Message Series: “Unplug: Part II”

Song / Version / Key / Leader
“Open Up The Heavens” – Meredith Andrews – Key of B – Female 1 Lead
“One Thing Remains” – Bethel – Key of B – Male 1 Lead
“Never Once” – Matt Redman – Key of B – Male 2 Lead
“How He Loves” – Jesus Culture – Key of G – Female 1 Lead
“Healer” – Planetshakers – Key of E – Female 1 Lead

In the second week of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting series, we felt it thematically appropriate to choose “Open Up the Heavens” as our opener. “Open up the Heavens we want to see you, open up the floodgates a mighty river flowing from Your heart, filling every part of our praise… show us show us Your glory, show us show us Your power…” Lyrically and melodically you can’t get a better invocation song.

We remained in the key of B for the next two songs, “One Thing Remains” and “Never Once,” both lead by our two male leaders. We transitioned the two songs with a down chorus and let the pad linger before starting the keys lead line intro of “Never Once.” This was the first time we’ve had a male lead “Never Once,” even though that is what the original recording calls for. In previous sets, we have needed/wanted the different voicing and feel that a female could bring to the song. However, with me leading the 1st, 4th and altar song, I felt the 2nd and 3rd songs needed to be male led.

We tagged “You are faithful, God, You are faithful” four times before transitioning to the key of G via pad to sing “How He Loves.” Because the two previous songs were rather driving and structured, I really enjoyed ending with a song that gave more space on the front end to just breathe before ending with the powerful chorus. It gave a good balance to the set.

Following the sermon that was focused on forgiveness and healing, we chose “Healer” as our reflection song for the response/ministry time concluding the service. This song, despite the story attached to its writer, carries a pure message and is a wonderful declaration of truth of simply who God is to us. It helped to facilitate a powerful ministry moment for our church and for that I am grateful.