Happy second week of Advent!

Here's 1 thought, 2 quotes, and 3 Christmas Service "fails" for you this week...

1 Thought from Me

What goes through your mind leading up to a big church service or event? It can be easy to get lost in the details, forgetting the big picture. Here are some of the thoughts that can run through many worship leaders’ minds (including mine) leading up to big events.

• This is a performance, and I need the performance to be good!

• This event reflects greatly on me, our ministry, and our church.

• Souls are in the balance. This needs to land with emotional impact so that people hear and believe.

That list was me-centered and sub-biblical. What if the list was God-centered and reflected his priorities?

• This event is a opportunity to serve people in the name of Christ. Let’s serve them well!

• This event is a proclamation of God taking on flesh. It’s his message. May he help our church faithfully tell his story, using the talents and materials he’s given us.

• All flesh is grass, but the Word of our God endures forever. Music can’t change a heart. Only God the Holy Spirit can. It’s such a privilege to get to proclaim the Word through song, which he can use for eternal purposes.

We labor, but he ultimately does the work. May the Spirit accomplish beautiful things in your congregation and community this December as you faithfully proclaim the Son, using gifts and talents the Father has given!

2 Quotes from Others

I.
The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. - J.S. Bach (Source)

II.
Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. She is a mistress and governess of those human emotions... which control men or more often overwhelm them... Whether you wish to comfort the sad, to subdue frivolity, to encourage the despairing, to humble the proud... what more effective means than music could you find. - Martin Luther (Source)

3 Christmas Service Fails

May none of your Christmas programs be as special as these:

I.
A Prayerful Commotion

II.
Camel Falls into the Congregation (with accompanying news report)

III.
Fighting over Baby Jesus