Message Series: “The Blessed Life”

Song / Version / Key / Leader
“Open Up The Heavens” – Meredith Andrews – Key of B – Female 1 Lead
“At Your Name” – Bethel – Key of A – Male 1 Lead
“Your Great Name” – Natalie Grant – Key of A – Female Guest Lead
“Lord I Need You” – Chris Tomlin – Key of E – Female 1 Lead

Towards the end of our “Blessed Life” series, our pastor really wanted to give our church the opportunity to put into action all that had been taught over the past few weeks. Some churches would take this opportunity to take a huge offering for themselves for a specific project, etc. However, even in our infant stages, we wanted to give back and make a difference. So, for this particular week, we had another church planter come and share the Word with us and we took up an offering to help support the start of their church.

With that being said, we decided to introduce a new song this week, which I wouldn’t normally do because yes, it is a risk. However, I believed the message of this song was really a good representation of the purpose of our giving: we wanted to see the glory and power of God manifested on earth and for the heavens to open up and pour out blessing to touch people’s lives.

This is why we opened up service with “Open Up the Heavens” by Meredith Andrews. The version I had the team learn though was the version where she teams with Vertical Church band. I felt this had a more full and consistent rhythm along with a little more energy, especially when it came to drums. Also, the youtube video of this really helped the band learn the song better because they were able to actually see them play it live. I would really encourage your team members, especially when it’s a new song, to look up any tutorial videos on their specific instrument part because help is out there!

After the welcome, as the pad, electric and cymbals carried a little noise transition behind pastor, we swelled into “At Your Name.” We ended with a down chorus and stayed in the key of A for “Your Great Name,” which was led by a guest female worship leader from a neighboring church. I have been really blessed to be able to make some great female worship leader connections within my short time at Connect. I believe it is really important to expose your church to other people, styles and leadership and this was one week I was able to do so and our church really responded to it.

Our closing song was a tried and true staple, which is also good to pull out when you have a guest. We used “Lord I Need You” for the response time as well, which the prayer-like layout of this song is always a great choice, especially when your prompting people to step out and do something that might be out of their comfort zone.