WORSHIP TEAM

To the Worship Team: 
 
Hello brothers and sisters, 
   It is my hope the following information will assist us in our duties as members of the worship team. We have a tremendous responsibility, and it is a great honor for us to be able to serve God in this way, and to be able to positively contribute to the community. To help us streamline our efforts, please check this page weekly for updates. Please also do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please visit The Word Church webpage to familiarize yourself with it by clicking HERE. Above all, I pray we act together in complete unity, transparency, honesty, and love, in Christ Jesus. Amen. 
 
1. DO GOOD WORKS 
Please remember that our spiritual state will be reflected in what we do, and that includes what we play on our instruments, whether it be instrumental, vocal, or technical. Therefore, it is essential to have the spirit of goodness in mind when we perform.  See Ephesians 2:10 (KJV). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are created to do good works.
 
How does that translate to worship team? It means exactly what it says. We do good works. How though? We need to practice and prepare ourselves because it will help us in doing the good works we want to do. Doing good works also means we don’t allow prideful thoughts to cloud our judgement. Personal pride and egoism are not good for us. Egoism is a poison that will destroy us, distance us from God, and thereby dismantle the worship team. Our identity is found in God; not the worship team, not our instruments, not our music, not a church organization, but in God and God alone. Identity rooted in personal pride is toxic to us, because it does not lead to good works that recognize and glorify God; personal pride glorifies the individual, not God. See Proverbs 16:18 (KJV). “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Therefore, when we practice, we pray, and remember why we practice and perform, not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God. We are ourselves instruments the Lord may use at His discretion toward furthering worship and awareness in the congregation and community. We also need to keep ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy to carry out our responsibilities in the church. 
 
2. PLAY SKILLFULLY 
King David was a skilled musician. See 1 Samuel 16:16 (KJV). “Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player…” Also see 1 Samuel 16:18 (KJV). “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing…” One might wonder, what if David was not good at playing music? Would David have met Saul? Well, we can surmise that the answer is no, because Saul was seeking a skilled player and if David wasn’t skilled, Saul would have looked for someone else. Nonetheless, God’s plan was for Saul to seek a skilled player and that skilled player was David. And why was this? Well, Saul was troubled by an evil spirit and it was the music David played that helped alleviate his condition. See 1 Samuel 16:23 (KJV). “David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” Notice, the evil spirit departed after David played. David was anointed and skilled at playing. Therefore, the evil spirit departed when David played with skill. Also see Psalm 33:3 (KJV). “Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.” Again we see the idea of playing skillfully, and not only skillfully, but loudly as well.
 
How does this relate to worship team? Practice the songs ahead of time. Learn the scales, sounds, chords, harmonies, rhythms, melodies, words, and practice with a metronome. Repetition is the key to getting comfortable with the music. When we’re in front of a group, it’s not the same as being in our private practice room, and nerves can kick in, plus there are other noises and a lot of potential distractions, so we really need to be extra solid on our parts. Play with authority, meaning to play loudly, or to be heard. If we find ourselves getting softer for a reason other than dynamic contrast, it probably means we’re not solid on our parts. Also important: don’t stress out. No one is asking you to be a virtuoso. If God’s plan is for you to be part of the worship team, and you accept it, that means you accept the basic responsibilities of knowing the songs and having a normal level of comfort with them. If you mess up, don’t beat yourself up. Accept the mistake, and work on it. We’re all learning together. 
 
3. HAVE A WISE HEART 
We want to do good works and to play skillfully, but this isn’t just any kind of skill, so let’s not get confused. Exodus 35:10 (ESV) says, “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded:” Here we see “skillful” again. But, look at Exodus 35:10 (KJV) by comparison: “And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;” Interesting. Same verse, different translation, slightly different meanings. One (ESV) says “skilled craftsman” and the other (KJV) says “wise hearted.” Well, let’s go a bit deeper and consider this word study article: https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2012/10/word-study-wise-heart/ and this one: https://www.accidentaltalmudist.org/torah/2023/03/15/vayakhel-pekudei-wise-hearted/ (also see https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/35-10.htm) 
 
This is not just ordinary skill we’re talking about. This is skill that proceeds from a wise heart. We’re not practicing to show off skills, or to think ourselves cool or impressive to anyone. We’re not developing skills because we want to be admired by human beings and to have our friends and family give us their approval. Those things may be nice, but our focus is to develop our own heart and our relationship with God. Our skillfulness reflects that. As members of the worship team, we openly share, through music, with the congregation, and serve as guides. Remember, David didn’t go to Saul just to impress him with his fast arpeggios; he went to evict an evil spirit. David was both anointed and skilled. If he did not have a wise heart, his skill would be ineffective. If he had good intentions in his heart, but didn’t materialize them in skillfulness, he would also be ineffective. 
 
How does this relate to worship team? Let our hearts be wise and let our hearts do the “talking” when we play, whether it be private practice or public performance. The more we practice and get comfortable in our skillset, the more we can freely allow our heart to guide our skillfulness, rather than worry about what chords we’re playing, what the words are, what the melody/harmony/form is, etc. If we come to rehearsals unprepared, we’re in danger of ignoring what the good spirit in our heart wants to express, because we’re overly concerned with the music theory and the technical elements of the musical performance. Therefore, learn the music well, be prepared, and it will be easier to let your heart do the talking. Learning the music well and preparing in advance will help alleviate any stress or nervousness that may arise from pressure concerning performance.   
 
 
PLEASE FIND OUR SCHEDULED PRAISE SONGS WITH INDEX AND PERFORMANCE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW 
 
If you are scheduled on a team and plans change, causing you to miss rehearsal or service please contact me to inform me in advance so alternate plans can be made.
 
Contact me if you need the music.
 
 
APRIL 21, 2024
 
“Fire” 
E Major, Susan (guest)
Songwriters: Cece Winans, Kyle Wayne Lee, Dwan Hill
 
“Evidence”
E Major, John
Songwriters: Ed Cash, Ethan Hulse, Josh  Baldwin
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in G Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBkh6cYgfE
 
“Waymaker”
C Major, Miki
Songwriters: Osinachi Okoro
 
“Holy and Anointed One”/”Waymaker”
D Major, Lora
Songwriters: John Barnett
 
APRIL 28, 2024
 
“Battle Belongs”
— Major, John
Songwriters: Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
EXAMPLE TRACK (in D-Flat Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvQNzPHn-w
INSTRUMETNAL PRACTICE TRACK: 
 
“Graves Into Gardens”  
A Major, Lora
Songwriters: Christopher Joel Brown, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Tiffany Hammer
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in A major): https://youtu.be/UWjKRNu7WMc?si=O56WJ-XeRWxMopz-
 
“King Of My Heart” 
C-Sharp Major (G, capo 6), Miki
Songwriters: John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan
 
“Goodness of God”
G Major, Angelica
Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Edward Martin Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson
EXAMPLE TRACK (in A-Flat Major): https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo?si=DipjHsev1JEYAbom
 
MAY 5, 2024
 
“Glorious Day” 
G Major (when Miki starts), D Major (when John starts)  
Songwriters: Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran
PRACTICE TRACK (in D Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azHlxyY8TIY
 
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” 
C Major 
Songwriters: Helen H. Lemmel 
EXAMPLE TRACK WITH VOICE in C MAJOR: https://youtu.be/q5x0MclH3l0?si=rdbRI0JBvId_C2Bz
MUSIC with GUITAR TAB: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rZYJtATJQ7-23WLy5xA8KBDBPOg4ZN1Y/view?usp=drive_link
 
“Do It Again” 
G Major
Songwriters: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Matt Redman
 
“I Give It All To You” 
G Major
Songwriters: Angelica Lopez, John Nichols III
PRACTICE TRACK HERE:
 
MAY 12, 2024
 
“Your Love Awakens Me” 
B Major 
Songwriters: Phil Wickham, Chris Quilala
 
MAY 19, 2024
 
“This is Amazing Grace” 
G Major
BPM: 127
Songwriters: Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle
PRACTICE TRACK in G MAJOR (slow) https://youtu.be/aKCepWRQUC4?si=MzIRDY3ocVQtgh22
 
 
MAY 26, 2024
 
“Freedom” 
G Major (or C Major)
Songwriters: Hank Bentley, Brett Steven Younker, Jordan Lawrence Frye, Mia Leanne Cherie Fieldes, Kristian Paul Stanfill
 
 
SONG INDEX
 
“Always” 
B Major (G capo 4) or No Capo (G) 
Songwriters: Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill
 
“Amazing Grace” 
D Major
Songwriters: John Newton 
MELODY GUITAR TAB: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G5Gt7z93zZt9TLiKi__34AxMw46LUawr/view?usp=drive_link
ANOTHER PRACTICE TRACK WITH VOICES (in E-Flat Major): https://youtu.be/CDdvReNKKuk
 
“Battle Belongs”
— Major
Songwriters: Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
EXAMPLE TRACK (in D-Flat Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtvQNzPHn-w
INSTRUMETNAL PRACTICE TRACK: 
 
“Break Every Chain”
A Major 
Songwriters: Will Reagan
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb6HsG1xlIU
 
“Coat of Many Colors” 
D Major 
Songwriters: Jonathan Smith, Leeland Mooring, Steven Furtick, Andy Cherry, Brandon Lake, Jacob Boyles
EXAMPLE TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2c7qBAKUM0
 
“Do It Again” 
G Major
Songwriters: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Matt Redman
 
“Evidence”
G Major
Songwriters: Ed Cash, Ethan Hulse, Josh  Baldwin
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in G Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBkh6cYgfE
 
“Fire” 
E Major
Songwriters: Cece Winans, Kyle Wayne Lee, Dwan Hill
 
“Freedom” 
G Major (or C Major)
Songwriters: Hank Bentley, Brett Steven Younker, Jordan Lawrence Frye, Mia Leanne Cherie Fieldes, Kristian Paul Stanfill
 
“Firm Foundation” 
A major (when John starts), D-flat Major (when Miki starts)
Songwriters: Austin Davis, Chandler Moore, Cody Carnes
 
“Glorious Day” 
G Major (when Miki starts), D Major (when John starts)  
Songwriters: Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran
PRACTICE TRACK (in D Major): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azHlxyY8TIY
 
“Gratitude”
G Major
Songwriters: Benjamin Hastings, Brandon Lake, Dante Bowe
 
“Graves Into Gardens”  
A Major
Songwriters: Christopher Joel Brown, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Tiffany Hammer
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in A major): https://youtu.be/UWjKRNu7WMc?si=O56WJ-XeRWxMopz-
 
“Good Good Father”
G Major
Songwriters: Tony Brown, Pat Barrett
 
“Goodness of God”
G Major  
Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Edward Martin Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson
EXAMPLE TRACK (in A-Flat Major): https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo?si=DipjHsev1JEYAbom
 
“Great Are You Lord” 
A Major
BPM: 79
Songwriters: Jason Ingram, David Leonard, Leslie Jordan
 
“Heart of Worship”
C Major
Songwriters: Matthew James Redman
 
“Holy and Anointed One”
D Major
Songwriters: John Barnett
 
“Holy Forever”
F Major 
Songwriters: Jenn Johnson, Brian Johnson, Mark Ingram, Phil Wickham and Chris Tomlin
PRACTICE INSTRUMENTAL (in F Major): https://youtu.be/mWaVhLbqSss?si=j-2DzPDUr1yopmLg
 
“Holy Spirit”
D Major 
BPM: 72
Songwriters: Katie Torwalt, Bryan Torwalt
 
“Holy Water”
D Major
Songwriters: Andrew Bergthold, Franni Cash, Scott Mctyeire Cash, Edward Martin Cash, Edmond Martin Jr Cash
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMaOM82HpFo
 
“How Great Is Our God” 
G Major
Songwriters: Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves
 
“House Of The Lord”
E Major (John), G Major, or B-flat (capo 3)
BPM: 111
Songwriters: Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith 
LT: Y
 
“I Give It All To You” 
G Major
Songwriters: Angelica Lopez, John Nichols III
PRACTICE TRACK HERE:
 
“I Love Your Presence” 
B-flat Major
Songwriters: Darren Clarke, Jessie Clarke
 
“I Speak Jesus”
E Major 
BPM: 83 
Songwriters: Jesse Reeves, Dustin Smith, Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Raina Pratt
LT: N
 
“I Thank God” 
D Major
Songwriters: Chuck Butler, Aaron Moses, Dante Bowe, Maryanne J.George, and Jesse Cline
 
“I Thank You Lord” 
D Major
Songwriters: Angelica Lopez (with JN) 
Rehearsal. 
 
“Just Be”
G Major
Somgwriters: Kim Walker-Smith
 
“Just Be Held” 
F Major 
Songwriters: Mark Hall, Mathew West Bernie Hearms 
 
“King Of My Heart” 
C-Sharp Major (G, capo 6) 
Songwriters: John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan
 
“My Jesus” 
G-Flat Major 
Songwriters: Anne Claire Wilson, Jeffrey Thomas Pardo, Matthew Joseph West
 
“No Longer Slaves” 
B-flat major
Songwriters: Jonathan David Helser, Brian Mark Johnson, Joel D Case
PRACTICE TRACK IN B-FLAT MAJOR: https://youtu.be/Or2E4VqnnXg?si=usdD2-47PAs7LbIC
VOCAL TUTORIAL in B-flat Major: https://youtu.be/PMVR8PMIxwE?si=PBWnEb-ZgxCQW3Pi
 
“Oceans From the Rain” 
B Major (G capo 4) 
Songwriters: Joseph Rojas
 
“Oceans (Where My Feet May Fail)” 
D Major 
Songwriters: Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Salomon Lighthelm
 
“Oh Come to the Altar”
G Major or B Major
BPM: 70
Songwriters: Wade Joye, Christopher Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick
 
“Quiet Place” 
B-flat Major
BPM: 80, 84
Songwriters: Lora Henning, John Nichols III
LT: N
 
“Raise a Hallelujah”
C Major 
Songwriters: Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser, Jake Stevens, Molly Kate Skaggs
 
“Reckless Love”
B Major (G capo 4)
Songwriters: Ran Jackson, Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver
PRACTICE TRACK in B MAJOR with BACKING VOCAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnWSc3_o2QE
 
“Rest on Us”
D Major
Songwriters: Antoine Brown, Brandon Lake, Elyssa Smith, Harvest Parker, Jonathan Jay, Rebekah Erin White
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in D major): https://youtu.be/mKcvgYZf7PE?si=9c7CPUGerH9SZKdQ
 
“Same God” 
F Major
Songwriters: Patrick Barrett, Christopher Joel Brown, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake
EXAMPLE TRACK in D-Flat Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LawxIZE9ePE
 
“(Surrounded) This Is How I Fight my Battles” 
A major 
Songwriters: Elyssa Marie Smith
 
“This is Amazing Grace” 
G Major
BPM: 127
Songwriters: Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle
PRACTICE TRACK in G MAJOR (slow) https://youtu.be/aKCepWRQUC4?si=MzIRDY3ocVQtgh22
 
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” 
C Major 
Songwriters: Helen H. Lemmel 
EXAMPLE TRACK WITH VOICE in C MAJOR: https://youtu.be/q5x0MclH3l0?si=rdbRI0JBvId_C2Bz
MUSIC with GUITAR TAB: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rZYJtATJQ7-23WLy5xA8KBDBPOg4ZN1Y/view?usp=drive_link
 
“Waymaker”
C Major
Songwriters: Osinachi Okoro
 
“What a Beautiful Name”
D major
Songwriters: Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood
 
“Where You Are” 
C Major
Songwriters: Leeland Mooring
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in C Major): https://youtu.be/4U9vu2lksIw?si=83Ayq45sC0QWqiYm
 
“Who You Say I Am”
G Major
Songwriters: Reuben Timothy Morgan, Benjamin David Fielding
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in G Major): https://youtu.be/WaNk_fciFVQ?si=3qgBLn4sqC0vhd5G
 
“Worthy Of It All” 
A Major
BPM: 77
Songwriters: David Brymer, Ryan Hall
INSTRUMENTAL PRACTICE TRACK (in A Major): https://youtu.be/uw4kkMSJXKw?si=lNNe2rL5hstEEpU0
LT: Y
 
 
“You Are My King (Amazing Love)” 
B Major
Songwriters: Billy James Foote
Shift Key in Rehearsal. Seek Instrumental Track in B Major
 
“Your Love Awakens Me” 
B Major 
Songwriters: Phil Wickham, Chris Quilala
 
MEDLEYS
 
I Speak Jesus/Worthy Of It All 
Holy And Anointed One/Waymaker