Tuesday, July 17, 2012

How to Write An Awful Worship Song (by Stephen Altrogge)

Ok, so this is the third time this title has been used to refer to an article by Stephen Altrogge (I'm sure the number will multiply.  But this is just too good not to pass along.)

See if this rings true to you:

How to Write An Awful Worship Song
by Pastor Riley's Blog

by Stephen Altrogge

So you finally learned to play the guitar and now you’re wondering, “How do I write a truly awful worship song?” You’ve come to the right place my friend. Here are some sure fire ways to write a truly horrible worship song.

Recycle A Love Song. Write a song for your girlfriend. When she breaks up with you, convert it into a worship song. Be sure to change all uses of “girl” or “baby”.

[This would be funny if it weren't so true.  Not only that but unfortunately these "love song" worship tunes usually lag far behind in quality to the real thing.  I haven't heard it, but I'm sure it's out there--The Christian version of "Call Me Maybe."  I cringe to think about it.--PQ]

Use Time Tested Rhymes. Make sure that you rhyme “love” and “above” at least twice. The song becomes doubly awful if you can also incorporate the word “dove”. Example: “You sent your love from above, makes my heart feel like a pure white dove.” You get the point.

[Oops.  Tire expressions can find their way into the pulpit too.  guilty--PQ]

Be Vague About Your Theology. Make sure to avoid any theology at all costs. Don’t talk about atonement, wrath, or any other biblical concepts. You want your song to be all about feeling. Don’t let the mind get in the way. Repeat after me: “Worship is a warm feeling, sort of like heartburn, only better.”

[Come on.  How can so many people be wrong.--PQ]

Make the Song All About You.  The main point of your song should be your experiences and how God makes you feel. Don’t bother with objective truth about God. I would suggest that you use the words “I” or “me” at least 12-15 times. For example, “I feel like singing, yes I feel like spinning, because You make me feel so good inside. Like it’s my birthday, but more awesome.”

[What can I say? I'm important!--PQ]

Be Incredibly Poetic. If you can, muddy the waters with poetic phrases that don’t make much sense. Example: “Your love is like a warm summer’s breeze, washing over my heart like a crystal river.”

[Hey!!! I got an A in high school for writing like that!--PQ]

Use Well-Worn Musical Progressions. If you can, keep your music and melody boring. I would suggest that you use no more than four distinct notes in a song, so that by the time someone is done listening to it they want to scream. A worship scream, but a scream nonetheless. It also helps if you use the chords G, C, and D over and over.

[mmmmmmmm Just like a Christian mantra!--PQ]

Defend Your Song Like It’s Your Firstborn Child. Do not, I repeat, do not, let anyone make suggestions for improvement. Tell people that God laid the song on your heart. Tell people that you really want to preserve the artistic integrity of the song. Tell people that you already did the song at your campus ministry and that a revival broke out. Don’t take advice from anyone.

[Oh, no wonder people get angry.  I didn't realize that I was commenting on their children.]

There you have it. Seven ways to write a terrible worship song. You can thank me later.

[So here you have it.  Your path to success with the teenyboppers of any age.
Blessings--PQ]




Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Preview of the Service for July 8, 2012


Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Stevensville, Michigan
July 5 & 8, 2012 7:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Learning the Living Liturgy:
The Invocation

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

As We Gather
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Everyone wants to belong. Where do you belong? Do you belong to the world? To sin? To death? To the Devil?
NO! You belong here! You were made a citizen of God’s kingdom through Holy Baptism. When you come to church and hear the words of the Invocation, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” you are reminded that you have left the world and have now come home to be with the family of God.
Much of the American life is based upon individualism. Unfortunately this has tended to bleed over into the Church. Too many people believe that Christianity is simply a matter of “Jesus and Me.” How sad it is to have forgotten that Christianity is a family affair. We are children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, the family of believers. The words of the invocation remind us of this and much, much more.



The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Name Name Name
Sunday 10:45 a.m.

HymnDearest Jesus We Are Here Hymn 592
Stanzas 1-4

Holy Baptism Page 268

HymnDearest Jesus We Are Here Hymn 592
Stanza 5

The 10:45 a.m. service continues with the Introit.


Confession and Absolution
Thursday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. services begin here.


Hymn ~All Christians Who Have Been Baptized Hymn 596

Stand
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Invocation Page 151

Confession and Absolution Page 151

Service of the Word

Introit

Oh, taste and see that the | Lord is good!*
Blessèd is the man who takes ref- | uge in him!
For the Lord has chosen | Zion;*
he has desired it for his | dwelling place:
This is my resting place for- | ever;*
here I will dwell, for I have de- | sired it.
I will abundantly bless her pro- | visions;*
I will satisfy her | poor with bread.
Her priests I will clothe with sal- | vation,*
and her saints will | shout for joy.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
Oh, taste and see that the | Lord is good!*
Blessèd is the man who takes ref- | uge in him!

Ps. 132:13–16; antiphon: Ps. 34:8

Kyrie Page 152

Salutation Page 156

Collect of the Day

P O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of Your heavenly treasures; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen

Sit

Reading from the Book of Concord
Luther’s Large Catechism
Baptism, 41-44

41 Therefore, every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to do all his life. For he has always enough to do by believing firmly what Baptism promises and brings: victory over death and the devil [Romans 6:3–6], forgiveness of sin [Acts 2:38], God’s grace [Titus 3:5–6], the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with His gifts [1 Corinthians 6:11]. 42 In short, Baptism is so far beyond us that if timid nature could realize this, it might well doubt whether it could be true. 43 Think about it. Imagine there was a doctor somewhere who understood the art of saving people from death or, even though they died, could restore them quickly to life so that they would afterward live forever. Oh, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain. No one could find access to him because of the throng of the rich! But here in Baptism there is freely brought to everyone’s door such a treasure and medicine that it utterly destroys death and preserves all people alive.
44 We must think this way about Baptism and make it profitable for ourselves. So when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”

Readings from Holy Scripture

Old Testament Reading Ezekiel 2:15
1He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

P This is the Word of the Lord
C Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowl- | edge of God!*
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable | his ways!
For from him and through him and to him are | all things.*
To him be glory forever. | Amen.
Rom. 11:33, 36

Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 12:110

1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

P This is the Word of the Lord
C Thanks be to God.

stand
Verse ~ Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? Page 156

Holy Gospel Mark 6:113

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 6th chapter
C Glory to You, O Lord.

1[Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.
7And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

HymnBaptized into Your Name Most Holy Hymn 590


Sermon
The Invocation:
Baptized People of God Gathering Together
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Nicene Creed Page 158

Prayer of The Church

Sit

The Gathering of Our Tithes and Sacrificial Offerings
(We request all who are present to sign the attendance book that is at the end of your row. Please pass this on to the person next to you.)

Stand

OffertoryAll Who Believe and Are Baptized Hymn 601

Service of the Sacrament

Celebration of Holy Communion

Preface Page 160

It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus ~ Holy, Holy, Holy Page 161
Prayer of Thanksgiving Page 161
Lords Prayer Page 162
Words Of Institution Page 162
Pax Domini ~ The Peace Of The Lord Page 163
Agnus Dei ~ Lamb Of God Page 163

Sit

Distribution Hymns
O, Lord We Praise Thee Hymn 617
Your Table I Approach Hymn 628

Stand

Post-Communion Canticle Thank the Lord Page 164

Post-Communion Collect Page 166
Benediction Page 166

Recessional ~Gods Own Child, I Gladly Say It Hymn 594

+ Silent Prayer +

All scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Reading from the book of Concord is from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition, Copyright 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Learning the Living Liturgy:
The Invocation

The Invocation goes by so quickly that it is easy to think that it is unimportant or unnecessary. Yet this is one of the most important parts of the Divine Service. The Divine Service is for the people of God. Here God gives us His gifts of life and salvation through word and sacrament. This is the place where God’s children come to receive these gifts.
The Invocation reminds us of our baptism. With these words we remember that this is where we belong. We are God’s children who have come to meet in our Father’s house and to be about our Father’s business.
For some, the Divine Service seems to have declined to the level of holy entertainment rather than a gathering together of the family of God. In some places congregations are divided into segments and groups according to their musical preferences. In some places children are forbidden from worshiping with their families in the Divine Service. Everyone chooses for himself how God will be encountered.
The Invocation reminds us how unhelpful these practices are. We are the family of God gathered in this place. Young and old, men and women, all have their place here. We encourage and strengthen one another with our presence. We all are poor, miserable sinners who have come to receive grace and blessings from our Lord and Savior.
May your worship with family of God be one in which the Living Christ gives you the gifts He won for you on the cross.
Pastor Quardokus


The Location of the Baptismal Font

The location of the baptismal font is not unimportant. In our sanctuary it is attached to the Altar in the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is God who works in and through baptism.
In some congregations the baptismal font is located in the center in front of the steps that lead into the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is through baptism that we enter into the family of God and are made acceptable to come into God’s presence.
In Europe, the baptismal font often occupies its own building outside the entrance to the church. This building is called a baptistry or baptistery. The fact that the font is located outside of the church is a reminder that no one may enter into true worship of God unless he or she has been received into God’s family through The Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In the last few decades some churches have located their baptismal fonts at the entrance to the nave. The emphasis here is similar to having a separate baptistery. (Both of our seminary chapels have located their fonts in this manner.) The font then is generally always filled with water enabling people to place their fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross in remembrance of their baptism.
The next time you visit another congregation take note of location of the baptismal font and ponder the message that is being sent by its position.
Pastor Quardokus

The Invocation: Baptized People of God Gathering Together

Here are some bulletin notes for "The Invocation: Baptized People of God Gathering Together"



As We Gather
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Everyone wants to belong. Where do you belong? Do you belong to the world? To sin? To death? To the Devil?
NO! You belong here! You were made a citizen of God’s kingdom through Holy Baptism. When you come to church and hear the words of the Invocation, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” you are reminded that you have left the world and have now come home to be with the family of God.
Much of the American life is based upon individualism. Unfortunately this has tended to bleed over into the Church. Too many people believe that Christianity is simply a matter of “Jesus and Me.” How sad it is to have forgotten that Christianity is a family affair. We are children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, the family of believers. The words of the invocation remind us of this and much, much more.

Reading from the Book of Concord
Luther’s Large Catechism
Baptism, 41-44

41 Therefore, every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to do all his life. For he has always enough to do by believing firmly what Baptism promises and brings: victory over death and the devil [Romans 6:3–6], forgiveness of sin [Acts 2:38], God’s grace [Titus 3:5–6], the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with His gifts [1 Corinthians 6:11]. 42 In short, Baptism is so far beyond us that if timid nature could realize this, it might well doubt whether it could be true. 43 Think about it. Imagine there was a doctor somewhere who understood the art of saving people from death or, even though they died, could restore them quickly to life so that they would afterward live forever. Oh, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain. No one could find access to him because of the throng of the rich! But here in Baptism there is freely brought to everyone’s door such a treasure and medicine that it utterly destroys death and preserves all people alive.
44 We must think this way about Baptism and make it profitable for ourselves. So when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”

Learning the Living Liturgy:
The Invocation

The Invocation goes by so quickly that it is easy to think that it is unimportant or unnecessary. Yet this is one of the most important parts of the Divine Service. The Divine Service is for the people of God. Here God gives us His gifts of life and salvation through word and sacrament. This is the place where God’s children come to receive these gifts.
The Invocation reminds us of our baptism. With these words we remember that this is where we belong. We are God’s children who have come to meet in our Father’s house and to be about our Father’s business.
For some, the Divine Service seems to have declined to the level of holy entertainment rather than a gathering together of the family of God. In some places congregations are divided into segments and groups according to their musical preferences. In some places children are forbidden from worshiping with their families in the Divine Service. Everyone chooses for himself how God will be encountered.
The Invocation reminds us how unhelpful these practices are. We are the family of God gathered in this place. Young and old, men and women, all have their place here. We encourage and strengthen one another with our presence. We all are poor, miserable sinners who have come to receive grace and blessings from our Lord and Savior.
May your worship with family of God be one in which the Living Christ gives you the gifts He won for you on the cross.

The Location of the Baptismal Font

The location of the baptismal font is not unimportant. In our sanctuary it is attached to the Altar in the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is God who works in and through baptism.
In some congregations the baptismal font is located in the center in front of the steps that lead into the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is through baptism that we enter into the family of God and are made acceptable to come into God’s presence.
In Europe, the baptismal font often occupies its own building outside the entrance to the church. This building is called a baptistry or baptistery. The fact that the font is located outside of the church is a reminder that no one may enter into true worship of God unless he or she has been received into God’s family through The Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In the last few decades some churches have located their baptismal fonts at the entrance to the nave. The emphasis here is similar to having a separate baptistery. (Both of our seminary chapels have located their fonts in this manner.) The font then is generally always filled with water enabling people to place their fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross in remembrance of their baptism.
The next time you visit another congregation take note of location of the baptismal font and ponder the message that is being sent by its position.