We always do a Christmas Eve service. This predates me as music director. All we do is an hour of carols and scripture readings with a short talk from one of the elders. The format is loosely two songs, scripture, two songs, scripture, etc. And we always end with Silent Night, but we cut the candles because wax got everywhere and the custodian would cry. And I use those same carols and arrangements the other Sundays of the month so that the band doesn’t have to learn a ton of new songs every week and top it off with a huge show. Because when would we rehearse that??
Gosh what did I discover here? A treasure, I tell you. Thank you very much for these videos and for this channel. May God bless you and your work and thank you for taking time to share so many lessons and a lot of encouraging words with us.
Such a great reminder as I was literally about to start putting together a worship set for Christmas Day Service and started to feel very overwhelmed. Thank you, brother! God bless you!
AMEN to traditional hymns! I don't lead at my church, but I do lead chapel at a senior community. We sing all traditional hymns and especially at Christmas just the traditional carols. Truly important for people to be able to sing along with what they know! If you want something modern, make it a special offering from the band to the Lord and let the congregation enjoy that without trying to sing along. I have done that with O Holy Night at the senior community and they love it. ETA - I want to see the flying drummers on ziplines! 😀
Thank you for this. I feel like people get so caught up in trying to make things big and beautiful . They are so caught up about sounding great and in their comfort zone and its about themselves. They forget it is about the message. Jesus was born in a manger not a mansion. Our focus should be on him and let go of the rest there is so much beauty and wonder on this alone.
Great advice! I love Reawaken Hymns too. I have had the opportunity to record background vocals for many of Nathan’s songs. His arrangements are excellent for all ages of people. I love keeping things simple as you suggest. So much pressure people put on themselves without any need for it.
I just want you to know that I follow you and this really spoke to me. I have a lot of stress about getting things ready for Christmas and a very busy full-time job and I was thinking in my mind. What am I gonna do? That’s going to be fantastic for Christmas in such a short time. This really spoke to me because it really does come down to the birth of Jesus Christ, the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection, which is the whole meaning of why he came in the first place I love the idea of simple Christmas hymns. We may throw in one new dynamic song, but I’d love it thank you for what you do and the ministry you put out to us! I have learned so much. I am kind of a reserve introverted type of person, but I have learned to put myself out there. Read scripture verses more and engage people in ways that we haven’t seenin about the 10 years I’ve been there. God bless you and all you do. May God bless everybody at their Christmas services this year and they’re every Sunday service!
I visited a church once that was over Two hours away. I loved it, but I watchrd the Christmas Eve service on the internet and the worship leader said you can do your tradional songs at home we're going to get loud. Completely turned me off.
I recommend, for those churches that only do things the way they have always done them and don’t put out any extra effort during Advent, consider trying something different. Spencer often gives advice from his “traditional is best”, “simple is best”, “one man show is best” perspective, but I have seen the churches that don’t try and they have 12 people with white/no hair and an out of tune piano being pounded on by a hard of hearing, arthritic pianist in a 150 seat worship hall. I agree with a lot of what Spencer is saying, and it works in reverse too. Evangelism matters, care for others matters, and that means creating something that people want to invite their friends and family to. It doesn’t have to be a “Spectacular Spectacular” but it should be inviting, welcoming and, at the very least, be executed at a level that is honoring to God. I know a lot more churches that have empty seats with less than 100 people regularly attending, that struggle to even host a special service rather than the 1% that have 5 packed out Christmas Eve services and the resources to make that happen. Many worship leaders are part time at best, and shouldn’t be trying to compete with the megas, but that also means they need to use the resources that are currently available, like modern worship arrangements and the tutorials that are available on youtube for free. It can be very hard to do traditional Christmas music, and if you aren’t a music major, it is time consuming to create your own. Maybe, instead of just telling people to do it differently, create the charts and provide a simple 5 instrument arrangement (drums, bass, guitar, electric guitar, and piano) of the top 10 Christmas songs done “traditionally”. Christmas is hard for worship leaders, and the “simplify” and “traditional” methods are much harder to execute than you are supposing, especially if you actually lead a team with multiple musicians and vocalists each week.
Wow u took the words from my mouth. I've moved to a new state in Australia and seeking a new church and the one im attending now struggles with their very below the standard of worship. Its so not welcoming or inviting thats why I left with is sad coz I don't think they know what they are doing. But I pray they will learn and grow. Bless their hearts for serving though.
Good advice. At a minimum, try to keep some tradition in Christmas. The new evangelicalism with its Sunday morning rock concerts is so cold and hollow. At this point, we live in community with friends, study the Word and enjoy one another’s company. The evangelical industrial complex with its trappings are heart breaking.
Christmas Carols have such great doctrine! We need to pass these songs to the next generation.
We always do a Christmas Eve service. This predates me as music director.
All we do is an hour of carols and scripture readings with a short talk from one of the elders. The format is loosely two songs, scripture, two songs, scripture, etc. And we always end with Silent Night, but we cut the candles because wax got everywhere and the custodian would cry.
And I use those same carols and arrangements the other Sundays of the month so that the band doesn’t have to learn a ton of new songs every week and top it off with a huge show.
Because when would we rehearse that??
Love Reawaken Hymns!! Thank you, Spencer… we need to return to the simplicity of the gospel. Come, thou long expected Jesus 🙏🏼❤️
Gosh what did I discover here? A treasure, I tell you. Thank you very much for these videos and for this channel. May God bless you and your work and thank you for taking time to share so many lessons and a lot of encouraging words with us.
Such a great reminder as I was literally about to start putting together a worship set for Christmas Day Service and started to feel very overwhelmed. Thank you, brother! God bless you!
Our church is over all that. We just want to worship and praise Jesus. So less stress on me haha. Pray all y’all have a blessed Christmas season!
Great take. Please keep pleading. Loved this 🙌 Thank you brother 🙇♂️ God bless you 🙏🙏🙏
AMEN to traditional hymns! I don't lead at my church, but I do lead chapel at a senior community. We sing all traditional hymns and especially at Christmas just the traditional carols. Truly important for people to be able to sing along with what they know! If you want something modern, make it a special offering from the band to the Lord and let the congregation enjoy that without trying to sing along. I have done that with O Holy Night at the senior community and they love it. ETA - I want to see the flying drummers on ziplines! 😀
Thank you for this. I feel like people get so caught up in trying to make things big and beautiful . They are so caught up about sounding great and in their comfort zone and its about themselves. They forget it is about the message. Jesus was born in a manger not a mansion. Our focus should be on him and let go of the rest there is so much beauty and wonder on this alone.
Thank you for a great place to come for so many resources and great content!
Great advice! I love Reawaken Hymns too. I have had the opportunity to record background vocals for many of Nathan’s songs. His arrangements are excellent for all ages of people. I love keeping things simple as you suggest. So much pressure people put on themselves without any need for it.
I just want you to know that I follow you and this really spoke to me. I have a lot of stress about getting things ready for Christmas and a very busy full-time job and I was thinking in my mind. What am I gonna do? That’s going to be fantastic for Christmas in such a short time. This really spoke to me because it really does come down to the birth of Jesus Christ, the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection, which is the whole meaning of why he came in the first place I love the idea of simple Christmas hymns. We may throw in one new dynamic song, but I’d love it thank you for what you do and the ministry you put out to us! I have learned so much. I am kind of a reserve introverted type of person, but I have learned to put myself out there. Read scripture verses more and engage people in ways that we haven’t seenin about the 10 years I’ve been there. God bless you and all you do. May God bless everybody at their Christmas services this year and they’re every Sunday service!
Thank you soooooo much. I was stressed!
💯
I visited a church once that was over Two hours away. I loved it, but I watchrd the Christmas Eve service on the internet and the worship leader said you can do your tradional songs at home we're going to get loud. Completely turned me off.
I recommend, for those churches that only do things the way they have always done them and don’t put out any extra effort during Advent, consider trying something different. Spencer often gives advice from his “traditional is best”, “simple is best”, “one man show is best” perspective, but I have seen the churches that don’t try and they have 12 people with white/no hair and an out of tune piano being pounded on by a hard of hearing, arthritic pianist in a 150 seat worship hall. I agree with a lot of what Spencer is saying, and it works in reverse too. Evangelism matters, care for others matters, and that means creating something that people want to invite their friends and family to. It doesn’t have to be a “Spectacular Spectacular” but it should be inviting, welcoming and, at the very least, be executed at a level that is honoring to God. I know a lot more churches that have empty seats with less than 100 people regularly attending, that struggle to even host a special service rather than the 1% that have 5 packed out Christmas Eve services and the resources to make that happen. Many worship leaders are part time at best, and shouldn’t be trying to compete with the megas, but that also means they need to use the resources that are currently available, like modern worship arrangements and the tutorials that are available on youtube for free. It can be very hard to do traditional Christmas music, and if you aren’t a music major, it is time consuming to create your own. Maybe, instead of just telling people to do it differently, create the charts and provide a simple 5 instrument arrangement (drums, bass, guitar, electric guitar, and piano) of the top 10 Christmas songs done “traditionally”. Christmas is hard for worship leaders, and the “simplify” and “traditional” methods are much harder to execute than you are supposing, especially if you actually lead a team with multiple musicians and vocalists each week.
Wow u took the words from my mouth. I've moved to a new state in Australia and seeking a new church and the one im attending now struggles with their very below the standard of worship. Its so not welcoming or inviting thats why I left with is sad coz I don't think they know what they are doing. But I pray they will learn and grow. Bless their hearts for serving though.
Good advice. At a minimum, try to keep some tradition in Christmas. The new evangelicalism with its Sunday morning rock concerts is so cold and hollow. At this point, we live in community with friends, study the Word and enjoy one another’s company. The evangelical industrial complex with its trappings are heart breaking.
his king...?
So... more Disney Princesses then?