Gracepoint Berkeley Worship Blog

WORSHIP SET:

Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin

Here is Our King / Everlasting God medley – Willow Creek

You’ll Come – Hillsong (from the album, This is Our God)

Gracepoint Fellowship Church Worship Team

Here’s one…

Lesson: Know the song before you try to teach it to the congregation.

I’ll never forget “Where the Love Lasts Forever” by Hillsong United. I was asked to learn it on a Tuesday morning, so that we could use it for that evening’s prayer meeting. I bought it, listened to it, figured out how to play it (it’s not that hard) sufficiently (or so I thought) for that evening.

That evening when prayer meeting began, I was particularly passionate in my prayer, shouting out my prayers against the background music that blasts out so that people can’t hear other’s prayers. But then came time to sing. We got to that song, and I started singing it, by myself, to introduce it. I fudged my way through the first verse, and then came to the chorus… stared at my chordsheet and then slowly stopped playing… silence… Paul (my good friend and our keyboardist sitting next to me on stage) gave me an odd look, more odd than he usually gives me.  I then said into the mic…

James: um… sorry, I can’t remember how this song goes…

Kelly Kang (leading prayer meeting, into her mic): oh.

Congregation: < some uncomfortable giggles >

James: Kelly, maybe you can sing it with me to refresh my memory?

Kelly Kang (Pastor Ed chuckling next to her): that’s ok… let’s just move on to the next song.

Congregation: < not so uncomfortable laughter >

James: ok… man, I KNEW this was gonna happen one of these days… OK, let’s sing this next one here.

Of course, I’ll never forget that song ever again.  But at that point, I just blanked. People were forgiving and I don’t think it ruined anybody’s prayer time that evening. At least I hope not.  Let’s just say I’m just glad I go to a church called GRACEpoint.

James Kim – Worship Director

Last Sunday, our graduating seniors sang “Available to You” as a song of commitment to live lives of availability to God and to others. Just wanted to post the lyrics to the song and a picture of the seniors.

Available to You

You gave me my hands to reach out to men
To show him your love and your perfect plan
You gave me my ears I can hear your voice so clear
I can hear the cries of sinners, but can I wipe away their tears
You gave me my voice to sing your Word
To sing all your praises to those who’ve never heard
But with my eyes I see Your need for more availability
I see hearts that has been broken, so many people to be free.

Lord I’m available to You. My will I give to You.
I’ll do what You say do. Use me Lord
To show someone the way, and enable me to say
My storage is empty, and I am available to You

Now I’m giving back to You, all the tools You gave to me.
My hands, my ears, my voice, my eyes; so You can use them as You please.
I have emptied out my cup, So that You can fill me up
Now I’m free and I just want to be more available to You.

Congratulations, seniors!

Dominic Mutto is our main keyboardist and veteran worship team member over at our Gracepoint Austin church in Texas. He was asked to put together an “Easter Orchestra” to play something special at their Easter Service.  I don’t know how many of you actually look for orchestral pieces, but believe me, it’s not easy, and it’s not cheap.  Additionally challenging is to find something given the parts of the orchestra that you have to work with.  Who knows when you’ll get stuck with a tuba, a piccolo, an electric guitar, a xylophone, and an accordion, and then have to put on an Easter orchestra?

Well, this isn’t quite that extreme.  But he did have some constraints to work within.  So he composed his own arrangement several songs, stringed together in a medley.  When I heard this, I was blown away.  I just wanted to share this with all of you.

He recorded it in Logic Pro, to hear what it was supposed to sound like.  And for the actual Easter Service, had how it actually went recorded.  Here are both of them.

Logic Pro Recording:

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Actual GFC Austin Recording:

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What was the name of that song again? If you are wondering what songs we sang during praise today, check here as I’ll be posting the praise set weekly. 

WORSHIP SET:

Now That You’re Near – Hillsong

Alabaster Jar – Gateway Worship

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin

Gracepoint Fellowship Church Worship Team