• All Creatures (D)
• Love the Lord (G)
• Yes to you (C)
• How He Loves (D)
• Beautiful Scandalous Night (G)

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

Pastor Mitch Klein continues in the series through Mark with the message: “Start Acting like Children”  from Mark 10:13-16

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/051312message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact, you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

• My God is so BIG
• Furious (C)
• Forever Reign (C)
• How He Loves (C)
• Jesus Loves Me (C)

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

• Let the Walls Fall Down (G)
• O for a Thousand Tongues (G)
• Christ is Risen (G)
• O Great Light of the World (G)
• Jesus Loves Me (C)

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

I am so excited to tell you that we are having another Focus Worship Workshop at Cedarhome, and this one is shaping up to be even better than the last one!

We had lots of positive feedback on our last one and the #1 area for improvement last time was having classes with more structure, descriptions and separation into beginner and advanced sections, so this is how the schedule is going to line up for this time:

And here are descriptions of the classes:

Large Group Classes in the Worship Center

Advanced Band Workshop Topics (led by Jason and the guest team)

• Playing Live with a click
• Nashville Numbers, Changing Keys, Improvisation: melodies that work, riffs that repeat
• Playing what you hear on the MP3/CD: learn the skills, resources to hear parts, learning to chart
• Arranging the Band: (Refreshing a standard song)
• -changing the style
• -changing the groove, add drum loop
• -adding a piece from another song
• -adding a different sound/instrument
• -changing tempo
• Letting the song breathe and not overplaying
• Transitions from one song to the next
• Writing and recording your own songs/CD

Beginning Band Workshop Topics (led by Jason and the house band)

• Practicing with a click
• Learning about and using Nashville numbers
• Simplifying arrangements
• Improvisation for beginners: How do I start?
• Taking away the music/music stands
• Letting the song breathe
• Resources for learning parts
• Discipleship: teaching what you know, finding mentors
• Training Resources

“Creating Moments” Professional Coaching for Worship Teams

This session will help your worship team move from simply playing a set of songs, to creating and accentuate heart-moving moments in every song you lead. How to move from orchestra pit musicians who have been mistakenly put on the platform, to a team of lead worshippers, engaging the congregation and inspiring them to worship.  Led by well-known band coach, Ali Anderson, and producer-composer/arranger-recording mixing engineer, Scott Anderson. 

Small Group Classes

Descriptions coming soon…!

For more up to the minute info go to:

www.cedarhome.org/focus

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/040112Message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact, you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

Hosanna (G)
Furious (C)
How He Loves (C)

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/040112Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

Here is a beautiful version with fancy text and high quality audio:

And here is another with words that are a bit easier to read

This is a terrific song by Matt Maher.  Please help us support him by buying your own copy of his song on Amazon or Itunes or your favorite music store!

Christ is Risen

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer’s crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Rise up from the grave…

O Happy Day medley (G-C)
Sweetly Broken (B)

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/032512Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

Meet With Me (G)
Counting God (B) (G)
Before The Throne (D)
You Wont Relent (E)
Jesus Loves Me (E)

 http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/031812Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/030412Message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact, you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

Before the Throne of God Above (D)
My Savior Lives (B)
Sweetly Broken (B)

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/030412Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

Please take  listen and learn it so we can sing it together next week.

-jason

Jason Chollar and Cedarhome’s worship band lead the congregation in singing with the following songs:

• Shout it out (G)
• Furious (C)
• Lord, reign in me (C)
• Wonderful Maker (G)
• O come let us adore Him (G)

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/. All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

JAM and Worship Practice are canceled today due to snow.  Stay safe and warm!

Pastor Mitch brings us a message called “Riding out the Storm” from Mark 6:45-62.

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/010812message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

Cedarhome starts the year off right with looking at a whole bunch of verses and reasons for “Trusting God for What’s Ahead”.   Listen as Pastor Mitch brings it!

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/010112message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

1. Yes to You (D) by Jason Chollar
2. Your voice (Awesome God) by Vicky Beeching (G)
3. How he loves (C) by John Mark McMillan
4. Jesus loves me (C)

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2012/010112music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/.All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

I have decided it would be good for all of us to take a break for a week, so no JAM, Dinner or Worship Practice tomorrow, Wednesday Dec 28th 2011.

Also, remember that we have just 1 service on Sunday, so you get to sleep in for an hour! If you are requested to come, just come on down at 8:30 for soundcheck and final run through. It will be cool to have everyone mixing from both services!

May God’s blessings be upon you!

Thanks,

Jason Chollar
Cedarhome Baptist Church

Read this fascinating article:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/11/need-to-create-get-a-constraint/

How does this apply in church?  Write an amazing song that is actually singable by the congregation!  Work within your budget!  Write your own songs instead of learning others.  Make your own charts instead of buying them.  Make your own artwork from inexpensive supplies.  Challenge yourself! Who knows what you may come up with!

You can see a great TED talk about how architecture effects music:

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_byrne_how_architecture_helped_music_evolve.html

I have a friend who says they removed some panels which really helped the congregation hear themselves sing … and it’s made a big difference.   I know the room we used to meet in was better for congregation because they could hear themselves.  Many rooms are very difficult to do loud rock music in, … drums are loud in and of themselves … especially if you want the congregation to be able to hear themselves.

We are currently meeting in a temporary space that will eventually become the lobby … so there’s only so much we can do now… At first I was worried about it being too reverberant, too live … but now I see that I wish it was MORE live.  I’m trying to brainstorm to see if there’s anything inexpensive that I can do about it… and even more importantly, what I can do once we build out the new room.  I am thinking of possibly a clamshell front wall that reflects the sound of the congregation singing back at them. …. It’ll be a multipurpose room that will function as a basketball court too.  Can that work?

What do you say?  What spaces have you been in that were ideal for congregational singing with a modern rock band?  How did they achieve that?

Give me some feedback with some pictures!

Here’s a picture of our current sanctuary…

There’s no One like our God (G) Vicky Beeching
Furious (A) Jeremy Riddle
You Love Me (C) Cedarhome Worship Team
Jesus Loves Me (C) Kids Song

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2011/110611Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/.All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by clicking on their names and buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

What makes me say that?

The Bible tells me so!

Psalm  98:4 (KJV) “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

or how about

Psalm 33:3 (ESV) “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

Feel free to check out those versions in your own favorite translation… it might say “shout” instead of “loud” but shouting kind of implies loudness, don’t you think?

Why does God want us to shout?  Shouting indicates passion and conviction!

The other side….the quiet side…

I know some churches are quite comfortable being silent before the Lord, and that is certainly a good thing at the right time.  It is good to have awe and respect and reverence for the Lord at the right times, and I think some churches definitely need to spend some time being quiet more often. There is a time for silence that is purposeful.  If you are uncomfortable being quiet before the Lord, it may well be that you are trying to avoid hearing his still small voice.

Back to the Loud side….

However, if the only expression of worship that you are comfortable with is being still, … you and your congregation may well be missing out on some of the blessings that come from being fully, passionately obedient to the scriptures.

Here’s another one, just in case you think I’m exaggerating:

Psalm 47:1 (NIV1984) “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

Can we be too extreme?  Can we be fake?

Yes, certainly.  We don’t want to damage people’s hearing.  Most of our churches are FAR from that.  And external expression can be a lie.  It doesn’t necessarily give an accurate representation of what is going on internally.  However, if you say you are passionate about Jesus and your external worship never reflects that … is it really true?  God wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  Get your emotions involved.  Get your body involved.  Sing it like you mean it!  Use your mind and the very depths of your soul too.  I believe you will be rewarded!

So, now that I have talked to all of us as leaders and congregation, let me speak for a moment to my musicians and sound engineers:

On a music theory note, one of the main questions we ask when examining music is:  How Loud? (When? What? How Loud?)

Band and singers: How are you flowing with the dynamics of the music on Sunday morning?  Are you really conscious of them?  They can be a huge tool in helping to express emotion musically.  Please pay attention!  A great thing to do is to take a chord or a short progression and practice moving the dynamics up and down, following the leader.

Sound techs:  Don’t over-compress!

Part of the typical makeup of a sound engineer is that he/she wants to control.   You certainly want to avoid feedback. You also definitely want to make sure the words don’t get lost and people can’t understand what is being said.  And no one likes to hear complaints about how everything is “too loud”.  However, if you take away all dynamics in a song, you very well might be counteracting the exact effect that the leader and the band is purposefully trying to have.  The whole start of this article I am writing came from this CNET piece about how a lot of modern music is being ruined by over compression:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20128489-47/is-music-too-loud/?tag=cnetRiver

Sound engineers and musicians, please check it out and then let me know what you think.

Here are more great articles on “How loud is too loud” in church:

http://www.experiencingworship.com/articles/sound/2001-9-How-Loud-is.html

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/sometimes_its_hard_to_be_quiet/

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/safety_first_how_loud_is_too_loud/

Question for everyone: tell me about times when the music was too loud or too soft or too flat.  What is it like it your (our) church?  How can we find a better balance?

Feedback please!

Here are my notes!

Theology of Worship and Music

What is Worship Theology?

-Theology [Theos        Logos]

“God”  “Word/Teaching”

-Worship  [Wor          Ship]

“Worth”   “Scribe”

narrow and broad definition: use words, music, art AND life (both/and, not either/or)

Worship is the natural response to God revealing himself to us.

Worship Service (who are we serving and worshipping?)

Why do we worship God?

Because his fragile ego needs it?  Because his pride needs it?  Because He needs it? NO!

1. God is Most worthy, more worthy than anything else, it is RIGHT to praise him
2. Communication is a natural, essential part of loving relationship
3. Worship is natural response (think every contact with Angels, God, …) to coming into contact with God
4. We are forgetful.  We need worship to help us remember, to remind us of who God is
5. Evangelism (great commission: tell others about God)
6. Infinite (Can constantly explore who God is: mountain illustration)
7. Worship Changes us (moses, disciples, …)
8. Battle: Spiritual Warfare (Jehoshaphat)
9. We are made in the image of God: Creative (Gen 1)
10. He tells us to! (throughout the Psalms, Eph, Col, …)

We use music to help us worship God by: 

1.Remembering God
2.Expressing emotions
3.Celebrating who he is
4.With all our Hearts, Soul, Mind, Strength together in unity!

 Key Worship Words in the Bible

Hebrew: Shachah (Shaw-kaw)    : to bow down

Greek: -Proskuneo: to kneel, bown, to kiss the royal hand

-Latreuo/Latreia : to serve God

Key Scriptures on Worship:

-Gen 1:1 (creation)

-Gen 3:8 (walk in the garden)

-Deut 5 (10 commandments: have no other gods, no idols, …: worship only God)

-Deut 6:4-6 (Shema – Great commandment: Love)
+ Matt 22, Mark 12, Luke 10:26 …

-Ex 15 (first song: Moses)

- 1 Samuel 16:7 (God looks at the heart)

-II Sam 6 (bringing ark to temple, Uzzah’s death, Michal’s scorn)

-1 Kings 8:10 (Glory of God comes like a cloud at temple dedication)

-2 Chronicles 20 (Jehoshophat sends singers in front of the army)

-Psalm 33:3 (play skillfully!)

-Psalm 69:30-32 (God loves praise more than sacrifices)

-Psalm 150 (let everything that has breath praise the Lord)

-Matthew 18:20 (where 2 or more are gathered…)

-John 4:23-24 (worship in spirit and truth)

-Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 (psalms, hymns, spiritual songs)

-Hebrews 10:25 (do not give up meeting together …)

-Revelation 4, 5, 7, 19, 20 (worship of creation, creatures, saints, angels, …)

-Rev 21:3-4 (God will dwell with his people, wipe every tear from their eye)

-Rev 22:8-9  (don’t worship angels)

Greatest commandment:

Love God with all that you are  (+ neighbor as yourself)

-Heart

-Soul

-Mind

-Strength

It’s about loving relationships with communication at it’s core:

-Listen (nature, bible, heart to heart, wisdom of elders, …)

-Speak: worship

102311Message.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/

Come, Now is the Time to Worship (D) Brain Doerksen
Strenght and Honor (G) Jason Chollar
Counting on God (B) Jared Anderson
Stand in Awe (G) Jeremy Riddle
He is Lord (D) Johnson, Cloninger, and Fettke

102311Music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/.All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by clicking on their names and buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/2011/100911music.mp3

You can right click the links and choose “save (link/target) as …” to download to your own computer in order to listen to later, to put on your iPod or burn your own CD.  In fact,  you can access our entire library of audio files at www.cedarhome.org/mp3/.All the chordcharts are available at www.cedarhome.org/chordcharts.  Help us support the artist by clicking on their names and buying the original tracks on iTunes!  Thanks!

Strength and Honor

Strength and Honor
In His strength, to His Honor
We will live
We choose to live

The LORD is my strength and my song
He has become my salvation
This is my God and I will praise Him

He is my father’s God
And I will exalt Him
The LORD is a warrior
Jehovah is His name

Words & Music by Jason Chollar and Tory Early (cc) 2011
Verse from Exodus 15

http://cedarhome.org/mp3/songs/strengthandhonor.mp3

http://www.worshipbackingband.com/

So why do I say it’s one of the best tools for training worship bands?  You can SOLO each of the instruments!  How often have you struggled to figure out exactly what instrument was playing what, how many guitars are going, etc… well, these are top notch recordings and you can solo each instrument.  You can have all the instruments play except yours, or just in one ear so you can hear how your playing stacks up against the original.

They even have tutorial videos for some of the instruments on some songs where you can watch the player walk you through how to play the song.

It’s really, really, cool and I am planning on using it at worship practice for my team this week!

More later!

-jason