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Posts by Kevin Larson

» On Taking the Lord’s Supper

Brothers, we are looking at different ways to celebrate the Lord's Supper at Grace Church. We do it weekly. Lately we have been passing out the elements and taking them, one at a time, together. What other ways have you done it? What do you prefer? Do you prefer approaches that emphasize our communion with each other or our communion with Christ Himself? How do we keep both in tension?

» Pray for Amy Wilhoite

I promise not to frequently post things not directly relevant to worship. However, a long lady began attending our church recently who has now been diagnosed with leukemia. It has been a hard road for Amy Wilhoite. But she and her husband Brandon, and their son Gary, have been a shining example of faith during trial to us. I hope by reading her blog, she will encourage you, as well. It has certainly helped me worship our Lord. Please read her blog and pray for her.

» Red Mountain Church

Brothers, I recently followed some links from the Indelible Grace site and discovered the music from Red Mountain Church of Birmingham, Alabama. I love this stuff! It's similar to Indelible Grace, but perhaps it's a bit more "rootsy." They do modern versions of old, often obscure hymns. It is fabulous. Check it out here. At some point, I may do reviews, but I recently bought Help My Unbelief and The Gadsby Project. I'm excited, as it gives our church just another good source of lyrically rich, yet culturally relevant, music.

» Death by Suburb!

On the recent Albert Mohler Program, Dr. Russ Moore sits in and talks about a new book, Death by Suburb. You need to listen to this. How do our church worship programs often make things worse? Listen here.

» Grace Gathering: 7.16.06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, July 16th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Psalm 46

Opening Song
A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Silent Prayer for Forgiveness
1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Songs of Meditation
O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile (Frederick Faber, Eric Ashley)
Before the Throne of God Above (Vikki Cook / Charitie L. Bancroft)

Scripture Reading
Proverbs 5

Song of Worship
Better is One Day (Matt Redman)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering
Thou Lovely Source of True Delight (instr.)

Message
Lust Tackled by the Gospel of Grace: Matthew 5:27-30

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
Thou Lovely Source of True Delight (Anne Steele, Kevin Twit)
Serving the Bread and the Cup

Confession of Our Common Faith
The Nicene Creed (Traditional English Version)

Lord's Supper
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Welcome to Guests
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Thanksgiving
Amazing Grace (John Newton)

Benediction
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

» Grace Gathering: 7.09.06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, July 9th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Colossians 1:15-20

Opening Song
Jesus, I Come (Greg Thompson / William Sleeper)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession: Reconciliation (Grace Church Confessions)



Leader:
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
--Matthew 18:15-18

God's People:
Father, Your word tells us that, if a brother sins against us, either directly by hurting us or indirectly by harming your church, we should approach him in love. But we have disobeyed... (continue reading...)

» Apologies for Being Quiet

Greetings, brothers and sisters! We still hope you come and visit our blog about worship. David has been on vacation. Eric just moved to a new pastorate. And I am just plain busy planting a church. I need to feed off their wise, stimulating posts. So, bear with us as we try to get this Doxologue thing a rollin'. :)

» Grace Gathering: 7.02.06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, July 2nd, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Psalm 93

Opening Song
Indescribable (Laura Story, Jesse Reeves)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
God, Be Merciful To Me (Christopher Miner)
Silent Prayer for Forgiveness
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15

Songs of Worship
It is Well With My Soul (Horatio G. Spafford)
In Christ Alone (Stuart Townend and Keith Getty)

Scripture Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Galatians 3:19-29

Song of Thanksgiving
Love Constraining To Obedience (William Cowper, Kevin Twit)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering
In Christ Alone (Stuart Townend and Keith Getty)

Message
The Law Fulfilled by the Gospel of Grace: Matthew 5:17-20

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
Beautiful, Scandalous Night (Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty)
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Welcome to Guests
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Commitment
I Boast No More (Isaac Watts, Sandra McCracken)

Pastoral Prayer
Closing Prayer

» New Sovereign Grace Songbook Available

Bob Kauflin, on his Worship Matters site, just introduced a new Sovereign Grace Music songbook. I am getting ready to order. I highly recommend their music for their theologically-rich, gospel-focused lyrics.

» Grace Gathering: 6.25.06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, June 25th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Isaiah 49:6

Opening Song
Arise, My Soul, Arise (Twit, Kevin / Wesley, Charles)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Silent Prayer for Forgiveness
Luke 4:17-20

Songs of Worship
The Solid Rock (Edward Mote)
Here I am to Worship (Tim Hughes)

Confession of Our Common Faith
The Church (Bethlehem Baptist Elder Affirmation)

Song of Commitment
Covenant Song (Eric Schumacher, Kevin Twit)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering
Here I am to Worship (instrum)

Message
Spreading the Salt and Light of Grace.Matthew 5:13-16

Scripture Reading
John 17

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
Jesus, With Thy Church Abide (Thomas Pollock, Christopher Miner)
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Welcome to Guests
Presentation of New Member
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Thanksgiving
How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin)

Sending
Sending 9.1.23 (The Worship Sourcebook)

» Grace Gathering: 6.18.06

Call to Worship
Psalm 89:5-8

Opening Song
Holy is the Lord (Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession of Sin 2.2.68 (The Worship Sourcebook)
1 Peter 2:24

Song of Meditation
'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus (Louisa Stead, William Kirkpatrick)

Scripture Reading
Daniel 3:8-30

Songs of Worship
Raise Up the Crown (All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name) (Perronet, Holden, Tomlin)
On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand (Samuel Stennett, Christopher Miner)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering

Message
Persecution because of the Gospel of Grace: Matthew 5:10-12

Song of Commitment
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken (Henry Lyte, Bill Moore)

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
The Wonderful Cross (Chris Tomlin, Dan Gailbraith)
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Welcome to Guests
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Worship
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman, Beth Redman)

Benediction
1 Peter 5:8-11

» Grace Gathering: 6.11.06

Call to Worship
Psalm 100

Opening Song
Forever (Chris Tomlin)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession of Sin 2.2.68 (The Worship Sourcebook)
Romans 5:1

Song of Meditation
There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood (William Cowper, William Horsley)

Song of Praise
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)

Song of Meditation
This Fathomless Love (Steve and Vikki Cook)

Scripture Reading
Ephesians 2

Song of Worship
God Who Saves (Aaron Senseman)

Offering
Offering Prayer
Receiving the Offering
God Who Saves--instrumental (Aaron Senseman)

Message
Peacemaking Through the Gospel of Grace: Matthew 5:9

Lord's Supper
Invitation to the Table of our Lord
The Power of the Cross (Keith Getty/Stewart Townend)
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Community Life
Announcements
Sharing and Praying

Song of Sending
Take to the World (Aaron Tate)

Benediction
2 Corinthians 13:11-14

» Grace Gathering: 6.04.06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, June 4th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Isaiah 40:21-26

Opening Song
The Glories of Calvary Grace Church (Steve & Vikki Cook)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Silent Prayer of Confession
And Can It Be? (v. 4, read)

Song of Prayer
Lift Up Thy Bleeding Hand (Cecil Alexander, Andrew Osenga)

Confession of Our Common Faith
The Eternal Purposes of God (Bethlehem Elder Affirmation) God’s Eternal Purpose and Election
We believe that God, from all eternity, in order to display the full extent of His glory for the eternal and ever-increasing enjoyment of all who love Him, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His will, freely and unchangeably ordain and foreknow whatever comes to pass.
We believe that God upholds and governs all things – from galaxies to subatomic particles, from the forces of nature to the movements of nations, and from the public plans of politicians to the secret acts of solitary persons – all in... (continue reading...)

» Grace Gathering: 5/28/06

Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 28th, 2006 10:00 am

Call to Worship
Psalm 96

Opening Song
And Can it Be? (Scott Roley/Charles Wesley)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God's People: But we have defiled our hearts with idols of our own choosing, doubting thatGod will keep his Word and his promises. We continually compromise the truth by trying to find meaning and security in our jobs, our friends, our pleasures, our projects—but not in God.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
1 John 1:9

Songs of Worship
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Steve & Vikki Cook)
Better is One Day (Matt Redman)

Confession of Our Common Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism Q37 & 38
Leader: Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
God's People: A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies,... (continue reading...)

» Key Worship Convictions of Grace Church

I put this together sometime ago, when I was sharing my vision for worship with Luke. Tell me what you think. I would love to read documents of some of you out there that have tried to do a similar thing.

Key Worship Music Convictions: Grace Church of Columbia

God-Centered Orientation: The service in general, and the songs in particular, should point people to God, not self.

Gospel Focus: The service and songs should remind participants of the gospel—that they are sinners saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.

Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.

Modern Expression: The best of today’s worship songs should also be used, allowing for modern expression of ancient truths, while still preferring God-centered, gospel-focused, and theologically rich songs.

Indigenous Style: The... (continue reading...)

» Grace Gathering: 5/21/06

I suggested recently to David and Eric that we begin posting our Sunday "orders of service" to promote discussion and provide ideas. Here is ours for tomorrow:

Grace Church of Columbia: Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 21st, 2006, 10:00 a.m.

Call to Worship/Welcome/Announcements: Lamentations 3:21-26

Opening Song: Jesus, Everlasting King (Isaac Watts, Matthew Smith)

Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon: Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God's People: But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others. We have been quick to place blame on anything or anyone but ourselves. We have avoided obligations to care for or to help people in need.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Titus 3:4-7

Songs of Meditation: Thy Mercy My God Is The Theme Of My Song (John Stocker, Sandra McCracken)
Only Hope (Charles Wesley, Randall Goodgame)

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Song of Prayer: Be Thou My Vision (Eleanor Hull)

Offering
Corporate Prayer: 4.4.17 from The Worship... (continue reading...)

» Together for the Gospel!

I just returned this weekend from hands-down the best conference I have ever attended. What a fabulous 3 days.

1) As a church planter, the conference was incredibly encouraging. I left encouraged to keep plugging away, keep trusting God's promise to build His Church His way.

2) I was greatly encouraged by the unity present at the conference across denominational lines. There was true brotherhood around the gospel without the "lowest common denominator" feel of other non-denominational events I have attended. The understanding of the gospel and of God and His Church was so marvelous that I felt more at home than had I been at a meeting of my own denomination.

3) It was a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and catch up with them. Nice to chat with you, David and Eric.

4) The worship through music was AMAZING. Bob Kauflin, if you read this, your song selection and humble leadership were greatly appreciated. It was a remarkable experience to sing such God-centered songs with 3000 passionate men. A preview of heaven, for sure, although the sopranos and altos there will round things out... (continue reading...)

» Singing to Jesus or My Prom Date?

The New York Times recently featured a story about a popular CCM/worship band. The article has interesting things to say about the state of Christian music and the evangelical subculture.

Read the article here.

Read Dick Staub's comments here.

» Stuck in a Rut?

Good post, Eric. Sometimes I think some of our churches are like pre-Vatican II Catholic ones. Everybody is talking in a completely different language. Nobody but the dudes up front know what is going on.

On the other hand, a lot of evangelicalism today is so completely disconnected from history. This is one thing that I think we can learn from the emerging church. Young people today don't just want relevance; they want historical connectedness. They want a big story to which they can tie themselves.

So, let's not overreact, Reformed community, and act like any pursuit of relevance amounts to selling out.

» Screwtape on Worship

Bob Kauflin has posted today a great letter from "Tapescrew" to "Woodworm." This is a play off of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. This short letter gives much truth about the problems in modern worship.

» Serving Assorted Preferences and Future Generations in Our Songwriting: Kevin’s Quick Response

An observation and follow-up question:

In our efforts to give authentic voices to the praises of modern people, we have, I think rightly, attempted to write modern worship songs. However, it often seems to me that much of the "modern" music really isn't that modern. This is possibly because it's written by more mature saints (a good thing), but the tunes often sound like they're microwaved from the previous decade.

Is it worth the effort to write "modern" worship songs?How can we give voice to modern man without becoming obsessed with being "hip?"How do we balance being culturally relevant with being historically connected? Or are either important at all?

» On Covenants and Those Who Sing Them

This is a previous post from my blog. Brothers, any other thoughts about singing covenants? What about other ways to utilize them in worship gatherings?At Grace Church, we see the great value in, not only holding to a confession of faith, but also giving ourselves to a church covenant. Mark Dever, in his great new book (with Paul Alexander), The Deliberate Church, says this about church covenants: As mentioned before, a church covenant answers the question, How do we commit to living together? The form of the covenant is the way we express our commitment. The content of the covenant is the way we understand our commitment. Our church here in Washington, D.C., was founded with such a covenant, and the original still hangs framed in our main meeting hall, complete with the original signatures from 1878. Requiring people to sign a church covenant lets them know that they will be expected not only to believe the statement of faith, but to live it. It also lets them know how they will be expected to live it out-- i.e., in clear ways that build up the corporate body and enhance the corporate testimony of the church in... (continue reading...)

» “God is my girlfriend” or Reflection of the Psalms?: Kevin

Although it's doubtful I'll be using "Draw Me Close to You" in the near future (we use tons of Indelible Grace, Getty, and Sovereign Grace), I think it's dangerous to make the kind of statements Colson makes. First, how dare we have requirements for song lyrics that the Psalmist himself couldn't stack up to! Second, to make mention of specific songs, in the manner Colson did, by no means reflects the love of Christ that should bind His people together. Simplistic proclamations deeming some songs as shallow and some not are not helpful. Regarding simple love songs, often the how is as important as the what. If we're stringing together scores of sentimental, shallow songs to form a complete worship service, that's not wise. Imagine if you just talked in sappy, baby speech to your wife all the time. Using a simple song in the context of several theologically rich songs, however, can be quite moving. For example, Chris Tomlin's "How Great Is Our God" is a simple, yet God-centered, song. Placed at the end of a song service, perhaps following "How Great Thou Art," results in a moving, fitting response to God's greatness. Colson is right that much... (continue reading...)

» Unbelievers in Easter Gatherings: Kevin

Eric raised a great question. How should we consider unbelieving guests as we plan our Easter gatherings? Here are five fairly obvious thoughts:

1) As Eric stated, we should be proclaiming the gospel and Christ's resurrection all the time.
2) It is wise, however, to particularly celebrate Christ's Resurrection at this point in the church calendar.
3) Nothing is better for a believer than seeing Christ's people worship Him with joy. We could do no more loving a thing than worship God so passionately in our meeting that he falls down saying, "God is really among you!" (1 Cor. 14:25). That is truly "seeker-sensitive."
4) However, we should not pretend that unbelievers will not be among us. We must seize this wonderful opportunity to proclaim the gospel simply and clearly during our Easter meeting, praying for the Spirit's work in their lives. We truly have a "captive audience" that comes perhaps once a year.
5) We must not do this in a way, however, that deprives the gathering body from celebrating Christ's resurrection. The purpose of our gatherings is to do just that-- gather as God's people to praise Him corporately. A meeting solely concerned with the seeker... (continue reading...)

» Good/Friday and Easter Songs: Kevin

Well, I started this discussion, so perhaps I should answer my own question:

Good Friday Songs (taken from our Good Friday gathering song list):
Thy Mercy My God is the Theme of My Song (Indelible Grace)
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
Beautiful, Scandalous Night (great tune by Daugherty, Hindalong-- "the Choir")
Who Is This So Weak and Helpless? (Indelible Grace)
Sacred Head, Now Wounded
How Deep the Father's Love for Us (Townend)
The Power of the Cross (Getty/Townend)
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile (Indelible Grace)
Lift Up They Bleeding Hand (Indelible Grace)

(as you can tell we love the IGrace stuff! we may add a few more in here, as well)

Easter Songs (gathering not planned; incomplete list)
See What a Morning (Getty)
Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley)
Beautiful Savior (Townend) (line: "you're the risen One; heaven's Champion")
Jesus Is Lord (Getty)
In Christ Alone (Getty)
He Is Risen (Schumacher)

I am very encouraged about the increasing quality of great Easter hymns! Soli deo gloria!

» Easter/Good Friday Songs?

Let me keep this going. Each of us will soon be planning Good Friday and Easter services soon. What, in your opinion, are the top songs our churches should be doing for each meeting?

» Top New Songs: Kevin

One thing great about starting a church is that you can set the "tempo" from the beginning. This applies also to worship music. Most of the songs we have sung have been new to our group. Here are a few of them (by the way, if all of you out there were using WorshipOrganizer, you could easily pull up a list of all the songs you have done; you're welcome, David!):

Indelible Grace
And Can It Be? (great upbeat remake of the original)
Arise, My Soul, Arise (an upbeat song that allows the congregation to preach the gospel at herself!)
Father, Long Before Creation (my favorite off of Indelible Grace IV; my 2-year old can belt this one out!)
I Boast No More (popularized by Caedmon's Call and actually on McCracken's latest)
Jesus, Everlasting King (powerful, powerful upbeat tune exalting Christ)
Jesus, I Come (super summary of the gospel)
O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile (perfect Lenten tune)

Assorted Other
The Glories of Calvary (great gospel-focused song)
The Gospel Song (gospel simply put; we've used it much during communion)
How Great Is Our God (quality modern song by Tomlin)
Indescribable (great modern hymn... (continue reading...)

» Top New Songs?

Brothers, what new hymns are you using in your church (not including your own)? What songwriters are really blessing you as of late?

» Neglected Themes: Kevin’s Response

Neglected song themes? How about...
Eschatology (last things)?Pneumatology (Holy Spirit)?The Fatherhood of God? (think of all the great truths there)Ecclesiology (so many great things that could be said about the church and what she is to be)Lastly... the gospel! I was downloading some song samples from a well-known praise and worship writer the other day, and I was astounded as to how little they spoke of Jesus and the cross. They seemed to be directed upward to "God knows where"-- some generic deity to whom even Oprah could sing.

» On Weekly Communion - Kevin’s Response to David

Since the Reformation, the church has noted two characteristics of a true church-- first, the right preaching of the word of God, and, second, the right administration of the sacraments or ordinances. In addition to everything else I said below, it would seem to me that, in our desire to be a healthy church, we would seek to practice with great frequency and much care, as it seems the early church did, both (preaching and ordinances) in church gatherings. Baptism, of course, is the entry rite of the church, the "front door," and will be practiced only as frequently as the Lord blesses. The ongoing ordinance of the Lord's Supper, however, along with preaching, should be practiced as often as the saints gather for corporate worship.

I do believe there is latitude in the churches for disagreement about frequency. David, I agree that quarterly is far too infrequent. However, I don't think monthly practice goes quite far enough. It seems wisest to celebrate the Lord's Supper, along with hearing the preached word, on a weekly basis.