Tutorial: Mighty to Save – Hillsong United

Short electric guitar tutorial by Gracepoint Fellowship Church’s Worship Team on how to play Mighty to Save by Hillsong United

Heart of Worship: Story behind the song

Here’s something I recently learned about Matt Redman’s song “Heart of Worship”. It’s a very moving and powerful song but the story behind it is even more amazing. You can read more about in an article here.

To summarize, the pastor of Matt Redman’s church decided the praise and worship time’s were losing their meaning and decided to remove the instruments and sounds system. They spent a period of time where the praise was purely voices, no band, no sound, just acapella. Though different and uncomfortable at first, it actually became a much more worshipful experience as the congregation no longer became distracted by the music, instruments, and sound but focused purely on the words.

This has been something I’ve always tried to do when I sing praise and one of the main things I preached to my band in Acts2fellowship Gold. What makes our worship times on Fridays and Sundays different from any other “rock” band out there are the words that we sing. Our words have meaning, they define who we are, who our God is and that should be our goal during times of praise. It’s not to sing nice rockin’ songs but the focus should be the words and letting that be tied to our desire to praise and worship God.

Dont’ get me wrong now, I’m not saying we lose our band because I love having praise! My prayer is that as a praise leader I’m able to help lead the congregation in a time of worship where the words we sing can connect with our hearts.

I’ll just end this post with some lyrics from the song…

When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come

Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless your heart…

I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus

 

You can listen to the song here:

 

Ander Chen – Acts2fellowship Gold Worship Leader

MYT 2009: Want to learn guitar? bass? electric?

Sign up for Gracepoint Fellowship Church’s 2009 MYT: Multiply Your Talents courses! Hurry, deadline to sign up is May 27th!

Check sign ups for the latest courses!

Multiply Your Talents Sign Ups

Tutorial: From the Inside Out – Hillsong United

Want to learn how to play From the Inside Out by Hillsong United on the electric guitar? Well our electric guitarist here at Gracepoint Fellowship Church, Mike put together a short tutorial to show you how, enjoy!

Sunday Recap: May 17th, 2009

WORSHIP SET:

Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin

Here is Our King / Everlasting God medley – Willow Creek

You’ll Come – Hillsong (from the album, This is Our God)

Gracepoint Fellowship Church Worship Team

Gracepoint Fellowship Church: Our Fearless Praise Leader

Thanks for all your hard work and dedication James!

Oh, and in case you are wondering this is a reunion of what was formerly CKG3…

Lessons from Leading Praise: Know the Song

Here’s one…

Lesson: Know the song before you try to teach it to the congregation.

I’ll never forget “Where the Love Lasts Forever” by Hillsong United. I was asked to learn it on a Tuesday morning, so that we could use it for that evening’s prayer meeting. I bought it, listened to it, figured out how to play it (it’s not that hard) sufficiently (or so I thought) for that evening.

That evening when prayer meeting began, I was particularly passionate in my prayer, shouting out my prayers against the background music that blasts out so that people can’t hear other’s prayers. But then came time to sing. We got to that song, and I started singing it, by myself, to introduce it. I fudged my way through the first verse, and then came to the chorus… stared at my chordsheet and then slowly stopped playing… silence… Paul (my good friend and our keyboardist sitting next to me on stage) gave me an odd look, more odd than he usually gives me.  I then said into the mic…

James: um… sorry, I can’t remember how this song goes…

Kelly Kang (leading prayer meeting, into her mic): oh.

Congregation: < some uncomfortable giggles >

James: Kelly, maybe you can sing it with me to refresh my memory?

Kelly Kang (Pastor Ed chuckling next to her): that’s ok… let’s just move on to the next song.

Congregation: < not so uncomfortable laughter >

James: ok… man, I KNEW this was gonna happen one of these days… OK, let’s sing this next one here.

Of course, I’ll never forget that song ever again.  But at that point, I just blanked. People were forgiving and I don’t think it ruined anybody’s prayer time that evening. At least I hope not.  Let’s just say I’m just glad I go to a church called GRACEpoint.

James Kim – Worship Director

Hillsong United New 2009 Album / Across the Earth :: Tear Down The Walls

Just a heads up that Hillsong United’s new 2009 album, [a_CROSS//the_EARTH] :: Tear Down The Walls, will be out May 26th, 2009.

Gracepoint Senior Sunday: Available to You

Last Sunday, our graduating seniors sang “Available to You” as a song of commitment to live lives of availability to God and to others. Just wanted to post the lyrics to the song and a picture of the seniors.

Available to You

You gave me my hands to reach out to men
To show him your love and your perfect plan
You gave me my ears I can hear your voice so clear
I can hear the cries of sinners, but can I wipe away their tears
You gave me my voice to sing your Word
To sing all your praises to those who’ve never heard
But with my eyes I see Your need for more availability
I see hearts that has been broken, so many people to be free.

Lord I’m available to You. My will I give to You.
I’ll do what You say do. Use me Lord
To show someone the way, and enable me to say
My storage is empty, and I am available to You

Now I’m giving back to You, all the tools You gave to me.
My hands, my ears, my voice, my eyes; so You can use them as You please.
I have emptied out my cup, So that You can fill me up
Now I’m free and I just want to be more available to You.

Congratulations, seniors!

Jesse on Sugar

We interrupt our normal posts to present you Jesse on Sugar! How is this praise related you ask? Easy! He’s carrying a ukulele isn’t he? I particularly like it when he talks to the pillow…enjoy and Happy Friday everyone!

Please feel free to comment as well!!