So this week we took a chance and did something unique. It may not be much of a unique thing to many churches across the country...but to Grace, it was something different. We re-introduced the Grace choir to the church this week. I say "re-introduced" because it's really something we've had...it's just been on an extended hiatus. The last time a choir was onstage at Grace was back on March 26, 2006. Our last day at Blue Valley Middle School...one week before moving into our facility at 159th and Antioch. Check out the post from that Sunday here.
Our approach to the choir is really a goal of adding an element unique to the worship services and the music that we currently do. We didn't do anything like "God Bless America" or the "Hallelujah Chorus" (for some reason when I hear the word "choir" I think of choral music like that) but kept the music the band would do with or without them adding a layer to the sound...a "garnish" if you will. And man the plate was filled with garnish! They sounded great! One thing missing...more male vocals. We only had 3 males out of the 11 vocalists. So if you're a male Gracer out there that can keep a tune, email me and we'll get the application mailed out to you. There is an audition involved but I try and make it as painless as possible...no Simon Cowell.
Another note - I realized this was the first time we've had pretty much all of our worship team on
the stage at one time. We were missing the likes of Brian King, Gina Walton, Jimmy Luv (bass playa'), Jim Williams (utility bass & guitar playa') Michael Foley (my worship leading compadre') and Scott Stanley (utility audio lead, bass & guitar playa'). Since there were so many of us up there, I thought I'd take a snapshot of all those beautiful Grace worship team members at one time and share their mugs with all you BabuLife readers. On to the recap...
Message
Week 2 of our Ruth series called "Choices". Tim laid out the challenge to all of us to consider our attitudes when faced with trials. Are you a "Mara" or a "Ruth". Does bitterness control your heart? Great message to listen to here.
Music
Chris Jones stepped in on the bass guitar this week and did a FABULOUS job! This was his first week playing and he came ready to play. I imagine it might be intimidating joining the band. There's so much music to learn and then you've got the whole issue of "gellin'" with the team. He didn't skip a beat. Jimmy Luv...hope you enjoyed your hunting getaway! Great job to the band for rolling with the whole choir factor this week. And to Scott and Rob on audio...THANK YOU! I know it's not easy to manage audio with an additional 11 vocalists onstage. You did great!
Here's our worship setlist from Sunday. Don't forget, you can purchase the songs on iTunes by clicking the titles below:
- Jesus Messiah (B) by Chris Tomlin - Awesome choir song. With the added element towards the end of the song, this is a perfect tune for additional vocalists. Try it on your worship team.
- Mighty to Save (A) by Hillsong United - Another perfect tune for choirs to sing with the lead. I had them join in on the second verse and from there on they belted the tune out. I love cutting out on the chorus after the bridge when the instruments fall away. Hearing the congregation sing it out is awesome...even better with a choir behind you.
- Shout Unto God (D) by Hillsong United - Not much to say here...no better way to "Shout to God" than with another 11 voices.
- How Great is Our God/How Great Thou Art (C) by Chris Tomlin - This tune is really now a worship classic even though it's only 4 years old. With a chorus like this one has, there's no better song for a choir (ok..maybe there is...but this one's up there). Lots of positive feedback on adding the "How Great Thou Art" tag at the end. Our longtime church folks enjoyed that quite a bit. To think...I almost dropped it to save time.
- Glory in the Highest (C) by Chris Tomlin - We pulled this one out for the first time this week. It's always been in our hip pocket for when the choir would join us onstage. They didn't come in until the end after the bridge. Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean...it's pretty powerful. (sidenote: I think the band almost has the entire Tomlin album "See the Morning" learned. Should we just round it out and learn the last two?)
Thanks to everyone involved in making Sunday happen. To all of you out there who may have been inspired to join the choir...it's NOT TOO LATE. Even if you've received the WST Volunteer Application and didn't turn it in, go ahead and send it if you want to join us. Shoot me an email if you're interested and I'll have one mailed out to you.
See you Sunday!
-Babu
Check out other worship leader recap's on Fred McKinnon's site here.
