Worship Example

Wesley Church Sunday School Senior Department Worship 10 Jan 1998

This was "promotion Sunday". There were actually 2 worships. The 1st worship was meant to say "goodbye" to the most senior members who were being "promoted" to the Young Adults Group. The 2nd worship was meant to welcome the incoming young members.

Worship 1

1. Lord You're Beautiful - G Major: Robert & Lea
After introductory prayer (with music accompaniment in an "exciting" mood), this wonderful song was taught. It was sung twice.
2. MEDLEY: Be Bold Be Strong - G Major: Chapman, Morris © 1984 Word Music
After exhorting the congregation and creating excitement, I started singing "Be Bold". Musicians then joined in immediately. Last time, last chord G7 instead of G so can transpose to C (tricky!)
Rock of Ages - C Major: Nystrom, Martin © 1991 Integrity's Hosanna Music
Start on 3rd count of previous G7. Repeat last line for final chorus; musicians play "Am D" instead of "C" for last chord so I can repeat.
God With Us - C Major: Kendrick, Graham © 1988 Make Way Music
As Don Meon sings it! For verse, congregation echo the leader's words. Repeat chorus. On repeating chorus after singing second verse, musicians out, tambourine only. Repeating chorus for final time, musicians come in. Last line "Emmanuel, Emmanuel" repeated by playing progression "1.Dm Em 2.F G 3.Dm Em 4.A", slowing down and heavy strumming. (a number indicates "Emmanuel").
3. Friends - G Major: Smith, Michael W.
1st verse and chorus, repeat chorus. As musicians played on, the out-going seniors were invited to the front to share testimonies. Farewell gifts were given to them, and as the farewell shaking of hands took place, the chorus was sung again until the shaking of hands was completed. Ending by repeating last line of chorus, slowing down.
4. In Christ Alone - G Major: After a few words, I started singing the first line of this song. Seniors were ushered out. Transpose to A on 3rd time by skipping last line "in Christ alone" instead singing 1st line "In Christ Alone" in higher key. Ending (4th time) like ending of "Stand Up For Singapore" (patriotic song) with F G A chords, heavy strumming.

Worship 2

1. Welcome To The Family - G Major

Kerner, Debby © 1982 Rettino/Kerner Publishing Admin. Maranatha! Music
Incoming Juniors asked to stand in front. As song is sung, congregation goes up to shake hands of newcomers. End with "to be strong and to lean on." Newcomers seated in front row.

2. MEDLEY: We Wanna See Jesus - G Major

Starting tambourine only! Singing until "he is the way to heaven"; musicians play heavy G chord - "we wanna see" - heavy D chord - "we're gonna see" - Em "we wanna see" and come in. repeat, move on.

Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord - G Major

With All of My Heart - G Major

Batstone, Bill; Chapman, Morris 1990 Maranatha! Music
last time chorus repeat last line with G, E as chords at end of line slow down, heavy strumming.

3. Jesus We Celebrate Your Victory - G Major

Gibson, John © 1987 Thankyou Music
Exhortation ("R U ready to celebrate His victory today?!"), followed by guitar intro sequence (like starting of "No Longer I" on the Singaporean "As One Voice - Arise!" album). After second verse: repeating chorus, guitarists play E7 and transpose up to A for final chorus. Repeat last line and end with heavy strumming.

4. And I Thank You Lord - G Major

All sit. After exhortation, offering is collected as song is sung. End at verse.

5. We Are Here To Praise You - D Major

Kendrick, Graham © 1985 Thankyou Music
Meditatively. After singing, time of meditation as musicians play on. Repeat the 2nd part. End quietly. Transpose to G.

6. Lord You're Beautiful - G Major

Robert & Lea
Song sung through twice, repeat chorus. End quietly. Prayer.

[Reserve Songs:]

Power Of Your Love - G Major
Shout To The Lord - A Major

I co-led this worship with my Sunday School Co-ordinator, Kay Huat. We met a few days earlier to plan the songs together and to share. I also had two rehearsals with musicians (using 4 guitars and a plugged-in keyboard). At that time, I felt that this worship was going to be different from my previous worships. Indeed, it was! I was much livelier than I usually was, much more excited, much more full of joy. Somehow this mood caught on. I could see people jumping (dancing?) in the back rows as we sung "Jesus We Celebrate Your Victory". The atmosphere was electric in the front. The clapping was spontaneous. The praise was very enjoyable - my best ever. The musicians really played their best too. The worship was smooth. I guess the congregation found "Lord You're Beautiful" unfamiliar. But I believe that they needed to learn that song. Because when that song gets out, it's going to change the world! (Find out more about that song in the Library).