Closing Thoughts for 2009

Tuesday 12/29/09 time 12:55 PM - Pat

2009. Wow, what a year. As I look back and see the good that God has been up to, it fills me with joy to know that I was worthy enough to be a small part of His big plan. 

The worship team had a pretty awesome ride in 2009. We were blessed to have many new talented and sincere worshippers join the team, adding new dimensions both personaly and sonically. We had bittersweet moments upon the departure of some team members. But the bottom line is that God anointed this worship team to be the team that He wants to represent His church. 

We had the opportunity to hang out beyond Sundays as well! Some of the events in which we were able to bond and fellowship were the trip to Guitar Center in Oxnard, helping out with Serve Your City Sunday, sharing a feast at Thanksgiving time, sharing stories and eating together at band practices, etc. 

I really feel that we have made it beyond just a music team. We are our own “Growth Group”. We are our own “community”, or better yet, I call us a "Family of Worshippers". Which, biblically, we are just that! Sons and Daughters of the Living God. Modern day Levites. This is a special ministry not to be taken lightly. I thank you all for your heart for worship, for without the right heart, the worship is insincere. 

Thank you all for making 2009 such an awesome year by allowing the Lord to use you in the capacity of the worship team. We had lots of fun together and had week after week of pure worship. I am proud of all of you for you individual accomplishments! Look at where you are now compared to a year ago! That was our mighty God stretching us and shaping us all into the servants He made us to be. The work still continues, though! We are being molded by the hands of the Potter into something beautiful. Ashes to beauty. Praise the Lord for being so long suffering on us knuckleheads! Amen?

Keep up the good work, and keep on practicing your instruments and voices! We’ve got a huge worship service in heaven coming soon that you definitely want to be prepared for! (READ REVELATION!) 

May we bring a rich offering of praise to our Lord daily as we roll into the new year. May He continue to bless our efforts into 2010 as we follow the course laid before us.

~Patrick~

Not Losing Sight

Sunday 12/6/09 time 6:26 PM - Pat

It’s December. Again. Christmas is around the corner, we’re extra busy with planning, shopping, getting together with friends and family; ON TOP OF our regular very busy schedule as well.

After a well-deserved nap this afternoon after church, I went into motion getting some pre-Christmas tasks done. The next thing I realized is that I was so wrapped-up (no pun intended) in tasks, that I lost sight of the purpose. (Not to mention that I should’ve still been resting since I have a very busy week ahead – Sunday’s usually my day to worship by resting, reflecting and being thankful of what God’s been up to in my life).

That got me thinking about this Christmas season and we as worshippers. It could be very easy to lose sight of worshipping the King of kings when we have a to-do list a mile long or or we’re learning new songs themed for this season; preparing for the many different Christmas events at the Journey church and other task-oriented pursuits.  

Here’s what I’d like us to grasp: God deserves our worship every day, every week, every month of the year. Christmastime should be a time of extra celebrations, yes, but may it never be the celebration or the event that we are worshipping.

That being said, let us be bold as we declare the good news of the Savior - the true meaning of Christmas - to our circle and anyone we may encounter during our daily routine and busy schedules. That is a display of the kind of worship that pleases our Father in heaven!

One more thing: Cheesy sweaters are the IN thing this year!!! See you at the Christmas party!

May our eyes be ever fixed on Jesus- the reason for the season!

~Patrick~

Musicians leading worship?

Sunday 11/22/09 time 11:10 PM - Pat

Today's worship service was an excellent display of true surrender. The unity between everyone in the worship band coupled with the congregation engaged in the worship of Jesus compelled me to ponder of how we approach worship as musicians.

There's so much that can get in the way when imperfect people strap on a guitar, grab a pair of drum sticks or step up to the microphone.

That's when our hearts come into play. When we surrender our own agenda and yield to God's will, that's when the song of our heart begins to play. It's when we make a joyful noise unto the Lord as a form of worship - an offering to please God's heart and to bless His holy name JUST BECAUSE HE IS GOD - that we become vessels (or instruments) worthy enough to lead His people into the holy of holies - the throneroom of God Almighty.

And that's when true worship happens. Not when we play an awesome guitar lick or drum roll. Not when we reach that perfect vocal harmony. It's when we as a team connect together in unity as ONE VOICE that the congregation can surrender as well to the majesty and holiness of the Creator of the universe. That's when, as the psalmist wrote, God inhabits the praises of His people.

What's also awesome is the fact that we are united together in worship every Sunday with fellow believers in Morro Bay, Seattle, South America, Australia, Africa, Asia....you get the picture.

That reminds me of the extravagant worship depicted in Revelation chapters 4 and 19. That, my friends, is going to be THE ultimate worship service!!!

We as musicians and singers need to continually remind ourselves that it's much more than the music. Yes, there are MANY verses in the bible, especially in Psalms, that describe worship being done with instruments and singing, but the truth is this:

Our job was done if 1: WE truly engaged in worship. and 2. The congregation truly engaged in worship. Actually, the worship service is a combination of the worship band AND the people we are leading!(Preparing their hearts to hear the word of God preached)

To God be the glory! Let us always continue to present ourselves as living sacrifices; holy and pleasing to God as our spiritual act of worship - as we continually strive to seek God's good and perfect will for our lives. (See Romans 12:1-2)

Running out of steam?

Sunday 11/15/09 - Pat

November 15, 2009

A message to the worship band from today as well as the entire team:

Hey gang, usually you receive from me an enouraging e-mail after the service telling you how awesome you are and all that. And trust me, you guys DO Rock!!!! God rocks way better, but you guys sure can worship!...............................................

I thought that this time, however, I would post the "encouraging e-mail" here on the worship blog (First blog entry!) since most of my 'tiring' e-mails are blogs / mini-sermons anyway! LOL.... Well, let me first say that today's worship was awesome. Many thanks to all of you who courageously stepped up today to allow the Lord to work through you.