ve picked up another voice and now 4 of us are cranking out the music reviews. Up most recently has been the review of Fee’s Hope Rising. Before that we had Brenton Brown, Todd Agnew, David Crowder*Band just to name a few. It’s our hope and desire that through the voices of 4 different fellas putting in their thoughts into a review with a brief synopsis, a bottom line verdict, and our own personal favorite tracks and songs that we think could help your worship services that you’d enjoy an incredible introduction to some new and familiar artists!

Some of you have already picked up on it but I’m stoked to announce that the Joint Review has gone “official” and moved from this:

to this:

HAHA!

AND we’ve gone from reviews showing up on our individual blogs to our very own website that can be found at www.thejointreview.com. Check out the music. Show some love and spread the word.

Thanks ya’ll!

• Praise Is Rising – Paul Baloche / Brenton Brown
• For Who You Are – Marty Sampson

I introduced Praise Is Rising tonight.  I’ve been meaning to play it for ages and was reminded again recently when I reviewed the new Brenton Brown CD.  Everyone seemed to like the song, so it will definitely make the setlist for our 2nd preview service.

There is only one week left now to Oct 11 and we still need a drummer!  No panic!

Update Oct 05, 2009: We have a drummer.

(story church)

This Sunday we will use the following songs to corporately express our worship to God and prepare our hearts and minds to hear from Him:

Lifter of My Head written by Quentin Lozano and found on Freddy Rodriguez’ album Light In The Darkness.

I Really Love You by Norman Hutchins on his album Where I Long to Be.

Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) by Brian Doerksen and Brenton Brown. Found on the album Live Vineyard Worship: Winds of Worship-Come Now Is the Time.

If Not For Your Grace by Aaron Lindsey and Israel Houghton. Found on the Israel & New Breed album A Deeper Level.

Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King written by Robert Robinson adapted by Thomas Miller. The song is found on the Gateway Worship album Living For You.

All songs are available for individual download on itunes, Amazon.com or on CD at most Christian music retailers.

This blog will be taking part in the “Sunday Setlist Carnival“

I had the privilege to lead worship at Mercer Creek Alliance Church again yesterday. This is my third trip up there to lead worship, and I have to say I love leading worship hear, they have a great team, great tech people, and their auditorium is also wonderful. This time around was extra special, I recruited my wife, Amy, to sing as part of the team. This weekend (Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th) is the Ellensburg Rodeo, which is a huge deal, because of this it limited the number of team members available, so instead of having me sing alone I recruited my wife. She has done this a few times, normally in a bigger team where she might be able to hide her voice, but I kinda forced her to sing a little more boldly! She did great, she surpassed her expectations and everyone seemed to really enjoy her voice, she had a number of people comment to her about it, and I hear one person even asked if she had a CD available. When she is on, she is that good. Anyway, here is our set list:

Trying to Make You Sing (2nd service only) – David Crowder*Band

I Saw the Light – Hank Williams Sr.

Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing) – Brenton Brown & Brian Doerksen

Here I Am to Worship – Tim Hughes

How He Loves – Mark McMillan (David Crowder*Band arrangement)

How was your worship weekend?

TENTH AVENUE NORTH HEADLINES ‘INSIDE AND IN BETWEEN’ TOUR
New Artist of the Year Sells Out Multiple Dates Including Indianapolis, Chicago, Houston & Atlanta as “Hold My Heart” Continues to Climb Radio Charts

(Nashville, Tenn.) September 3, 2009 – Tenth Avenue North, the reigning GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year, hits another milestone in a soaring career by launching its first headlining tour this week in Indianapolis.  The “Inside and In Between Tour,” currently scheduled in 14 cities through September, kicks off on Thursday, September 3, at Indianapolis’ Lifepoint Church.  Joining Tenth Avenue North on all dates will be singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (EMI/CMG) and worship leader Brenton Brown (Survivor/Kingsway).  
 
The tour is the latest evidence of Tenth Avenue North’s steady ascension since the May 2008 release of its debut, Over and Underneath (Reunion Records), which made them the best-selling new Christian artist of 2008 and is moving strongly toward the 175,000 sales mark holding on to a No. 9 chart position last week.  The album’s breakout single, “By Your Side” – which has surpassed 800 million cumulative impressions – enjoyed a 43-week stay in the Top 10 on the AC Monitored chart and reached No. 1 on the R&R AC Indicator and CHR charts, making Tenth Avenue North the only new artist in the past year to have two multi-format No. 1s.
 
Follow-up single “Hold My Heart,” tallying 10 million impressions weekly, has proved to be another double-chart smash (currently No. 8 AC Monitored and No. 4 CHR), distinguishing the band as the only artist this year to place two songs simultaneously in the AC Monitored Top 10. 
 
“’Hold My Heart’ is quality music, with a quality message!  At one time or another, we will all be in a place crying out to God asking Him to make His presence known in our lives.  Tenth Avenue North paints that picture beautifully,” says Michael Grimm, KLJC -FM/Kansas City.
 
Tenth Avenue North’s victory at the 2009 GMA Dove Awards in the New Artist category – an honor voted by industry and fans – underscored its growing reputation as an intensely fan-connected band that is “part of a new wave of artists breathing life into the CCM format” (Don Schaeffer, WVFJ-FM/Atlanta).
 
Ed Lomnicki of Chicago-based Edan concerts (www.edanconcerts.com) shares, “One of the main reasons I wanted to bring Tenth Avenue North into our market was because of the excitement the band created at this year’s Ignite Chicago Festival. They really connected with the crowd and I got a good sense of their passion and love for the Lord. These guys simply have an ability to be transparent with their audience…This may explain why we sold out in just 2 weeks!”
 
The title of the tour comes from a lyric in the song “Times,” from Over and Underneath: “My love is over, it’s underneath, it’s inside, it’s in between,” as it speaks of Christ’s love for us.   According to lead vocalist Mike Donehey, the Inside and In Between experience is designed “to remind people of the audacious grace and impenetrable love offered to them through Jesus Christ.  Our hope with this tour is that people would encounter truth, and be moved and changed by that truth.  We want this to be a place and a time that people can experience community.”
 
 
Over and Underneath Tour Dates:
9/3 – Indianapolis, Ind.                         Lifepoint Church          
9/4 – Lake Zurich, Ill.                           Harvest Bible Church
9/9 – Papillion, Neb.                             Sumter Amphitheater at Walnut Creek
9/10 – Oklahoma City, Okla.                Oklahoma City Faith
9/11 – Carrollton, Texas                       First Church Carrollton
9/12 – San Antonio, Texas                    TriPoint Club
9/13 – Baytown, Texas                         Second Baptist Church
9/15 – Columbia, S.C.                          Columbia Metro/First Baptist Church
9/16 – Cartersville, Ga.                         The House of Rock/Oakleaf Church
9/18 – Silver Spring, Md.                      Immanuel’s Church
9/19 – Middleton N.J.                           New Monmouth Baptist Church
9/20 – Glen Allen, Va.                           Mount Vernon Baptist Church

*Itinerary is subject to change without advance notice.

Lyrics:  Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown

Picture: shadowkill

Wow, what a day.

I am still amazed and extremely grateful that God works in spite of us. Sunday was just “one of those days” for me. I woke up excited about the day, got ready headed to the XL building and it all went downhill for me. I honestly feel like Satan is really attacking Life Church right now. We have had NUMEROUS people come to know Christ in the past several weeks and anytime you’re making an impact for Christ, Satan’s gonna get upset. There’s not a doubt in my mind that the avenue Satan has been using this past week has been to attack the staff. Sunday was tough. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve felt as “off” as I did Sunday. Lots of issues to overcome and some we didn’t overcome. We had camera issues, so the video we recorded wasn’t usable, so no video for this week! Anyway, like I said…I felt like it was an off day, but you know what…God didn’t! There were 5 salvations this week!!!

So, here is the set list…(sorry no commentary this week)

Uncontainable (Lee McDerment)

Song of Hope (Robbie Seay Band)

Everlasting God (Brenton Brown)

Your Love (Chrystina L. Fincher)

-Jason’s Message-

Lift High (Eddie Kirkland)

Alive and Running (Kristian Stanfill)

So tell me, what’s your favorite song right now (worship song or not)??

Josh

this post is part of the “Sunday Setlist” blog carnival over at FredMcKinnon.com. Go check it out!

Hey a new song I stumbled upon to encourage you throughout the week.  Enjoy! =D

HALLELUJAH YOUR LOVE IS AMAZING
Brenton Brown
Key: G
Tuning: standard
Source: ultimateguitar.com

Verse 1:
               G2/B                Csus2
Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging,
               Dsus                   Csus2
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet,
               G2/B                    Csus2
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me,
             Dsus                  Csus2
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me.

Chorus:
      G          Dsus
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
      Em7  Csus2
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing,
       G          Dsus
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
     Em7   Csus2
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing.

Verse 2:
                 G2/B                  Csus2
Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising,
                   Dsus                  Csus2
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me,
            G2/B                        Csus2
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through,
                   Dsus                   Csus2
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me.

Bridge:
D                Em7     D/F#
  Yes, You make me sing,
                  Csus2
Lord, You make me sing, sing, sing,
D                Em7     D/F#
  How You make me sing.

Ever had one of those Sundays where everything is just kicking?  That is what happened today at Evangelistic Temple, but it started last weekend and continued into this one.  There were 10 baptisms this morning!  What a testament to what God is doing here in our church.

I’m excited to say that this blog is a small part of Fred’s Sunday Setlist blog over at his website www.fredmckinnon.com

The Players:

Darren Goodman – lead vocals

Cavin Dorsey – Bass/music director

Jason Stringfield – Drums

Danna Hafner – Keys/bgvls

Vicki Stringfield – keys

Terry Garner – Acoustic

Brad Hafner – Electric Guitar

Walk In: Bless Your Name – Jeremy Riddle

Pastor’s Greeting

Everlasting God – Brenton Brown

Mighty to Save – Laura Story (We played the Michael W. Smith version)

Today was the first time that we played this one for our congregation.  It was received very well.  In fact this is the first of 2 new songs that we introduced today.

Prayer/Offertory

Testimony: Glenna Kenner

It’s so cool when God uses something like praise team rehearsal to answer prayers.  That was the case earlier in the week with this next song.  Glenna had been listening to this song for a while in her car and praying about a new ministry that God put on her heart.  God has been more quiet to her as of late and then she heard us practicing this last Tuesday night.

While I’m Waiting – John Waller (from the Fireproof soundtrack)

Message:  Dr. Barry Roberts – “Engaging our Culture” Part 1

Barry delivered a great message.  If you want to hear it go to www.etpalestine.com and click on sermon connect.

Altar:

In Need – Ross King

Here I Am To Worship - Tim Hughes

There was at least another salvation declared today at the end of the service.  Sometimes it is hard to hear with the in ear monitors.

Thanks for tuning in to the blog.  Leave me a comment if you wish.  You can also find me on Facebook (bradhafnersfa) or on twitter (fit2praise).

Keep the Son in your eyes,

BRAD

Are you a Pastor at a church in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area? Would you like to host the Tenth Avenue North concert on Friday, September 11th? We are looking for a church that seats 1000+.  There is no cost to the church and the church will receive a portion of the ticket sale revenue. Promotions will be handled through a local Christian radio station. Ticket sales will be handled by the promoter. Contact Jennifer at 903-262-0765 or jennifer@winnevents.com for more information.

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Scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th and Wednesday, October 21st at the Northland Church in Orlando, Florida, The National Alpha Conference is for churches and individuals who share the vision to reach their communities with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Learn from speaker Nicky Gumbel, Senior Pastor of Holy Trinity Brompton, London and experience powerful worship led by Christian songwriter an d worship leader, Brenton Brown. Bear Grylls, host of “Man vs.Wild” series on the Discovery Channel™ will also be joining us.

CONFERENCE FEATURES

• Complete training in how to run the Alpha course.

• A tailored program for all experiences from those wanting to find out what the Alpha course is to those wanting to improve or expand their Alpha ministry.

• Plenty of time for worship, ministry and a chance to meet others with similar passions.

For more information or to register for this upcoming conference go to:  http://www.alphausa.org/Groups/1000041726/National_Alpha_Conference.aspx