Song Of The Week - March 27

Last week of March! We're getting close to a lot of big events now, aren't we? Birthdays, services, performances, concerts... It just seems to kick up into high gear at this time of year. Last week, we celebrated Spring's arrival with a hopeful message in the SOTW. But remember when I said that I'd bring the nitty-gritty? That time has come :P. Hahaha, but seriously, it has arrived.

Sowing Bad Seeds, Lórien, Esque

"My roots they grow deep/Nothing else I need/They are basking in the light of my ridiculous pride"

Lórien is a new band I've found in the past couple weeks, like most of my other music that I've proposed as SOTWs (Need to keep it fresh :P). They are another one of the bands that fit under the "indie" header, which I have grown to quite like... there's something about a raw, not overly processed sound that seems more authentic to me. I think that it helps the song in conveying its message, which is fairly darker than most songs that I've nominated, save for Fight Inside.

Sowing Bad Seeds isn't as dark as it sounds, but in the time that I have had to listen to it, I find it a brutally honest song... The writer is conveying several things during the piece, all of which are not difficult to understand. The line that sticks out the most for me, apart from the lyrics I've already written, is in the chorus: "We're sowing bad seeds". Every time I hear this line, I'm reminded of Paul's writings in Galatians 6: We will always reap what we sow. Our words, actions, and decisions have far reaching consequences that we may sometimes be unaware of. If we live to satisfy ourselves, as Paul says, we will harvest the consequences of that, and you can read the passage yourself, but it isn't a positive outcome. But if we live to do good to others and for God, we will reap the rewards of that. The more I think about it, the more I find it to be true. We sow seeds everywhere we go, sometimes in places we didn't expect to plant them, which is why we have to be careful which kind of seed we plant. As worship leaders (yes, Matt is not the only one), we have the privilege to help plant seeds of hope, of love, of comfort, to people through our music and our worship. But we all have to be careful with what seeds we plant. We will all end up reaping what we have planted, be it positive or negative. We can't account for every plant that we may end up growing, but we can do our best to make sure that they are good, through what we do and what we say. What seeds are you growing today? Are you ready for the day when you'll harvest those plants? Sowing Bad Seeds is an honest reminder of this, and I hope that you take the message to heart.

Sowing Bad Seeds - http://www.mediafire.com/?hvlnzmi5m2w

March 25 Service

Just a little bit late with this one... :P. Here are the files from this past Wednesday, sorry for the hold up.

High School
You Are Good
Glorious
Forevermore/Awesome God

March 22 Service

Good afternoon McCorah! :P Good job today guys. I really enjoyed myself, although my leg wouldn't stop shaking for some reason ;) I have some files for you guys, if you want them. But I'm sure that won't be a problem haha! Have a good one.

FWC 10:30 Worship
What The World Will Never Take
Your Grace Is Enough
Jesus Messiah
Mighty To Save

Song Of The Week - March 20

Hey guys, happy first day of Spring! Bring on the sun hahaha! Snow's been around too long for my taste, so it's good that the grass is starting to peak out from under the snowbanks and the trees are budding once again. Also, Pastor Matt returns today! It was good to be rid of him for awhile, :P, but it's nice to have him back. Today marks the first day of my enjoying life again hahaha. Not really, sliding was alright in winter... I thought that for this week's SOTW, it would be good to have a song with a bright, hopeful message to welcome in the season. Don't worry; we'll bring the nitty gritty next week ;).

Complete - Jackson Waters, Supply EP

"You are so much more than you think you are..."

Hands up: who here has heard of Jackson Waters? Hmm? No one? Haha, I guess we've got some work to do. Jackson Waters is a Christian band that hasn't had much time in the mainstream spotlight, or have had much news spread by word of mouth, which I find to be a shame. Not only are they talented, their songs are very heartfelt and well-written. Unfortunately, the band called it quits recently, just last month to be exact. The last piece of work they left listeners with was the Supply EP, and what a great piece to be left with. I have this and their debut on my computer, and both are just wonderful compositions.

I have a couple questions for you. Have you ever felt less than what you really are? Inadequate, insubtantial, or not worth anyone's time? I'd love to say that these emotions were just an illusion, and never sprouted up in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, they are more common than I like to think about. It's a common theme that we can never seem to change. Complete bears heavily on this point, in the heartfelt manner that Jackson Waters possesses. I love the way the song is written, because it gives the listener a chance to decide who the speaker is. I see it from both sides, a human speaker, but also the loving words of God flowing out from another's heart. This song is basically a call out to everyone, a statement. You are worth much more to everyone, your classmates, your friends, your family, than you could ever imagine. It doesn't matter who you are, how badly you think you've screwed up or how little you think people acknowledge you. I think it's important to remember that, because honestly, no one ever says that anymore. We all try to be someone else, and keep ourselves secret, keep ourselves "safe" from it all. But God, and those who care about you, don't need such veils, distortions or misrepresentations of your true character. Who you "are" is enough, no more no less... Jesus didn't sacrifice Himself for who you're trying to be, He sacrificed Himself for who you are. Yes, imperfect, vain and corrupt we may be, but He takes us. Never forget that he takes us. As we welcome Spring once again, keep the reassurance in your hearts that who you are means, and is, so much more than you could possibly fathom, to those that care for you, both here and in eternity.

Complete - http://www.mediafire.com/?klo3ydzy2ay

March 18 Service

Hey guys, before I forget to put these up, I'll make sure I do so! I love being able to record now, because it allows me to keep audible records of our endeavors :P. Need to get the recorder closer to us though... not enough guitar/sound hahaha!

High School
Run
Here Is Our King
Everlasting God

Authentic leading

So after our very secretive disscussion in the stairwell... haha... I talked to the worship leader guru... known as M. Doige and his opinion on the matter was the following, "If your hearts are right, then the people who are concerned about how you are worshiping  can have their opinions but you know that your heart is right." (this quote is NOT word for word, but paraphrased.) 

So what he was talking about was that if your heart is truly in a place where you are completly focused on God and not yourself then the opinions of other people can be taken seriously and respected, but in the end you as an individual know that what you are doing is not for yourself. 

Reminder: Setlist for This Tuesday

It seems that everyone has chosen, and we now have a setlist for this Wednesday. It is as follows:

Run
Here Is Our King
Everlasting God
Altar Call: Devotion

We have spoken. I strongly, strongly, strongly suggest that you listen to these songs. Almost to the point where I'd force you to do so if I could :P. Two brand new songs, and one we haven't done in a year? Just make sure to come to practice knowing the outline of how it goes, we haven't got a lot of time nowadays haha ;). Have a good one.

P.S. I have made the chords, and have gotten the tabs, for Run. Make sure you pick em up, guitarists :P.

Run: Original | | Alternate
Tab

-love-

Thoughts.... 

I love right now

Not really sure if I should

Not just one person or thing

but both

She is different Than others

It is different Than others

I only want them now, for ever

God, has shown me one but not the other

I guess, I am looking for an opinion

But also you do not know to much

Which I am not sure is needed

I really have no idea why I am posting this

I guess it is on my mind

So you never know

I just know that I am in love

with her

with it

and that is it.

I want advice on this

Should I wait for her

Should I pray about it

Should I pray for her

I am so glad for past experiences.

They have shown me so much to avoid

and I thank God for that

But she

But it

Fits everything

They are like puzzle peices, that I am the match for

I said it all

LAt.

 

At The Cross!

Hey guys, last month, Tsema and I played a bit at At The Cross (which was very good, come out next time!). I have wrestled putting this up, since it's not exactly us, but it was a good service, and I think I've found a way to circumvent this...

At The Cross: Matt Doige featuring Members of First Youth :P

Hope y'all enjoy.

My Future Decided
Everything Glorious
The Stand
None But Jesus

Forming our abilities, to God's plan.

In keeping with Odum's talk about emotional worship, I would like to consider the impact we as band members can have in leading and encouraging the rest of the youth to worship in their own way no matter what type of song is being played. As a band, our skill of playing does have a factor in opening the youth up to being more expressive in their worship, but more importantly, I think that our attitude and focus plays a much more significant role. If we completely give our formed abilities... :P over to God as well as our hearts; I fully believe that our music will (to use a cliche') "be filled with the holy spirit" As the youth listen to music that has God present in it, they will be more inclined and wanting to worship, even if they are stonefaced. :) So lets try to not argue or debate over what songs to play, but instead ask God to show us what songs to use and let him work in the hearts of the youth. We as a band are just the method that God uses. And we should give it our all.

Emotional Worship: Take Caution?

There has been a lot of debate in the creation of next week's setlist. That's ok though, I like debates ;). One point that seemed to stick out though, was a seemingly apprehensive attitude towards the playing of slow emotional songs for next week. I wouldn't usually take the time to write out my thoughts about this, but I have thought about this many times before, and have realized, that as far as the slow, truly God filled songs (not saying the ones we're currently doing aren't God filled, but these ones certainly have them beat :P), we barely do them, if at all. I was talking to Peter today about this, and he was voicing his concerns about doing This Is Our God at youth this week. Not because it's a bad song by any means! It is an amazing song, and I definitely feel the Holy Spirit activated when I listen to it. But he was concerned about what the youth reaction would be, which has usually been stonefacedness when it comes to these sort of songs. It has led me to come up with an equation, look closely:

Are we taking too much caution when we keep away from songs such as This Is Our God, The Stand and other such pieces, at youth? I have thought on this for a bit, and I think that... we have. It's almost as if we're scared to see a stagnant reaction from the youth. I do agree, we don't see much of a reaction from them when we play slower songs. But I have come to realize one or two things. Not everyone worships openly. You won't always get an outright pouring of hearts when you play a song, let alone singing along. Some people are too afraid of what other people will think of them if they get up and just let it all out. I have been in this boat for many years, and am just learning to get out of it. I mean, I have to now. Reserved does not work.

Another thing I have seen is that people "worship" quietly. They do not necessarily express themselves outwardly, but they keep what they hear, what they take of importance, and hide them quietly in their hearts. It just seems to me that I have, and perhaps you too, have looked for outward emotions and physical expressions to mark if we have made an impact on the youth or not. This is understandable, but I still feel that we're making a mistake with it. The slow, worshipful tunes that we have come to learn and know have so much emotion in them, so much potential to touch people with both their lyrics and their melodies, and I just think that it's a shame to skip out on those. We're doing a song called Everlasting God this week... it's in the same vein as what I've been talking about, and one that I feel could speak to many hearts in a positive way. I want to help people feel God, it's just a bonus to be able to see them do so. So what do you think? Is it a good move to stay relatively distant from such pieces, or do we start looking at songs whose messages can change people's lives? I'd like to know what you think; I'm not the only one with an opinion.

Song Of The Week - March 13

Hey all, hope the week's ended good for you all. Have any of you noticed that this is our second Friday the 13th in a row? Two times :P, that doesn't happen much, make sure you remember that hahaha! This week, I almost didn't know what I was going to share with you guys. :O, your reaction would have been to see that there was no SOTW... it's a requirement now! I find it a stretching challenge to choose these, because I want to show you guys what new stuff I've found, and what old stuff I've rediscovered. In many cases, you find things you never expected to when you take a look back over your shoulder, which was my case this week. Never forget to look back, there may be some good stuff you missed along the way.



My Soul Sings - Delirious?, Kingdom Of Comfort

"Open the page and see/The wonderful history of love"

Delirious... What a blessing this band has been to me over the past couple years. They have been around for years, nearly 20 if I remember correctly. And have they ever brought the love of God to people through their songs and their ministry. As a younger teenager, I was naive, believing that for a song to be good, it had to be upbeat, it had to have electric guitars, it needed to make your heart race. I neglected to see that it didn't have to be any of these things. I remember hearing Delirious for the first time, and not thinking much of it. They were good, but not like Skillet or Hillsong. But through the past couple years in the youth band, their songs have proven to be beautifully woven and intricately composed.

My Soul Sings is to Kingdom Of Comfort as Majesty is to World Service. I find that amidst all the rock songs, all the Red, the Skillet or the Paramore :P, I just need time to rest, to meditate on God and His awesome being in quiet reverence. I want to worship him, I want to feel His presence in me, and just wait on Him for a time. If there's anything that time has taught me, it's that the emotion in songs are extremely special. It is just one of the mysteries of our days, how much music can move us, can stir and soothe even the most hardened of us. I wanted to make sure that sometime, I could show you this song as well. Having just heard it recently, it reminded me of why I hold Delirious? in such high regard: Their love for God, their annointing and their hearts is just so apparent in their music, which makes it such a privilege and a joy to be able to listen to. This song to me, is essentially a second Majesty, not in the similarities between the two, but in the spirit of worship that has been embodied in both of them. My Soul Sings makes me want to sing and cry out, just as Majesty has, time and time again. I have been blessed by Delirious' efforts, and will miss them greatly when they disband at the end of this year. But they have left such a tremendous mark on my life and the lives of others with their music, and I am so glad I have been able to witness that. God Bless, and have an awesome weekend.

My Soul Sings - http://www.mediafire.com/?numziyxym3m

March 10 Practice

As well, I've realized that I haven't been putting up many practices up lately, which was one of the main reasons I wanted to start up this blog! So I'm going to start that up again, because I think that the practices give the best indication of specific things to look at, at least performance wise, while the services are just a song from start to end, as whole as we can make it. I don't know if anyone will take a look at these, but they will always be here, if ever you decide to.

I Am Free
Tell The World (IAF Ending)
No One Like You
Everything Glorious
To The Ends Of The Earth
I Am Free/Tell The World: Rock Out

March 11 Service

Hey, I know you guys were disappointed with how Wednesday went, but I think that we did alright. Sure, it may not have been the best we've ever played, but I don't think that you should remember only the negatives about Wednesday... I thought there were some positives. I saw, and heard some people worshiping. No, not everyone, but if I'm able to reach out to at least one heart in what I do, I think it makes all the difference. We also gained a new name, and a new member, who'll hopefully stay with us for a bit :). Glad to have you, Brian. So don't brood or worry too much about that, try and enjoy what we did do right. We are Palmerless (Diarrhea), and remember, we just keep on going.

I Am Free/Tell The World
No One Like You
Everything Glorious
To The Ends Of The Earth
Hosanna

EDIT: Almost forgot... Brock and KJ left a message during No One Like You for me... don't be surprised if you hear their voices :P

Song Of The Week - March 6

Well, March Break ends today, doesn't it? It always goes by too fast, I wish it was as long as summer :P, that'd help a bit. But it can't be, life goes back to normal on Monday, after Daylight Savings Time destroys our sleep haha. It was good while it lasted though. This week marks three months of SOTWs lol, I didn't think there would be enough good stuff to keep it going at the start, but I guess life's full of surprises. This week, we've got some Canadian talent for the SOTW! Yes, Canadians have talent hahaha! A lot of it too, it seems.

Hope Is Rising - Downhere, Ending Is Beginning

"From the darkness/From the pain/From the fall and from the grave"

Hope. It drives us. It sustains us. It gives us the courage to see another day. You can't get through much of the world today if you don't have hope. Hope that things will get better, that the clouds will roll away, or that you won't always feel the hurts and the pains you feel right now. As Christians, we have put our hope in Jesus, and sometimes we forget that He is our hope, and that He gives us the courage to see another day...

If memory serves, Downhere is a band from right here in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia if I'm not mistaken. I'd always hear their names with other regional bands such as Three Season Ant, and unfortunately, tuned out to them. It wasn't until Wide Eyed and Mystified became the thing of the moment that I really started to look for some of their stuff. In fact, I downloaded this album, but it was Pastor Matt (Palmer :P) that really got me to listen to it completely. I owe him a little for getting me on that.

Hope Is Rising is an amazingly uplifting song. The strings make it even more exuberant, and while strings are almost trite in today's music, their emotional impact value is not hampered in the least. For me, the song is trying to tell the listener that there is always hope, even in the most trying of times, even when all seems lost, even when it seems that the best option is to give up and submit... I just find it an amazing piece of truth, and I would honestly have to ask what was wrong with someone if their spirits didn't soar a little after hearing what this song has to give to them. Downhere definitely activated the Holy Spirit with this one hahaha!

The part that gets me the most is the ending, which I typed at the beginning of the post: From the darkness, from the pain, from the fall and from the grave. Meanwhile, a choir is singing those three words, hope is rising, while the song goes for a climactic crescendo. Hope is rising from darkness, from our hurts, our failures, and by our Savior's resurrection. It's an amazingly well done song, which proves not only that Canadians have talent, they can also speak and minister with startling power. I'm more than happy to deem this Song Of The Week; it's an honour that the piece highly deserves.

Hope Is Rising - http://www.mediafire.com/?2mjh3nukynq

March Break! Announcements/Modifications

Hmm, I know these guys, unfortunately :P

Hey guys, I just have a few announcements to give you guys, just so you're not caught unaware next week. on March 11, Scott Wood's youth group is coming and speaking. Matt asked for 5 songs that week, and I was hoping for a sort of mini-bash, so the list has been modified from the setlist document, if you've been looking at that.

Setlist, March 11
I Am Free (Old Intro - Jumangi/Light Show? :P)
Tell The World
No One Like You
Everything Glorious
To The Ends Of The Earth

As a result, I have pushed the new song, Everlasting God (New Life) to March 18th, which is consequently an "N/A - Connect Groups" week. We will play that one then, but it'll hopefully be the last time I modify the main setlist document. What we have now scheduled we will do our best to play, but on the "N/A - Connect Groups" dates, we'll just have fun with it and make up something awesome. So for March 18th, we have:

Setlist, March 18
*Choose*
*Choose*
Everlasting God

however, on those weeks, it'll likely be:

Setlist
*Choose*
*Choose*
*Choose*

So get choosing! Look at those songs for next week if you've got any time, it'd be sweet to start youth up again with a bang :) Have a good one.