Sing for Joy!

It’s been a few weeks and my weekly plans are a lot different. That makes me all the more thankful for moments when God’s word and the songs I love to sing come together in unexpected ways.

While you’re here – let me know what ways your congregation is growing to build a great online worship community. Email me at [email protected].

Broadway church of Christ Media · 10 – Songs in Philippians 2:9-11

Christian discussions about music don’t always have to be about “church music.” How do we use our view of Christ and a Christian worldview into other music spaces in our life? Do I even think about my music and the messages I’m soaking in? This is something I try to challenge myself to do from time to time; so, I took your suggestions and am diving into a song I am unfamiliar with. Hopefully, this can provide you with an example and maybe some encouragement in undertaking this process for yourself. I was honestly surprised where this track led me.

Additional Sources:

Billboard Article –

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8515953/bastille-dan-smith-doom-days-interview

Berkeley Concert –

It has been a wild week, and our worship services were impacted just as all other public gatherings have. Let’s pause for a minute and think about how that is impacting our ability to sing together while we are asked to limit group size and even asked to stay in our homes.

I don’t have the answers, but I’ll share with you how we have handled the situation so far in the Broadway congregation in Paducah. I’d love to hear some of the creative ways other congregations are integrating singing into their online worship styles. Let me know what was useful, interesting, or maybe a little strange by e-mailing me at [email protected].

Link to Children’s Songs Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL34tM1gLfxvaQ_ax0-T2LTywjkJiBh4KB

Where do you go to find or purchase slides for a new song? What about the old classic that isn’t in your current set of slides? Where can you find a capella recordings of contemporary Christian music? I have asked these questions and continue to hear them from many others. So, this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a start. Let me know if you have other great resource spaces that I can share in the future.

Resource List:

Fearless4You – https://www.fearless4you.com/

Zoe – http://www.zoegroup.org/

Praise & Harmony – https://acappella.org/store/praise-and-harmony/

United Voice Worship – https://www.unitedvoiceworship.org/

Public Domain Hymns – https://www.pdhymns.com/

Hymn Publishing History – https://hymnary.org/

It is easy to take for granted the ability to sing together with fellow Christians on Sunday. We can even sing together in the public square if we wanted to! That hasn’t always been the case. For that reason, I think it’s important to take a “quick” look through history to see how we have a long history of singing together and should celebrate our ability to do so today.

This is a longer episode, but I don’t go too deep into any one particular time period or episode in church history; so, let me know if you want me to explore more details of something that piques your interest!

Rarely, if ever, will I simply introduce a new song to the congregation just because I like it. I try to ensure there is a scriptural or theological meaning behind the songs and then convey those thoughts to the congregation in some form of teaching format. Let’s look at the song “Deep Calls to Deep” by Randy Gill as an example of this examination process.

If you like this deep dive into a particular song, what song would you like me to look into next?

Notes:

DCtD P&H – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FcUVqGXn7k

DCtD ZOE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hZU6dfFW1U

As the Deer Jernigan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gFFz3YR44

As the Deer Nystrom – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYNNIUtQ160

(If you were here for the first upload, thanks for being a dedicated listener! Hopefully, this version isn’t quite so metronomic.)

What’s the difference between a song leader and a worship leader or minister? The difference in the title may not make much of a difference, but the level of preparation does. Let’s explore some best practices for leading worship that I am still trying to improve on as I continue in this ministry. Whey you lead or participate in worship, what do you do that helps you focus on God?

I thought it was only fair before I dove into some more serious discussion that you know a bit more about me and my music background. I want you to know that I have always been interested in music, but my ways of thinking about it have changed with my life situations. My ability and desire to think more deeply about music have changed depending on my time and interest. I’m thankful for how I can listen to a wide range of music and find connection points to Christ and Christianity.

“Sing for Joy!” introductory episode. Meet Jed Lovejoy, the Worship & Children’s Minister for the Broadway church of Christ in Paducah, KY, and the vision for this new podcast venture.

Submit your thoughts and feedback to [email protected].

A new podcast from the Broadway church of Christ in Paducah, KY is set to begin soon! This podcast will focus on music in the church, leading worship, singing, and thinking more deeply about the songs we sing. Take a listen for a fun introduction to the new podcast. Who knows, maybe there will be more hymn parodies in the future!