Worship leading is a dangerous task. Concerning the musical side of worship gatherings, churches and ministries assemble teams with a unique charge: Worship teams are the only type of musical producers in the world who are expected to give a quality offering without desiring a commending response. In every other setting in life, musical presentations are always meant for the applause …
We introduced “Open Up the Heavens” today. I love this worship song that comes from Isaiah 64:1. Lyrics We’ve waited for this day We’re gathered in your name Calling out to you Your glory like a fire Awakening desire Will burn our hearts with truth You’re the reason we’re here You’re the reason we’re singing Open up the heavens We …
I can’t lead you somewhere if I don’t know the way. While that admission seems like an obvious statement, its reality can be tragically forgotten in our churches. In worship, the desire is to respond to God via offerings of praise and thanksgiving. The gathering of God’s people is a needed pause from the routine in order to proclaim the goodness of …
I was never passionate about becoming a worship pastor, but I was passionate about becoming a pastor. So when our pastoral staff decided to restart our church’s focus with a blank page, I honestly had no idea where we would land. If I still had a job, I wasn’t sure what I would be doing. We had grown overwhelmed with the busyness of …
We introduced a song today called “No Longer Slaves.” While there are many versions of it, I love I Am They’s version they recently released. It was such a great song to sing today thinking about Romans 6: 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching …
You guitar players out there know how important it is to make sure you have the capo on the right fret when playing with a band. For you non-guitarists out there, allow Wikipedia to explain: A capo (short for capotasto, Italian for “head of fretboard”) is a device used for shortening the strings, and hence raising the pitch, of a …
We are introducing this great song from Psalm 67 this morning at North Side. As we prepare to send out another mission team, we want to maintain a global awareness as we worship. This song by Keith and Kristyn Getty is so complete in its theology and musicality. It’s great. It is on the fantastic album. “Facing a Task Unfinished.” …
Years ago, our church had two different styles of worship. We had a traditional service early in the morning, and we had two contemporary services at the later morning hours. We did both well. Everything was working fine. No complaints, no problems, right? We began to feel a burden to unite our church together greater than the desire to keep …
I first heard the story and the hymn, “Facing a Task Unfinished,” at a Keith and Kristyn Getty concert at First Baptist Columbia, SC. I wept. The story is incredible and I am so thankful that the Gettys are making it known at a greater level now. We need more missional songs and this song was birthed on the China …
We have been super encouraged from feedback regarding our latest North Side Worship album entitled, “The Old Rugged Cross.” This collection of 13 hymns was recorded on Easter weekend earlier this year. We have heard incredible stories of people sharing the music with friends and other churches beginning to sing the arrangements. Album Preview You can listen to snippets from …
This hymn has quickly become one of our team’s favorites as it has been rediscovered. Robert Harkness had an experience at an invitation with a young convert in 1906. The young man was unsure if he could “hold out” following Jesus and worried he would lose his grasp. He wrote to Ada R. Habershon and asked if she could write …
I have been overwhelmed with encouraging words concerning our latest release, “The Old Rugged Cross.” This 13-hymn collection was a live recording Easter weekend. It is incredible sounding! So amazed by the team God has put together with North Side Worship and so thankful for the way the worshipers sang out over the weekend. We have the album available at …
This weekend was incredible. We had 2 great nights of worship that we called “The Old Rugged Cross” followed by 2 incredible Sunday morning worship gatherings. As we prayed and thought through what we wanted to do on Good Friday and Saturday, we decided to do an Easter hymn-sing. The last few years we have done something very different. We …
Every year I am asked, “Is there childcare at your special Easter services?” I’m asked that about all worship services, but especially when we do something different like our upcoming nights of worship. While we will have optional, regular childcare during our Sunday morning services, we are intentional about not providing childcare during our special nights of worship on Good …
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross. Those iconic words compose the first line of a beloved hymn written by George Bennard in 1912. The words are powerful by themselves, but to know the story behind them takes the song to a deeper level. You see, George was converted by the gospel of Jesus Christ when he …
We want to invite you to our Easter weekend special worship services on Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 pm. This year’s worship nights will be called “The Old Rugged Cross.” Join us as we cherish the old rugged cross this Easter weekend. Using hymns of old, we will recount the sacrifice of Jesus and worship the risen King. You …
Greenwood Calendar is a site that seeks to promote what is good about our city. In addition to numerous news articles, they feature a band of the week. After hearing North Side Worship lead at the YMCA Prayer Breakfast, Robert Stevenson wanted to come over and shoot a video of one of our practices so that others could get a taste …
Tonight was amazing. Packed room of worshipers singing beautifully to the Lord. Our Christmas Eve service always seems to be one of my favorite nights of the year! The order of service: Communion and Messianic Scriptures What Child Is This – Hanna Eppley A Christmas Alleluia – Chris Tomlin Let There Be Light – Point of Grace Scripture Reading – …
“Fear Not” was written for “The Word” project to cover the incarnation of Jesus. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). Song Info We had finished writing all the songs for “The Word” project and “Fear Not” was not on there. We had …
We are introducing the song, “Good, Good Father,” this Sunday. The passage we are focusing on talks about the faithfulness of God. What I love about this song is it speaks to the need of so many out there who have a difficult time understanding God as Father. Due to what earthly fathers have done or not done, many have a …
Yesterday, we sang one of my favorite hymns entitled, “There Is a Fountain.” Written by William Cowper, it is a great message of redemption and the gospel. Before the last stanza, I stopped the band and told the story about the author and what makes the final stanza so powerful. Later that day, someone on the tech team asked ever-so-kindly …
Yesterday, we sang “Oh, the Deep, Deep Love” during communion. This song has become one of our church’s favorites over the last few months. I pray it will encourage you to reflect on the cross and the grace of Jesus. VERSE 1 Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free Rolling as a mighty ocean In its …
We sang “From the Day” tonight at the Gathering and on Sunday. Love this rootsy song from I Am They. It teaches the gospel and causes us to look towards eternity. Lyrics VERSE 1 When You found me, I was so blind My sin was before me, I was swallowed by pride But out of the darkness, You brought me …
We sang “This Is Amazing Grace” at the Gathering tonight. This song has plenty of recording options of it. We used a mixture of Phil Wickham’s and North Point’s. Great worship song. The chorus teaches the gospel very well. Lyrics [Verse 1:] Who breaks the power of sin and darkness Whose love is mighty and so much stronger The King …
We sang “Jesus, Son of God” at tonight’s Gathering service. I love this song from Chris Tomlin from sung at Passion a few years ago. This song is a great example of using powerful, gospel-telling lyrics with music that accompanies the lyrics well. Lyrics VERSE 1 You came down from heaven’s throne This earth you formed was not your home …
On Sunday night at the Gathering, the Peak Band lead one of my favorite songs. “All I Have Is Christ” is from Sovereign Grace Music and is a fantastic modern hymn. We have led it before, but it reminded me last night that we need to sing this song more often! We sang it after talking about how marriage was …
We introduced a hymn today from 1894 entitled, “In Tenderness.” Working at Fuge this summer, I heard Yeshua’s Brand cover the Citizens version of it but they had a lady sing lead. It just soared. Such great truths to such a driving arrangement. Richenda did a great job singing it for us today. Here is some information on the hymn, …
On Sunday, we introduced this fantastic modern hymn to our church by Keith and Kristyn Getty. “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” is deep lyrically and astounding musically. Pray it causes you to adore the Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every believer Lyrics Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring …
As we focused on 1 Thess. 5:19 today, we had a portion of the time worshiping the Holy Spirit. One of the songs we led today is “Holy Spirit” with the arrangement by Francesca Battistelli. Enjoy the lyrics and the song. Make it your prayer! LYRICS VERSE There’s nothing worth more That could ever come close No thing can compare …
As our church goes through the 3-year chronological study of the Bible using the Gospel Project, we have a memory verse for each unit. To help you and your family memorize Scripture, our worship team is composing and recording Scripture memory songs to help you hide God’s Word in your heart (Ps. 119:11). You can download the music, listen to …
We introduced “Love Come Down” from North Point Worship today. It is a great Southern song that shares the gospel well. Enjoy the video and the great lyrics. I am sure we will be singing this one again! Lyrics to Love Come Down CHORUS I will sing forever of Your love come down With my hands to heaven, shout Your …
“How Long, O LORD” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time of the exile and the longing for the Messiah. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). We knew that the last song of the Old Testament would have to …
“You Alone Are God” was written for “The Word” project to cover the doctrine of the Trinity and to worship every member of the Godhead. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). I wanted to address the Trinity, but where do you begin? …
“Return to Me” was written for “The Word” project to cover the expansive section of the Old Testament prophets. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). With 17 books associated with the Old Testament prophets and a wide-array of themes, this section was …
To conclude our services on prayer today, we sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Joseph Scriven wrote this hymn in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was across the sea from him in Ireland. It was originally published anonymously, and Scriven did not receive full credit for almost 30 years. I have always loved the words of this hymn. …
“The Ten Commandments” was written for “The Word” project to cover the pivotal nature of the Law in the Bible. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). You can’t really do a big picture of the Bible without addressing the Law – especially …
“Your Word” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time and the themes covered by the New Testament Epistles. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). “The Word” project was somewhat simple to begin songwriting on Creation, Exodus, Pentecost, etc. Big events …
“Our God Is With Us” was written for “The Word” project to cover the theme of God’s constant presence throughout the Old Testament. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). Many of the songs on this project had a definite event or time …
When North Side broke ground on our worship center, I was our College and Missions Pastor. In the middle the building’s completion, my job and responsibilities changed as I became the Worship Pastor. I suddenly began attending meetings with architects, designers, and engineers. Coming into the discussions late into the process, I often had questions or suggestions as I thought through the future …
“Amazed” was written for “The Word” project to cover the time covering Jesus’ ministry. “The Word” is a project by North Side Worship telling the grand narrative of the Bible. It is available at North Side (May 3, 2015) and iTunes (May 5, 2015). While the three years of Christ’s ministry was relatively short in relation to the scope of the entire biblical narrative, those years changed …
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