Mike Koenning

Instrumental Worship Director

Practice Tips For Amateur Church Orchestras (part 3)

Now that we’ve discussed prioritizing and increasing practice opportunities, it’s time for the rubber to meet the road in terms of what we do while actually practicing. Sometimes you have more time to practice than others, and since I want encourage you to practice even if you only have a few minutes, I won’t specify exact lengths of each segment, since each of us is in a different place in terms of musical achievement and have different scheduling challenges; however, there is a hierarchy of priorities, so your practice sessions should include:

Prayer –It’s a good idea to invite God to your session, give the time to Him, and ask for His help and blessing. Remember your practice time is a devotional offering to Him.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” - Prov. 16:3

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Mat 6:33

A Warm-up– so important. If you only have a few minutes, a solid tuning and warm-up is the first and most important thing you should do – even if that’s all you do.

-       Tune. Check several notes in several registers with a tuner to get better acquainted with your instrument’s pitch tendencies.

-       Play long tones at different dynamics for tone quality and pitch. Try crescendos and diminuendos. Do you go sharp or flat as you increase or decrease volume.

-       Play through some scale and technical exercises in different keys, increasing tempo over time. Use a metronome. You will gain facility, rhythm, and confidence.

-       Try playing songs you know, like “Amazing Grace”, in more than one key without printed music. Over time, move on to other songs in other keys. This will train your ears and give you a sense of phrasing.

If you stop right there your practice has been a success. If you do only that much most days of the week, your musicianship will be transformed in no time, and if everyone in the orchestra did the same, the overall performance level of the orchestra will improve greatly.

Practice difficult passages – If you have some more time, get out your church orchestra folder and practice the more difficult passages. Focus first on those segments of your music that present technical, rhythmic, pitch, or other challenges. Using a metronome, practice small bits at a time, starting at a slow enough tempo so that you can play the passage correctly with good pitch, rhythm, and phrasing. Then bump the tempo up on the metronome and try again. Repeat the process over and again until you can play that part perfectly. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen for you in one practice session. Some parts need time to come together. After you’ve worked on the most troublesome parts, then it’s ok to play through whole pieces.

Listen! – If you have recordings of the pieces you are to perform, spend some time listening to them and playing along with them. This will help with phrasing, musicality and familiarity. You can only produce the correct sound on your instrument if you have the correct sound already in your ear.

Of course, this is just an outline and not meant as a detailed practice regiment. Do some research on your own online or with a private lesson instructor regarding resources to use for studying your particular instrument. If each of us in the church orchestra committed to a course of practice like this, imagine how worship services would be more engaging and enhanced with opportunity for deeper emotional connection. The sacrificial offering of a practicing church musician will lead to greater spiritual blessing for all during worship services.

 2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
³ Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy. - Psalm 33:2-4

As always, feel free to chime in with comments or suggestions of things that have worked for you to help you grow as a musician, particularly as a church musician in service of the Lord.

Mike Koenning

Instrumental Worship Director

Practice Tips For Amateur Church Orchestras (part 2)

In the last post, Practice Tips For Amateur Church Orchestras (part 1), I emphasized the need to practice individually as an offering to the Lord. This is a fun way to give time and talent back to Him.

“Do not neglect your gift… Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” - 1 Tim 4:14-16

Time is precious in our busy modern lifestyles, so this week I want to share ways to help find and maximize time on your instrument.

“Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” - Eph 5:15-19

Your practice sessions don’t necessarily need to be long. You can get something accomplished in 10 minutes. Even if all you do is a good warm-up, you will have gone a long way to improving your technique and sound. Therefore, with efficiency and efficacy in mind – more so than time management – here are some things to consider:

Prayer - first and foremost. We want to ask God for direction and blessing over our endeavors, for He gives a promise if we do.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” - Prov. 16:3

A dedicated practice space - you are more likely to practice if you have a space specially set aside for that purpose. Ideally it should be somewhat private, so you can close the door and not bother family members or be self conscious; however, if a dedicated room is not available, you should still carve out a special corner of your world for practicing. This space should contain:

your instrument

a chair

a music stand

your music and a pencil

a tuner and metronome (they have apps for that)

a music player – portable stereo or mp3 player

computer, smart phone, or tablet – would be great since it can play music and videos from a variety of media, including websites like planning center online. You can also use it to read music in pdf form, search musical terms, find info about your instrument or the music you are playing, etc.

It works best if you are able to leave most of these items in place. This way whenever you have a few moments you can start practicing instead of taking time setting up or skipping it all together.

Leave your instrument and music out - again, you are more likely to practice if your instrument is already put together on a stand, just waiting… wanting… willing… for you to pick it up. Also, you can’t practice your music if you don’t take it home.

These are some of the things you can do to increase your practice opportunities. Next time I’ll write about making the most of your time during practice sessions. What are some ways you have found to carve out some practice time in your schedule? Let us know in the comments.

Mike Koenning

Instrumental Worship Director

10,000 …And Much More

Last week I was inspired by the Matt Redman song “Heart Of Worship” to write about stepping back  – in spirit at least – from the trappings of a well designed and executed worship service in order to focus on the essential and fundamental reasons we worship by asking the questions: Who is God? What is true? Why are we here? Another Redman song, “10,000 Reasons”, inspires a follow-up. The chorus paraphrases Psalm 103 in which David instructs his soul to worship.

Bless the Lord, Oh, my soul.

Worship His Holy name.

Verse 1 speaks of reasons for daily worship, maybe even in spite of circumstances encountered in any particular day. Verse 3 speaks of a life of lived in worship, even until the end – especially at the end, since for the believer in Christ it is the beginning of eternal worship in the full glory of Heaven. It is Verse 2, though, that deals with our three questions.

You’re rich in love
and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great
and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
ten thousand reasons
for my heart to find.

What answers did you come up with last week to those questions? What reasons for worship did those answers produce? This week, read Psalm 103, make your own list, and share some with us in the comment section below. The song seems to say we should have no trouble finding 10,000. By the way, there is no rush to complete your list. Giving a nod to the hymn “Amazing Grace”, Redman’s song also points out, those whom Christ has given eternal life have “10,000 years and forever more” to work down the list.

Carla Dillard

Children's Minister

In Remembrance of HIM

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Every year at this very special time, boys and girls all over the world hunt for small, colorful plastic eggs filled with goodies.  At church we begin by filling them with very telling symbols.  Symbols of a great sacrifice and a great gift.  We call them Resurrection Eggs.  As each child opens one egg after another, they tell a very gripping story.  A story of love.

The first egg has a small donkey in it; symbolizing the donkey God provided for His precious Son to ride into Jerusalem. Egg number two has a small palm leaf in it.  While Jesus was riding into town, palm branches were waving and the crowd was shouting and cheering!  The third egg holds a small cracker and juice cup reminding us of the Last Supper our Savior shared with his disciples.  The fourth egg has three coins in it, symbolizing the money that Judas received for his betrayal of his Lord.  A sword is housed in egg number five, because as Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the soldiers came with swords to arrest Him.  When egg number six is opened, we find a reminder of the whip that Herod instructed the soldiers to use on our Savior. The crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head is symbolized in egg number seven.  A small cross is laying in egg number eight, the very symbol of the great sacrifice made by God through the death of His only Son.  Several small nails rattle around in egg number nine.  Soldiers nailed  Jesus hands and feet to the wooden cross.  As Jesus hung on the cross, He became thirsty and requested a drink from the soldiers.  They soaked a sponge with wine vinegar and gave it to Him.  So there is a small sponge in egg number ten.   Egg number eleven holds a small stone, the symbol of Our Lord and Savior’s resurrection!  Hallelujah!  The stone was rolled away.  Last but not least, in egg number twelve a ball of cotton is lying, reminding us that Our Lord is not dead! He rose into the clouds. He is Alive!

The culmination of this story is captured in this verse.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

The most important part of resurrection eggs is the story they tell.  The most important message we want boys and girls to learn is how much Jesus loves them, died for them, rose again and offers them the very free gift of salvation.   Don’t miss this very strategic opportunity to share this life changing story with your children!

In Remembrance of HIM

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture – Wk 10 Isaiah 41:10

As I began to seek His will and follow His course this week, I ran into an obstacle that gripped me and confused me;  Fear.  I had panic and doubt about the task set before me in my calling to ministry (all Christians are called to ministry).  I was not sure that I was capable of completing this task.  I was sure that it was in God’s will but fear was causing me to doubt.  Then, in my preparation and study for teaching a lesson about Peter, I was led to this passage to memorize:

“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 43:10 (HCSB)

Passage Reflections:

Do not fear, do not be afraid –  God tells me not once but twice to not fear what lies ahead of me.  I believe this double reminder is to ensure I recognize two AWESOME reasons for removing my fear.  Stop your fear Mike, do you realize Who is with you?

I am with you – the first AWESOME reason to stop fearing is that Mike is not alone.  God is with me.  He called me to accomplish His will and if I am in His will, there is nothing to fear.  I want to follow His will and should not fear when I am on His path because He is with me!

I am your God - the second AWESOME reason to stop fearing is that “I am” is my God!  He chose me and wants me to remember who He is….I need to remember all the “alls”, the “omnis” – He is all powerful, all knowing, all present.  Fear of this task has no place in His presence because nothing can stop my God!

I will strengthen you – He will give me strength for the task ahead.  As a matter of fact, He is my strength and teaches me that in my weakness, He is strong (2 Cor 12:1).  Why should I fear when He strengthens me.

I will help you – The Holy Spirit is not only my Comforter, but He is also my Counselor.  Why should I fear when He shows me the way.

I will hold on to you – He will not just give me strength and counsel but will also HOLD ON TO ME as I complete His task.  Remember, He is always present.

My righteous right hand - I cannot help but picture a daddy holding on to a child’s bike when they first begin to ride a two wheeler.  The hands of the daddy are right there guiding the bike to ensure that his child does not fall and that the fear of the moment is removed.  The father runs alongside the child.  This is very similar but there is a BIG difference with my Abba Father.  His hand is righteous and never makes a mistake.  I see this verse saying that He is always with me and continues to hold me with His perfect Hand.  He will not let me fall when I am walking on His path and in His will.

God knew I needed this passage this week to reflect upon and memorize as I seek to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

How can I fear when My God is with me and holding me with His Hand!

Praising Him

Mike

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture Wk 8 – Philippians 4:6-7

Peace is a wonderful word to me and listed as one of the great attributes given to me as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).  Jesus, my Lord and Savior, after telling His apostles about the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, in John 14:27 says that He will leave and give me Peace.  I believe that everyone is seeking peace in this broken world.  Some seek it in wealth, some in drink, some in medication, some in physical activity, some in love, some in knowledge, some in vacations and rest, and a variety of ways.  However, if I want peace and to remember how to find peace,then this verse shows me how to find it.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)

Passage Thoughts:

Don’t worry about anything – Anxiety always surrounds me and attacks me.  Family issues, money issues, health issues, work issues, school issues, people issues, economy issues….all cause anxiety and worry for me.  It is hard not to worry and be anxious but this verse starts off with a command to stop this worry.  It reminds me of the first word of last week’s passage – Listen!  I need to stop worrying and turn to God!  Anxiety is different than healthy concern.  Anxiety paralyzes us and prevents us from peace.  Concern is healthy in that it motivates us to take action.  One action of concern is prayer!

Everything – All things.  How often do I only turn to God with the big things but this verse says everything.  When will I realize that He is concerned about every little detail in my life.  He is not too busy to listen to me.  He is a Father who never stops listening.  He is beyond human comprehension with His ability to love.  Everything should be brought before Him.

Prayer and Petition - Isn’t petition prayer?  Why two words?  Because prayer is not just petitions!  Prayer is communicating with God and involves listening for His answer.  I need to remember that He always answers my prayers and gives me what I need.  The acronym ACTS is a great prayer format to follow – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Thanksgiving - He will answer.  I need to pray with expectations and rejoice in the peace that He will  give me with my anxiety.  I need to remember to thank Him.  I like how the acronym of ACTS has me giving adoring, confessing, and thanking before I make my requests.

Requests be made known to God – It is important for me to voice my requests and not just think them.  Even though I know He already knows my issues and concerns, saying them out loud to Him is important to me.  I need to lay them at His feet and accept that He is in control and perfectly knows what I need in every situation.  His ways and thoughts are not my ways and thoughts and therefore I will trust Him because He loves me and brings together everything for my good!

Peace of God - This is what I desire.  Jesus gave it to me and left it for me.  He is God.  Everyone wants this and Jesus died for my sins so I could have peace with my Creator and therefore enjoy the peace of God when I am anxious.  I need to believe in HIm and His resurrection to have this peace.

Surpasses every thought – I always want to understand everything but I need to find peace in knowing that His peace is beyond comprehension.  That is a blessing!

Guard your hearts and minds - Anxiety attacks my emotions and my thoughts.  God’s peace guards them and allows me to stay focused on Him and my calling to serve Him.  Anxiety conforms me to this world but God’s peace helps me renew my mind so I can discern His will (Romans 12:2).

In Christ Jesus - He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to give me this heavenly peace.  I must believe in Him to have this peace.  Christ – my Savior – the One who brought me Peace!

May you have the peace of God, which surpasses all thoughts, as you study, reflect, and memorize this passage!

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture Wk 7 – Deuteronomy 6:4-6

This is the 7th week and with the Biblical significance of the number 7, then it is very appropriate that I have been led to memorize this Scripture during the 7th week.  The first two verses are the Shema and should be very familiar to anyone of the Jewish faith.  It should also be very familiar to me as my Lord and Savior was a Jew.  Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke quoted this passage and remarked about its significance to my life.  He called it the Greatest and Most Important Commandment!  I need to know this verse.

“Listen, Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (HCSB)

Comments on the Passage:

Listen – How important it is for me to grow still and LISTEN.  Pay attention Mike, this is an important message.  Stop being so busy that you cannot hear the truth of this passage.

The Lord our God, the Lord is One - My God, My Heavenly Father, is ONE.  He is unique and awe-inspiring.  He is Three and He is One.  His ways and thoughts are not mine but I need to understand that He is One.  The personal pronoun he should always be capitalized when I refer to Him.

Love – I have studied enough of the Bible to understand how important this word is and how often I fail to properly understand the depth of this one word.  God is Love (1 John 4:8).  Love never ends (1 Cor 13:8).  I am commanded to Love my God with everything I have and own.  He is to be pursued, He is first.  Jesus, my Lord, tells me how important this command is and the Holy Spirit counsels and empowers me to follow this command.  The next three phrases emphasize that every part of me needs to follow this command!

All your heart – To me, the heart reference is to the center of my being.  It is where my thoughts and actions originate.  It is Mike and what makes Mike me.  It is where I must take the Word of God and plant it deeply into me.  It all starts here and from this center, my Love for God must be placed.

All your soul – My spiritual side of my being.  The invisible qualities that I possess.  My intellect, my thoughts, my emotions all need to Love God.

All your strength – My physical side.  The qualities that are seen by others.  Do they see my Love for my God?  My hands, my feet, and especially the words that I speak…do they show my Love for my God?  I can’t help but think that if my heart and soul Love God, then my strength will follow.  How silly of me to try to physical show my Love for God without my heart and soul.  I won’t last long with that type of thinking.  My strength is very weak without the Holy Spirit empowering it.

To be in your heart - this phrase re-emphasizes where I need to start with His words.  I need to start at the center of who I am by loving the great “I am”!

I need to stop and LISTEN.  I needs to LOVE God with all his being.   I need to plant this passage deep into my HEART.

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture Wk 6 – Romans 8:28

This is one of the most memorized Scripture verses and it should be as a Christian can draw great strength from this verse in Romans.  As I seek to renew my mind with His word, I need to understand how He is always working for my good.  I need to remember that His way and thoughts are NOT my ways and thoughts but He is still working for my good.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God:  those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (HCSB)

Scripture Thoughts:

We know - that is me!  I am supposed to know and understand this verse.  If I look above this verse, I need to understand that Paul has been talking about our struggles and our sufferings that we encounter when we live for Christ.  Christ, in dying for me, conquered sin and broke my slavery to sin.  However, the world is still with sin and I am very capable of sinning even though I am not a slave to sin.  I will struggle but I now have the help of the Holy Spirit in me for this struggle!  I need to KNOW this so I can REMEMBER what God is doing for me.

All things together - Everything.  All.  What is not covered in this simple phrase.  God is in control and is sovereign.  He has a plan to even set the world free from its corruption!  Read about that a few verses above in 8:21

Good - This is Awesome.  God is working for my good!  My problem is that I too often interpret this as my definition of good….health, wealth, no problems, no issues, peace on earth, etc…..anything that gives me satisfaction and is focused on my desires of the flesh.  I need to understand that this good is His good and I need to seek to align my views with His views of this definition.  God’s plan for my good may include health, wealth, and peace on earth…..however, I KNOW God’s plan for my good includes Joy, Love, Hope, and Peace with Him.  The fruit of the Spirit in Galations 5:22 comes to mind as I dwell on this.  He is working for my good and I need to renew my mind by seeing His perspective of good!

Love God - Do I love God?  What does this mean?  Do I call him Daddy?  I loved my earthly father and I called him Dad.  I LOVE my heavenly father and call Him “Abba” – Daddy.  He is first in my life and I need to love him with ALL my HEART, with ALL my SOUL, with ALL my MIND (read Matthew 22:37).

Called - He is calling everyone.  He has called me and I have answered Him.  I have heard His voice.  Have you?

According to His Purpose – He has a purpose for me.  In answering His call, I need to realize that He has a purpose for me.  He saved me DESPITE my sins, my selfishness, my pursuit of my way.  He did the work that I could not do in breaking my bonds to sin.  He has a purpose for me and to me it is very simple – SERVE HIM FOR HIS GLORY!

That is GOOD

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture Wk 5 – Isaiah 55:8-9

This is another important verse for me to reflect upon as I seek to renew my mind with His Word.  I really enjoy doing puzzles and finding the right answer.  I also like to solve problems and have a tendency to think that with enough time, every problem is solvable.  Being a problem solver is a great characteristic and helps me accomplish many tasks.  However, it far too often allows me to become self reliant on my own intelligence and increases my pride in my accomplishments.  This causes me to attempt to solve problems without the help of My Lord and in my own way.  His help and His way is always right!

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.  This is the Lord’s declaration.  For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thought than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 (HCSB)

Scripture Thoughts -

For - An amazing link to verse 7 where God states that He will freely forgive the wicked and sinful ones who abandon their thoughts and ways and return to Him.  It makes me realize how merciful our God is as He reconciled me to Him.  All sin separates us from His Holiness.  However, he freely forgives ANY sin.  He did the work and I did not earn it.  He sent His Son to die for my sins.  Christ rose so that I might have new life with Him.

Your thoughts, Your ways - These refer to the ways of Mike and thoughts of Mike.  I have a lot that are honed by experience and proven to be successful by this world’s standards.  Some are even considered wise by mankind.  But how do they compare to God’s way’s and God’s thoughts?

My thoughts, My ways - These are God’s thoughts and God’s ways.  He is all knowing and is the Creator.  While I am made in His image, I am not Him and will never reach the depth of His knowledge or fully comprehend His ways.  He is God!

Heaven is higher than earth - In my opinion, this height comparison has NO measurement.  It simply means to me that there is NO appropriate comparison to my thoughts and ways to His Thoughts and Ways.  Knowledge and Wisdom begins and ends with HIm.

If I am going to renew my mind, it needs to be with His Thoughts and His Ways.  Simple Absolute Truth!

Mike Stevens

Administration Pastor

Memorizing Scripture – Wk 4 John 3:16

Welcome to week 4 in my journey to memorize a Scripture passage each week for 2013.  I truly have been blessed by the first 3 weeks of passages as I seek to renew my mind and be transformed by His Word.  This week’s passage is well known to any sports fan as we often see it displayed on a sign at a sporting event.  But do we understand this verse?  Do we claim this verse for ourselves?  As you read this verse and memorize it, make sure you reflect on its amazing meaning.  Reflect on who God is to you!

“For God loved the world in this way, He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (HCSB)

Scripture Thoughts:

God loved - the term used for love is agape.  I should not confuse this with a worldly concept of love.  Agape love is a Christian trait and is empowered by the Holy Spirit.  It is a love that sacrifices the desires of the flesh so that the desires of the Holy Spirit can be met.  1 John 4:7-8 teaches us about agape.

The world – All, everyone, and in particular, me and you, the reader of this verse!

He gave – Not sent as a messenger, but gave as a sacrifice.  God gave His one and only Son!  Agape is sacrificial.  Yes, Jesus was a great teacher and we need to listen to His words.  But, most importantly, we need to understand His willing sacrifice for our sins.  God gave Him not to warn us but to save us!

Son - Jesus Christ, my Lord!  To me Jesus represents the man, Christ represents the Savior, and He is my Lord!

Believes - do I understand the depth of this word.  It is not simply “knowing” about Jesus.  It implies a heart knowledge of Him.  A heart that is deeply rooted with His words.  A heart that results in Agape.  A heart that results in being the Salt and Light to the world.  My head knows about Him, my heart believes in Him, and my hands act for Him.  This belief is from the heart!

Not Perish, Eternal life - I put these together because of the contrast.  If you read on in the passage it is very clear that non-belief leads to condemnation.  There is a choice that I must make.  I know that I will die a physical death (unless He comes before then) but I will not die a spiritual death because I believe in Him.  Rejoice if you also believe in Him.  If you do not, then make the choice.  Read Romans 10:9-10.

What a blessing to read, reflect, and memorize this Scripture!

Praising Him

Mike