Church Music 2014 simplified

Hello fellow church musician(s),
I'm not sure if I'm writing for anyone else to read or just for my benefit.  Either way, I've had a year off from the blog in exchange for using my pen and notebook.  The Lord has done a work in me as I'm sure He has in you this past year.  I am praising Him for all of His wonderful goodness and faithfulness!  I've posted an old photo from 1983 from an old-fashioned service.  Things were simpler then but I didn't think so! ha! (Jennifer Petticoffer/S. Petticoffer/J. Smith)
My theme or guiding word for this year is "Simplify".  I have just started the process and want this to trickle into all of the group rehearsals and scheduling.  When I say "simplify" I'm not meaning going backwards in any way, but moving forward in an efficient and streamlined manner.
The Lord gave me this thought the other day, almost ridiculously simple.  There are fifty-two Sundays and fifty-three Wednesdays in 2014.  That means 104 Sunday specials and 53 Wednesday specials for a total of 157 special numbers.  If we have thirty-two active soloists, groups, jr. choirs, and teen groups that means each of them would be able to sing about 5 times per year.  Some large groups, like jr. choirs, would still sing monthly.
If every soloist, duet, trio, quartet, and ensemble knows that they will only be singing a certain amount of times per year, that gives them a definite idea of the work and preparation time they have for each special number.  Of course, if you only have a total of ten soloists and groups they would need to each prepare for sixteen special numbers, but they would have a definite number of specials.
Knowing that number took a huge load off of my mental "shoulders".  I'm planning on walking into the next ensemble rehearsal with a folder or book for each musician.  On the cover will be the year "2014" and inside will be five songs plus a few old standbys for back-ups and a Christmas and Patriotic song.  Knowing that these are our nine rehearsal songs will greatly minimize stress, decision-making, and being unprepared for the services.  The best songs of the year will be used for the revival and conferences.
Just think, by the end of the year the songs should all be memorized, wow!  By June, I plan to add a section marked "2015", replacing the songs we have already sung and also to keep rehearsals exciting.
This may be "old hat" for some of you but I'm very excited about doing this.  I'll be busy the next few weeks but the year will be charted and hopefully we'll be able to sing and "play skillfully with a loud noise" for our Lord.  By the way, we came up with a new idea last year and I'll let tell you about it next Saturday.

Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.

¹      Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

²      Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³      Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴      Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵      For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

"The Singing Goes On"

Enduring Praise Teen Ensemble singing "The Meeting in the Air" during Homecoming Revival - Bro. and Mrs. John Robinson, group leaders

Isn't it amazing that in the Christian life the singing goes on no matter what the situation?  God gives His song when we are worried, when we are completely happy, or when we are so sad that we cannot think of taking our next step.

This past month has been one of concern and prayer for many that we know who are sick or going through the unknown in the lives.  People we love and are very ill are nearer to Heaven's gates with each passing day, but we still have a song.  I have worked with many musicians this month with heavy hearts, but they are still at rehearsals, still playing their instruments, still singing through the storms.  

Church musicians, the little role you play in the services and in rehearsals means more than you know.  You are helping individuals spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically with good music and great messages.  Sometimes we need to choose songs because we need the songs and our musicians need them, not because they are popular, pretty, or fun to do.

This past month was our Homecoming Revival.  So far this month we've had over forty-eight specials. That doesn't include college chapel or the next three services.  

The Lord has given us some great songs this past month and many that have helped do more than fill the space in the service.  I practiced with some of these groups and I was helped as they sang each song.

John and Amy Robinson - "Oh, How We Need the Touch of Jesus", written by Amy Robinson

Faithful Generation Ensemble - "What Faith Does"

LBT Choir and Orchestra - "His Way is Perfect", published by the Wilds in octavo format

TBC Chorale - "He's Still on the Throne", published by NVBC in More Songs and Hymns of Revival

PraiseHymn Ensemble - "Living by Faith/Faith of our Fathers/We've Come This Far By Faith", arr. by Amy Robinson

Strength and Beauty Ensemble - "Moment of Truth"

TBC Concert Choir - "Desire the Fire" by John Marshall Family

The music department has been very busy, but we've also been very blessed because our mind has had to be focused on the God's music.  Amazing, that even when we're exhausted, the singing still goes on!

Job 35:8 - But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Psalm 42:8 - Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night 
his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Are you a Believer?

I have had the privilege of teaching some wonderful Christian young people in the past years.  This semester is no exception.  The Texas Baptist College freshmen class is one of the best groups of young people I've ever met.  We've only had a few weeks together in music practices and classes and the bond of fellowship is already there.  Two new groups have learned five songs in just three rehearsals. Wow!  I can't believe it, I'm very joyful about their enthusiasm, but I'm more amazed at what God can do when we yield our time, spirits, and talent to His will.
Today during a piano lesson, I noticed my student's keychain.  It said "Believe", that is her "word".  Mine is "hope".  "Believe" is a great word for anyone setting out to do something great for God and I thought today that we all need that in every ministry when we want to accomplish something eternal.
I read this morning that "the just shall live by faith", Galations 3:11.  Each time, musician, that you go to practice with a music group, choir, teach a lesson, or choose a song, you are exercising faith.  You have to "believe to see".  There is no guarantee that any of your labor will turn out, but you must BELIEVE.
Humanly speaking, with all of the obstacles, human failures, schedule changes, and attitudes that need adjusting there could be little or no music made in our churches.  But when we, by faith and belief, are faithful to take the steps day by day, then God does a miraculous work - He responds to our faith and trust in Him.
I am believing, by faith, that God will give our church musicians the strength, concentration, health, and ability to sing over forty specials for our Homecoming Revival coming up in October.  If you think about it, it is a daunting task.  But, we haven't crossed our eyes, sighed, or dreaded the challenge, we are excited and know that we need to BELIEVE and exercise our faith, God will do the rest and will bless beyond our expectations.
Are you a Believer?

"The Domino Effect"

We have often heard and spoken of the value of just one soul.   That's what our focus as a Christian should be - to reach just one more soul.  This morning John and Amy Robinson sang a beautiful song - "Reach Just One More Soul", written by Amy.  It hit the mark as does all of the songs that they write and sing together.
You can also use this point of view in the your music ministry - each soul that you have the honor to work with is so valuable.  If you take just one person out of your music ministry for one weekend it can change the whole program and your options.  Three weeks ago Travis and Ruth Smith were on vacation. What did that mean?  It meant that the Men of Victory Quartet could not sing and that we would need another song leader for the auditorium Sunday School class.  If I would have wanted to schedule Voice of Triumph Ensemble or the Faith Trio, that would not have worked.  This is all because one family was out of town.  The same thing can happen on any given week with any given musician out of town - that is the domino effect.
The music ministry is unlike the Sunday school and bus ministry, where workers can be replaced at the last minute or the assistant teacher or bus captain can step into a position.  Musicians work together and have to practice a song for hours before they can be ready.  So when one is out or sick, the group is usually not functional.
I have learned the value of one musician when four families are out of town and the second solo spot needs to be filled.  When I call the "one" and they agree to sing, I am grateful and know their value - irreplaceable!
When scheduling, dealing with people, and choosing music for musicians treat each one with special value.  Pray for each musician every week and express your gratitude regularly.  Birthday cards, thank you notes, and letters are thoughtful ways to make each person feel that they are valued.
When I think of musicians that have come through our church, I hope that they have fond memories of participating in the music ministry of the Longview Baptist Temple.  I also hope that every one that is currently involved in special music knows that they are special and are doing a great work.
Recognize the value of "one" and God will take care of the big picture!

Have Fun While You Serve

Today is Sunday, July 4, 2010.  Maybe you thought, "What a drag, having church on the Fourth of July holiday." I honestly can say that today was an enjoyable day.  The preaching was a blessing and the atmosphere was one of thankfulness and just being happy to be an American.  I didn't have to sit outdoors swatting flies or mosquitoes!!
Because of just finishing the Teen Convention and a change in our church meetings schedule we haven't quite got our rehearsals back into the normal routine. Add vacations, sickness, and one musician called in to nursing duty and that can also cause a challenge.  In spite of these "setbacks" God blessed today and I honestly can say that I enjoyed being at church.
Was everything perfect?  Well, I don't believe so, but I do believe we did our absolute best for our Lord and that the result fit into the entire scheme of His will.
I had originally planned for the Joy Trio and Daughters to sing "Red, White, and Blue", but oral surgery of one singer prevented that plan.  Then our Strength and Beauty Ensemble was supposed to do a new patriotic song, but a deacon's meeting and a busy teen convention schedule derailed that one.   My daughter, Victoria, has been out of the special music mode for several weeks due to being a new mother and was feeling good enough this weekend to practice and sing, so I said, "Praise the Lord, let's sing on Sunday morning!"  Chandler Tolley sang a beautiful solo, as planned - "It's Time to Pray".  The Men of Victory Quartet was ready for Sunday night but our tenor was called in to work at the last minute and our men's quartet became a mixed quartet when Mrs. Sandy Londeau filled in!
I had the privilege of playing a piano trio with Amy Robinson and Nicole Koehn.  We played "Stars and Stripes Forever" and I had a great time, even though I was sitting in the middle and the skinny person should be in the middle!  I didn't have a worry with those ladies on each side of me doing all of the hard stuff!
When the problems come, just take them as a challenge, do what you can with what you have, and leave the work in the Lord's hands.  You'll have fun while you serve!

Letting Go and Letting God

Pictured: Jennifer and Jessica in the Muskogee Regional Medical Center ICU after Jessica regained consciousness.


When I was growing up there were several popular bumper stickers (none of which ever donned my Daddy's chrome): "Honk! If you love Jesus", "God is my Co-Pilot", "Lucky Me I Live in Longview", "Let Go and Let God", etc...
Some were funny and some didn't mean much.  This past weekend I learned the value of the last one, I had to let go and let God do what He wanted.  I have learned this about the music ministry, but when your life is unexpectedly detoured you sometimes grab at anything and everything you can to hold on to.
It was Memorial Day weekend and I was looking forward to having our Heaven-themed service.  I knew that Pastor and his family would be out of town so we would need to "step up" and put extra effort into all of the music.  Little did we know that we would be needed in Muskogee, Oklahoma to be with our daughter, Jessica, while she was in ICU.  (You can read this story in another other blog..)
While we were on our way we all had to make phone calls - choir director, Amy Robinson, Sunday school superintendents, Connie Vazquez, Pastor, etc... to let all know we would not be able to fulfill our Sunday positions.  I thought about my Sunday School class, the specials I was supposed to play for, the choir, choir rehearsal, and just being at my church.  Then I thought, this is out of my hands, let go and let God do His work.
I never have to worry because I have capable and talented musician friends who are ready at a moment's notice to do whatever is needed.  What a blessing!  I knew that I would miss being there more than they would miss my being there and that consoled me.
Then I turned to grab at any ideas on how to help Jessica, bargain for her with the Lord, try to work things out in my life so God would heal her, find out the why and how of her illness, ask questions, etc... Then the Lord reminded me to "let go".  I couldn't change anything by saying "what if" or blaming doctors, nurses, or paramedics.  I couldn't help the situation by preaching to Jessica about the dangers of diabetes type I as she lay unconscious in the ICU.  I just sat there and worked on trusting.  I trusted the cranky nurse, the doctor who looked like he belonged on the Food Network, the "Red Neck" nurse, and the doctor who reminded me of a Pentecostal nanny.  Then I realized I was just trusting God and His perfect plan for us.  No matter how you got there, He let you get there, He is with you every step of the way, He provides each need, and He feels  our heartaches.
As I look back on it, I can chuckle a little and say, "Why did I even worry?"  But in the midst of the trial, when the fear and unknown are before you,  you have to let go and work on trusting.  Get a verse or a song in your heart, then just let go and let God.

Isaiah 65:24 - And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Panic into Peace, Jeopardy into Joy, Storm into Stillness, Calamity into Calm

Luke 8:22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
"Musicians are temperamental", you've heard said. For me, I tend to get into a panic because most of my work turns out in "public" for all to see, hear, and pronounce judgment upon. The feeling of living "on the edge" becomes normal, but it shouldn't be that way. Musician, "Where is your faith?". Jesus is there in our "boat" of life, right there, not worried. When the winds blow down and our boats fill with water we panic. You know, the mic wasn't on, the soloist forgot, you turned too many pages, etc... Jesus wants to turn our panic into peace, our jeopardy into joy, our storm into stillness, and our calamity into calm. Alright, before Sunday - take a breath, breathe deeply, apply faith, look to Jesus - - - - CALM yourself.

Not on my "To Do" List

I am a planner. Not the ordinary type of planner, but the detailed, failure if I don't get it done kind of planner. I remember planning out my life at age sixteen. Yes, I would have a college degree by 22, be engaged by age 22, married by 23, a mother by 24, a homeowner by 25, a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th child, a fancy home owner by 35, etc... What a riot! Did I reach any of these goals, one or two by the grace of God.
Today, I am 46 years old. I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 29 years. Am I disappointed that my life doesn't match my plan. No, I'm not. Part of my plan meant that I would have an empty nest within the next five years. Well, my mom has lived with us for six years, she's 82 and will probably live to be 90 or more. My son-in-law joined the Air Force and my daughter is living with us until her apartment opens up next month, my 23-year-old daughter is still with us. She's teaching school and is a Type 1 diabetic, not safe for her to live alone. Plus, I have a ten-year-old daughter - the joy of my life. The Lord must know that I do well in a group setting!
Knowing how I try to plan the music department at our church, and it never really works, I should learn the same about my life. Every time I go to church I have a plan and I also have peace because I know if that plan doesn't work it's God's will that it be changed...why can't I do that about my life, my husband's, and my children's lives! I believe my new word needs to be "Peace" - I need to trust God's ways so much that I have indescribable peace...