Message Series: “Hope Has Come”

Song / Version / Key / Leader
“Running” – Hillsong – Key of E – Female 2 Lead
“Forever Reign” – Hillsong – Key of C – Male Guest Lead
“Always” – Kristian Stanfill – Key of D – Female 2 Lead
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong – Key of D – Female 2 Lead

This particular week, my husband and I were out of town for the Christmas/New Year’s Holiday, so a lot of previous planning went into this particular set. These are the moments when you are extremely thankful you use the multi-leader model. This way, you’re not having to hire or bring someone to lead from the outside that your congregation has no connection with. With that being said, our second female worship leader mainly led for this week along with a “guest” male leader. He wasn’t that much of a guest because he plays electric/acoustic guitar with us about once a month, but I say guest because this was his first time leading on vocals with us.

The opener was a tried and true staple, which was nice coming out of the Christmas special season. We then transitioned to the key of C via pad as Pastor Devin welcomed everyone for “Forever Reign.” I believe this was the first time we had a male lead “Forever Reign.” The first couple of times we had sung this song, a female lead it to try a different voicing. This was the first time we actually played “Forever Reign” in the traditional key.

We then, for only the second time thus far, sang “Always,” which the female leader again led. The normal for us is to at least have three leaders. However, not only was I out of town, but our two other male leaders were also out of town for the holidays. Therefore, our female leader needed to lead 3 out of the 4 songs. Since it was this particular male leader’s first time leading in our setting (although we have lead together before so I knew he was credible… never would I just throw someone up there to fill a space), I didn’t want him to lead more than one song and have him carrying that load.

Following “Always,” we stayed in the key of D for “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” another staple for our church. They absolutely love this song and it carries a great message of faith and trusting in the Lord that we all need to be reminded of. Concluding the sermon, we went back to “Forever Reign,” but played a shorter response version.