Sunday Setlist :: 2-7-10

Who is invited to the table with Jesus?

Today, we looked at Mark 14:12-31 - Judas' betrayal, The Last Supper, & Jesus prediction of the failure of Peter and all the disciples.

So, who is invited to the table? Thankfully it's people who fail Jesus, others and themselves. Because Jesus' broken body and shed blood saves people who fail. Listen to the message online.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Seth on piano, Cris on keys, April and Bren on vox, Philip on acoustic guitar and vox, and Travis on acoustic guitar and vox. VOCAL TEAM: Kelley, Julie B, Lisandro, Danielle, and newbies Bryan and Angela (great job y'all!) TECH: Rocky - Lights and production, Marcelo - audio, Scott - graphics, Sarah - stage manager & Trent - audio assistant.

Morning Setlist (song titles link to iTunes - artist, not the songwriter, is listed):

• Today Is The Day - Paul Baloche [C] - I like Lincoln Brewster's version better, but Paul's feels a little more congregational. We introduced this as a new song, and I plan to use it all month.
• Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill [Bb] - I could easily "overplay" this song. I never get tired of it. I hope the people aren't!
  
• How He Loves - David Crowder [Bb] - Week 2 of How He Loves - this time with no upfront explanation. I have some good comments on this song. But I also appreciated a comment from someone who couldn't relate to God's love being like a hurricane, because hurricanes are destructive.
  
• Offering Song: The Love of God - Mercy Me [Bb-C] - I talked about this song in the service. The language is archaic, but I love the picture this hymn writer gives us in this verse: Could we with ink the oceans fill/And were the skies of parchment made/Were every stalk on earth a quill/And every man a scribe by trade/To write the love of God above/Would drain the oceans dry/Nor could the scroll contain the whole/Though stretched from sky to sky
  
• Communion Songs: The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe (Gateway Worship) [D] & The Wonderful Cross - Michael W. Smith [D]

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com

Read Pastor Neil Tomba's blog.

Were you at any of the services? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 1-31-10

Sunday was a long and rewarding day. By the time I got home, I was dog tired. Today I'm dog tired. But it's the tired that you feel good about. The kind you feel after a hard day's work.

Now for the review of yesterday [morning and evening services].

Sunday we picked back up with our Book of Mark series, Jesus We Want What You Want. In November we left off at the end of Mark 13, so Jeremy and Jennifer and friends made a recap video that was absolutely ridiculous - in the good sense. Check it out.

Neil's message from Mark 14:1-11 was about worship -- Worship Jesus Wants. It was a great promo for our worship night, which was awesome. Thanks to everyone who came out on Sunday night.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Seth on piano, Linda on keys, Jeremy on loops, Danielle and Julie P. on vox, and Travis on acoustic guitar and vox. TECH: Rocky - Lights and production, Marcelo - audio, Pheba - graphics, Mike - stage manager.

Morning Setlist (song titles link to iTunes - artist, not the songwriter, is listed):

• Hosanna - Paul Baloche [G] - Thanks again Paul Baloche for writing some easily accessible upbeat songs! This is a good call to worship. Praise is rising/eyes are turning to You/we turn to You.
• Mighty to Save/The Stand - Northwest Worship Live [A] - We did the version we recorded a year and a half ago, and I think it's still a congregational favorite. If I knew the term at the time, I might have called this the "Mighty To Save Mash-Up"
• Take My Life - Chris Tomlin [D] - This is a great re-work of a hymn. I especially like the way Tomlin used all 6 verses of the hymn by combining them into 3 double length verses with an alternate melody. All the words are good. I sometimes wonder about the refrain - Here am I/All of me/Take my life/It's all for Thee. I like it, but I wonder if it grates on the people who struggle connecting with worship that's overly repetitive.
• Offering Song: Beautiful - Kari Jobe [D] - Julie P. led this (with the scripture reading in middle by Aaron and Rita). She got applause in both services. People at our church are funny about applause - so they obviously liked it a lot. Go Jules!
• Response Songs: How He Loves - David Crowder [Bb] - After much anticipation we finally introduced this song. I went with the Crowder arrangement and used "unforseen kiss." I loved singing it. I admit I closed my eyes most of the time, but I *think* it went well. Anyone there with a comment? Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill [Bb] - We only had time for this 3rd service, but we went right of How He Loves into O Praise the One who paid my debt/And raised this life up from the dead. Good moment.
  

Sunday night team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Seth on piano, Cris on B3 & keys, Jeremy on loops, Danielle and Bren on vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox, and our Vocal Team: Lisandro, Dave, Jonny, Julie P, Julie B, Ann, Kelley and April. TECH: Rocky - Lights and production, Justin- audio, Sarah - graphics, Trent - stage manager.

Evening Setlist (song titles link to iTunes - artist, not the songwriter, is listed):

• Come Thou Fount [D-E]
• Glory To God Forever - Fee [Bb] - After signing this all month, people jumped in and owned it!
• Blessed Be Your Name -Matt Redman [Bb] - But just in case we went to this old standby to connect with as many people as possible.
  
• Hosanna -Hillsong United [D] - Bren led this. Powerful song. Great for a night of worship and prayer.
  
• How Deep the Father's Love For Us -Sarah Sadler [D] - Bren led this as well. For time's sake, I almost cut this. But from what I could tell, people really sang out on it. I'm glad I left it in the set.
  
• Message
• How He Loves -David Crowder [Bb] - This was one of our "moments" of the night. Wow.
  
• Breathe -Kathryn Scott [Bb] - Another oldie but goody - this was another "moment" for me.
  
• Prayer Time
• Revelation Song - Gateway Worship [E] - This was our official closing song and it was powerful. After the song I dismissed everyone and said, "Your dismissed but we're going to play one more song if you want to stick around." People did.
  
• Song of Hope -Robbie Seay Band [B] - We cut loose on this one. I put the guitar down to do my best pogo stick impression ... and I wasn't the only one!
  

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Read Pastor Neil Tomba's blog.

Were you at any of the services? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 1-24-10

I really enjoyed leading worship today. This was one of those days where we had the time for a longer main set. It was a good time.

We heard a great message today from church member/missionary/Bible translator David Bendor-Samuel. It was called A God-Given Ambition, and should be posted here by Monday afternoon.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services yesterday.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Seth on keys, Linda on piano, Philip on acoustic guitar and vox, Jeremy on loops, Marcy and Bren and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox, and our vocal team - Danielle, Julie B., April, Ann, Jonny & Lisandro.

Acoustic Band: Aaron on snare, Martin on upright, Philip on acoustic, Mitch on high strung acoustic, & Brady on dobro.

Setlist (song titles link to iTunes):

• Glory To God Forever - Fee [Bb] - 4 weeks in a row for this song. I've never done that before, but people seemed to really catch on with the song more each week. If you were there, what do you think? Are you getting tired of this song? Or did the repetition help?
• All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises - Lincoln Brewster version [G] - Great song. Great declaration.
• Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United [D] - Bren led this one, and it was a great moment.
• Come Thou Fount - Robert Robinson [D-E]
• Revelation Song - Gateway Worship [E] - Love this song! It takes me to another place.
• Offering Song - Knowing You - our own acoustic/country version [A] - Bren and Marcy did this one with the acoustic band. It was awesome!
  

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Read Pastor Neil Tomba's blog.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 1-17-10

Sunday was one of those funny days where we clearly had a spike in 2nd service folks. I'm sure it had nothing to do with a noon Cowboy game! ;-)

Neil concluded with part 3 of Read. Listen. Respond. Join us as we read through the New Testament this year. The readings will be posted on the blog, and you can sign up there to get a daily email.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services yesterday.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Cris on B3 and keys, Seth on piano, Philip on acoustic guitar and vox, Jeremy on loops, April and Bren and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox, and our vocal team - Danielle, Julie B., Marcy, Lea, Kelley & Lisandro.

Setlist (song titles link to iTunes):

• Glory to God Forever - Fee [Bb] - We kicked the service off with this song for the 3rd week in a row. I think it's catching on!
• Hosanna - Hillsong United [D] - Bren led this one for us. I love to see the worshippers fully engaged when we get to the bridge - Heal my heart and make it clean/Open up my eyes to the things unseen/Show me how to love like You have loved me.
• Word of God Speak - Mercy Me [Bb] - We wove several scripture readings in this one. Ps 29, Rev 3:20, Mt 4:4.
• Breathe - Kathryn Scott [Bb] - First, I love the original version of this song with Kathryn Scott. Second, this song and Draw Me Close are great reminders of how people love to sing songs they know and love.
• Draw Me Close - The Katinas [Bb]
• Offering - What Do I Know Of Holy - Addison Road [C] - Bren led this one with Philip on acoustic, Linda on piano, and Martin on harmonica.
• Response - Draw Me Close (reprise)

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Read Pastor Neil Tomba's blog.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 1-10-10

It was another great Sunday at Northwest. I felt like the congregation was engaged and energetic.

Neil continued with part 2 of Read. Listen. Respond. Join us as we read through the New Testament this year. The readings will be posted on the blog, and you can sign up there to get a daily email.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services yesterday.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Cris on B3 and keys, Linda on piano, Philp on acoustic guitar and vox, Danielle and Bren and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox, and our vocal team - Alana, Dana, Lea, Ann, Lisandro & Charlie.

Setlist (song titles link to iTunes):

• Glory to God Forever - Fee [Bb] - I *think* this song is starting to catch on. Regardless, I'm enjoying it! We're doing it again next Sunday, so we'll see.
• Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill [Bb] - Of all the hymn adaptations, I have 2 favorites. This one and Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone. I love this refrain O Praise the One Who paid my debt/And raised this life up from the dead.
• Take My Life (Holiness) - Sonicflood [F] - Since the message was about being changed by God's Word, this chorus felt like a great fit: Take my heart and form it/Take my mind transform it/Take my will conform it/To Yours to Yours oh Lord.
• Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone - Chris Tomlin [F] - My other favorite hymn adaptation! My chains are gone/I've been set free/My God, my Savior has ransomed me/And like a flood His mercy rains/Unending Love/Amazing Grace.
• Offering Song: Word of God Speak - Mercy Me - [Bb] Sometimes the obvious choice just works.
• Response Song: Ancient Words - Someone asked me after church about the lyrics. Here's a link to the lyrics for the Michael W. Smith version. On verse 2b we used the alternate lyrics from Lynn Deshazo's original: Martyr's blood stains each page/They have died for this faith/Hear them cry through the years/Heed these words and hold them dear.

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Read Pastor Neil Tomba's blog.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 1-3-10

What a joy and privilege it was to be leading worship to kick off the New Year. We drove home Saturday from a brief trip to Little Rock, AR where we spent New Year's with friends. I was excited to be part of launching our new series :: Read. Listen. Respond. Join us as we read through the New Testament this year. The readings will be posted on the blog, and you can sign up there to get a daily email.

I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services yesterday (and also did the offering song in the 1st service).

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, David (Aaron's brother-in-law - Thanks Dave!) on bass, Mitch on electric guitar, Cris on B3, Seth on piano, Danielle and Marcy and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

Setlist (song titles link to iTunes):

• Glory to God Forever - Fee [Bb] - We introduced this song, and I'm looking forward to kicking off the next couple weeks with it as well. I've been itching to do this song since I first played on it in November at a God of the City event at Bent Tree Bible. It's a simple song that get's right to it. This line says it all, "Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory."
• Open the Eyes of My Heart - Paul Baloche [E] - A classic song which helps us voice an important prayer - "Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see You."
• Revelation Song - Gateway Worship or Philips, Craig & Dean [E]
• Communion Bread Song - In Christ Alone with The Solid Rock - Northwest arrangement [D-E] - Marcy led us on this one.
• Communion Cup Song - Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong [D] - Danielle led us on this one.
• Offering Song - Ancient Words - Michael W. Smith [E] - I led this by myself from the piano. Confession - This song is perfect for the topic, but it's hard for me to get excited to do a full band version. The recorded versions all sound like bad imitations of the Titanic soundtrack. James Cameron has a new movie now. Will the next wave of worship songs sound like the Avatar soundtrack? Goodbye Celine Dion. Hello Leona Lewis.

Read set lists from other churches at TheWorshipCommunity.com.

Pastor Neil Tomba blogs about the service here.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions. What songs did you like and why? What songs do you not like and why? What songs would you like to sing this month/year?

Sunday Setlist :: 12-27-09

Sometimes these Sunday Setlists act as "Worship Confessionals." Today that feels appropriate.

The "Sunday after" ... Christmas, Easter, or any big event ... can often feel like a letdown. I didn't want it to. But for me it did.

I was tired from the previous week even though I got a good night's sleep the night before. We didn't have a mid-week rehearsal, so I intentionally designed a set I thought we could pull off without one. Overall everyone did fine. But we went without an electric guitar, and the music felt a little empty to me.

I also led worship in all three services which presented it's own challenges. I had to be onstage at 8:30 to lead the first service. I was back in the choir room at 8:45 to run through the second and third service songs, but I had to be in the wings at 9:15 to wait for the cue to end the first service. By 12:30 I was ready to go home and crash. Thankfully I did.

1st service team: Linda on piano, Travis on vox and acoustic guitar.

Setlist:

• All Hail The Power of Jesus Name [F]
• Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee [F]
• I Stand Amazed In The Presence [F]
• Offering song: This Is Our God [F]
• Response song: Carried To The Table [Bb]

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Mitch on bass, Cris on keys, Linda on piano, Danielle and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

Setlist:

• Famous One - Chris Tomlin [F]
• Mighty To Save - Hillsong [A]
• Healer - Kari Jobe [A]
• The Stand - Hillsong [A]
• You Are My King - [E]
• Offering Song: This Is Our God - Chris Tomlin [F]
• Response Song: Carried To The Table - Leeland [Bb]

Read set lists from other churches at FredMcKinnon.com

Pastor Neil Tomba blogs about the service here.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions.

Sunday Setlist :: 12-20-09

Christmas week was so busy (in a good way) that I never got around to posting the set list.

Here it is - short and sweet:

This week I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services.

Team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric gtr, Cris on keys, Seth on piano, Bren and Danielle on BGVs, and Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

• Song of Hope- Robbie Seay Band [B]
• O Little Town of Bethlehem/It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [F-Bb]
• It Is Well [Bb-C]
• I Celebrate the Day - Relient K [C] (with Silent Night/Away in A Manger)
• He Is With You - Ronnie Freeman [C]
• How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin [C] - One funny note here - I usually do this song in Bb as the Tomlin key is high for me and high for a congregation. This time I decided to do it in C since it flowed out of the previous song. In the 2nd service I did what I intended and started with "Name above all names" an octave down. Then I sang the verse and chorus normally - which created a nice build. In the 3rd service I forgot to do that and blasted into "Name above all names." Since I was up so high, I didn't really know where to go from there - so I fumbled around a little and eventually sang "Name above all names" low then high ... basically it was a rambling mess, kind of like this comment!

Sunday Setlist :: 12-13-09

Advent Sunday number 3 came together despite our lack of rehearsal. We spent our normal Wednesday night rehearsal time (as well as 3 hours on Saturday) rehearsing for the Christmas Special we did last night.

One thing that hit me in preparation for Sunday morning was how easy it is to sing the Christmas carols on auto-pilot. Though it's easy, it's risky. We miss so much when we don't connect with what we're singing.

The song that impacted me the most was Charles Wesley's "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing." I just timed myself, and I can recite the first verse in less than ten seconds without thinking about a word I'm saying. Ironic, considering the first word of the song means "listen attentively."

I confess. I can't remember singing that song and letting the weight of these words hit me or the the good news of them lift me up:

Mild, He lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

This week I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services.

Team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric gtr, Cris on keys, Seth on piano, Philip on acoustic gtr, Bren and vox, special guest Josh Ello on violin, and Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

Setlist:

• Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman [Bb]
• Angel Medley: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Wesley/Mendelssohn) [F-G] - Angels We Have Heard On High (Traditional French Carol/Chadwick/Barnes) [G] - Angels From the Realms of Glory (Montgomery/Smart) [A]
• We Fall Down - Tomlin [E]
• Jesus Name Above All Names - Hearn [E] - Transition to this was a little shaky. I had trouble getting into 3/4 in my head.
• He Is With You - Ronnie Freeman [C] This has become the theme song for this series. It wasn't intentional, but it's hitting home with lots of folks. (Unfortunately, Ronnie Freeman's version isn't available on iTunes. The link goes to Mandissa's version. Here are the lyrics.)

Read set lists from other churches at FredMcKinnon.com.

Pastor Neil Tomba blogs about the service here.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions.

Sunday Setlist :: 12-6-09

The second Sunday of Advent did not start as planned. One thing after another went wrong. It was one of those Sundays where I knew it could only be a great service in spite of us. I know it can be trite to say it like this, but God showed up.

The sermon was from Ecc. 4:4-12. Neil talked about choosing to press the stop button on the treadmill of life. The treadmill runs on competition/envy and greed. The treadmill steals rest and relationship. We can hit the stop button believing we have nothing left to prove. (Listen to the sermon.)

Part two of the drama was even better than week one. Our drama team is amazing! (see it here)

This week I led worship in the 2nd and 3rd services.

Team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric gtr, Cris on keys, Linda on piano, Philip on acoustic gtr and vox, Danielle and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

Setlist:

• Joy to the World - Isaac Watts [C-D] - It was the opener this week, so we country-fied it.
• O Come All Ye Faithful - Wade/Reading [G]
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Neale/Helmore [Em]
• Revelation Song - Jennie Riddle [E] - Originally Bren was going to lead this song, but she was sick. Now that I've led it twice, I think I'm stealing it back from Bren. (Hey Bren, you can keep Hosanna even though I like to lead that one too!)
• Emmanuel -Bob McGee [C]
  
• Two Sets of Joneses - [D] - This Big Tent Revival classic isn't everyone's flavor, but I think it was a great fit for service. (lyrics here)
  
• COMMUNION: Lead Me to the Cross - [Bm] - Danielle led this song for the first time and was awesome!
• OUTRO SONG: He Is With You - Ronnie Freeman [C] - This song is so powerful. We normally don't do an outro song, but I'm glad we did. Several people stayed in their seats to listen, and I could see people hugging and crying. It's a poignant song for people in many different phases of life.

Read set lists from other churches at FredMcKinnon.com.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions.

Sunday Setlist :: 11-29-09

Sunday was the first Sunday of the Advent season. We started a new series that will continue for 4 weeks: Eternity In Our Hearts.

Sunday's message was from Ecclesiastes 2:1 - The Search for Satisfaction. Listen to it here. Our drama team wrote original pieces for each week. This week's was awesome! Watch it here.

The highlight of the morning was a baptism we did only in the 3rd service. We normally don't do baptisms during Advent since the services are so full. I'm glad we made an exception!

My friend Matt has a son Ben who attends school in Austin. Over the past month or two, Ben met and befriended a homeless man, Wayne. Through Matt's and Ben's care in Wayne's life, Wayne came to Christ and was spending Thanksgiving in Dallas with his new friends. Wayne's baptism is a great reminder of the amazing love and pursuit of the Father.

I led worship in all 3 services this week.

1st service team: Danielle on vox, Cris on keys, Dr. Hansen on organ.

2nd-3rd service team: Aaron on drums, Brady on bass, Mitch on electric gtr, Cris on keys, Philip on acoustic gtr and vox, Danielle and vox, Travis on acoustic guitar and vox.

Setlist:

• Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman [Bb] (2nd and 3rd services only)
• Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Charles Wesley [D]
• Here Is Love - Matt Redman version of the classic hymn [F]
• O Come Let Us Adore Him - Wade/Reading [F-G]
• He Is With You - Ronnie Freeman [C] (Unfortunately, Ronnie Freeman's version isn't available on iTunes. The link goes to Mandissa's version. Here are the lyrics.)
• Joy To The World - Isaac Watts [C-D]

Read set lists from other churches at FredMcKinnon.com.

Were you at the service? I would love to hear your comments or questions.