CM: Dr. Siow KW
WL: Kai Yew
BU: Jason Lai, Siew Pin, Lareina
P: Lydia Sim
G: Chew Weng Ern
D: Darren Oi
LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang
PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.
-
13 SEPTEMBER 2009
CM: Barnabas P.
WL: Shankar R.
BU: Kenneth Lai, Shankar R., Foong Yee
P: Jason Lai
S: Christopher Lai
G: Chew Weng Ern
D: Kai Yew
LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang
PA: Manjit Singh,Hiew FF
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Informal Meeting
For worship leaders
To meet during lunch
After Family Prayer (6 Sept 2009)
At the Children's Room (basement)
To meet during lunch
After Family Prayer (6 Sept 2009)
At the Children's Room (basement)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Song Story: I Want To Be Where You Are
From Don
05.04.09
I was sitting alone in a church trying to write the first song of a musical (which turned out to be God With Us) that would be a big and powerful choral anthem inviting people into God’s presence. What came out of my mouth really surprised me because it was so gentle. I put it aside thinking, “This is not the big choral anthem I was looking for;” however, I couldn’t get the medley out of my head.
I tried it out for the first time unfinished in a little church in Oklahoma. I had my legal pad at the piano and because I didn’t have the rhymes yet I just sang the four thoughts I had sketched for a bridge (I want to be where you are, dwelling in your presence, feasting at your table, surrounded by your glory) and decided I’d figure out the rhymes later. But the song so impacted the people that I never changed it.
This song was unique because I felt the Lord had let me capture, in music, a prayer and a cry on hundreds and thousands of people’s hearts, people want to be in God’s presence (Psalm 27:4).
WFA Worship Leaders' Meeting
there will be a short meeting for all Worship Leaders together with Bro. Sim..
6 September 2009
after WFA Family Prayer
kindly avail yourself for this very important meeting..
thank you
6 September 2009
after WFA Family Prayer
kindly avail yourself for this very important meeting..
thank you
Sunday, August 23, 2009
30 AUGUST 2009
30 Aug 09
Barnabas P.
Terry C.
Siew Pin, Joycelyn C., Richard
Grace Lee, Jocelyn Lee
Darren
Jaemy C.
Colleen, Ken Fhui
Tom C., Tommy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Song Story: I Will Sing
From Don
05.05.09
I wrote the title song for I Will Sing in my car and my first reaction was, “I don’t know where that came from, but I’ll never put it on a Hosanna! Music album!"
I had spent the day at one of Alabama’s gulf coast beaches, about an hour south of Integrity’s studios in Mobile, hoping to write songs for the upcoming album.
I didn't feel anything the entire day. It was one of those times when you wonder where God is. I was driving back home, feeling frustrated, and I said, “Lord, You seem so far away, a million miles or more it feels today.” It just popped out. Then I got another line: “And though I haven’t lost my faith, I must confess right now that it’s hard for me to pray.” The words kept coming, and I wrote the entire song right there in my car, but I didn’t like it. I thought, “What a waste! I need songs for the album; I don’t need this!”
I promptly filed the song away, thinking I’d never use it. Not long after, Integrity’s staff was stunned by the news that the ten-year-old daughter of David C. Reilly, a graphic artist who has designed album covers for Integrity Music for more than a decade, was killed in a car accident.
I remembered the song I had scribbled on a paper, so I recorded it on a CD and sent it to David with a note: “I know you’re going to have days when you feel like, 'Where in the world is God?' but I want to encourage you to sing. Don’t give up.”
The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But look at Psalm 109. How could David, the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, 'I will bless the Lord at all times,' write these angry words? Because he was honest before the Lord, and that’s what God wants in our worship, too. He knows already, so I want to work on being honest, transparent with the Father, who delights in our hearts.
- Don
05.05.09
I wrote the title song for I Will Sing in my car and my first reaction was, “I don’t know where that came from, but I’ll never put it on a Hosanna! Music album!"
I had spent the day at one of Alabama’s gulf coast beaches, about an hour south of Integrity’s studios in Mobile, hoping to write songs for the upcoming album.
I didn't feel anything the entire day. It was one of those times when you wonder where God is. I was driving back home, feeling frustrated, and I said, “Lord, You seem so far away, a million miles or more it feels today.” It just popped out. Then I got another line: “And though I haven’t lost my faith, I must confess right now that it’s hard for me to pray.” The words kept coming, and I wrote the entire song right there in my car, but I didn’t like it. I thought, “What a waste! I need songs for the album; I don’t need this!”
I promptly filed the song away, thinking I’d never use it. Not long after, Integrity’s staff was stunned by the news that the ten-year-old daughter of David C. Reilly, a graphic artist who has designed album covers for Integrity Music for more than a decade, was killed in a car accident.
I remembered the song I had scribbled on a paper, so I recorded it on a CD and sent it to David with a note: “I know you’re going to have days when you feel like, 'Where in the world is God?' but I want to encourage you to sing. Don’t give up.”
The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But look at Psalm 109. How could David, the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, 'I will bless the Lord at all times,' write these angry words? Because he was honest before the Lord, and that’s what God wants in our worship, too. He knows already, so I want to work on being honest, transparent with the Father, who delights in our hearts.
- Don
Sunday, August 16, 2009
23 AUGUST 2009
23 Aug 09
Dr. Siow KW
Foong Yee
Hong Lu, Ken Fhui, Siew Pin
Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
Terry/Weng Ern
Nicholas
Jocelyn Lee, Timothy C.
Tommy, Manjit
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF!!
a familiar gripe?
from the pianist.. to they keyboardist.. to the guitarists.. to the back ups..
sometimes even the Worship Leader loves this quote..
-
why does it happen?
position of instruments vs position of speakers vs condition of speakers & wires vs position of congregation..
it's a whole melange of reasons, factors, obstacles..
enough to make the PA Section cry..
-
sometimes it is because you are being drowned out by everyone else turning up their volume..
and so you turn up your volume..
and they play louder and sing harder..
and so do you..
and then the roof caves in...
-
how do we come to a compromise?
firstly, ask yourself: what is the role of the music & worship team (including singers, PA & LCD)
>> it is to create a conducive environment for the congregation to worship God.. to be examples to the congregation on how worship should be..
secondly, ask yourself what is your role in the team?
>> to sing - lead accurately/support the leader & to provide the melody.. to accompany with the harmony and fill in the gaps.. to provide the beat/timing/speed..
>> to gel the contributions of the singers/musicians together at appropriate volumes..
>> to assist the congregation to sing the correct words and express their adoration for God..
thirdly, be aware of what you are playing as compared to what other teammates are playing..
>> if the piano is played like the bass or drum, the team will sound like it has 2 drums or 2 bass guitars.. keep it simple, accurate and appropriate.. it is much better than complicated, inaccurate and distracting..
-
what can i do as an individual musician?
>> practice the songs on your own until you are confident.. so that during the times you play in a team, you can be certain that you are playing accurately..
>> listen to Worship CDs that mimic the style & tone & needs of the congregation.. if the congregation grew up listening to Integrity Music (Don Moen/ Ron Kenoly's piano & strings driven music).. they might not appreciate Hillsongs Youth/ DC Talk (overdriven guitar & drums).. although there is a time and place to learn to appreciate, it is definitely not in the middle of a Sunday Worship Service..
-
what can we do as a team?
>> the worship leader is responsible to lead the team.. to decide (where appropriate) which instrument takes centerstage.. the tone and build up/slow down of the songs and worship service..
>> listen, listen, listen.. to other instrument players... everyone has a style of playing/singing.. try to compliment it, rather than change the style by yourself..
>> be sensitive to the congregation.. the reaction of the congregation can tell a lot about the appropriateness of the song's volume/speed.. pained expressions and silent bystanders are very obvious red flags..
>> worship leaders are encouraged to sing the main melody.. leave the countermelody to the back-up singers.. if you can not hit the high note at the end of a climatic song, don't.. it is not very nice to end a good song with an off key screech..
-
when all's said & done:
from the pianist.. to they keyboardist.. to the guitarists.. to the back ups..
sometimes even the Worship Leader loves this quote..
-
why does it happen?
position of instruments vs position of speakers vs condition of speakers & wires vs position of congregation..
it's a whole melange of reasons, factors, obstacles..
enough to make the PA Section cry..
-
sometimes it is because you are being drowned out by everyone else turning up their volume..
and so you turn up your volume..
and they play louder and sing harder..
and so do you..
and then the roof caves in...
-
how do we come to a compromise?
firstly, ask yourself: what is the role of the music & worship team (including singers, PA & LCD)
>> it is to create a conducive environment for the congregation to worship God.. to be examples to the congregation on how worship should be..
secondly, ask yourself what is your role in the team?
>> to sing - lead accurately/support the leader & to provide the melody.. to accompany with the harmony and fill in the gaps.. to provide the beat/timing/speed..
>> to gel the contributions of the singers/musicians together at appropriate volumes..
>> to assist the congregation to sing the correct words and express their adoration for God..
thirdly, be aware of what you are playing as compared to what other teammates are playing..
>> if the piano is played like the bass or drum, the team will sound like it has 2 drums or 2 bass guitars.. keep it simple, accurate and appropriate.. it is much better than complicated, inaccurate and distracting..
-
what can i do as an individual musician?
>> practice the songs on your own until you are confident.. so that during the times you play in a team, you can be certain that you are playing accurately..
>> listen to Worship CDs that mimic the style & tone & needs of the congregation.. if the congregation grew up listening to Integrity Music (Don Moen/ Ron Kenoly's piano & strings driven music).. they might not appreciate Hillsongs Youth/ DC Talk (overdriven guitar & drums).. although there is a time and place to learn to appreciate, it is definitely not in the middle of a Sunday Worship Service..
-
what can we do as a team?
>> the worship leader is responsible to lead the team.. to decide (where appropriate) which instrument takes centerstage.. the tone and build up/slow down of the songs and worship service..
>> listen, listen, listen.. to other instrument players... everyone has a style of playing/singing.. try to compliment it, rather than change the style by yourself..
>> be sensitive to the congregation.. the reaction of the congregation can tell a lot about the appropriateness of the song's volume/speed.. pained expressions and silent bystanders are very obvious red flags..
>> worship leaders are encouraged to sing the main melody.. leave the countermelody to the back-up singers.. if you can not hit the high note at the end of a climatic song, don't.. it is not very nice to end a good song with an off key screech..
-
when all's said & done:
- be prepared at home/by yourself: know the song through & through before introducing it..
- play your role/part in the team..
- complement the team.. not contradict it..
- come prepared for practice..
- during practice & worship service: watch, listen & be sensitive..
Monday, August 10, 2009
Song Stories: Thank You Lord
From Don
05.19.09
I was sitting at my church in the balcony, looking at the congregation, and wishing I had a simple song of thanks that people can sing. Praise and worship songs can get very complicated. The congregation really wants to worship, but sometimes as leaders we make it difficult musically and lyrically for them to do that.
That Sunday in my own church, I asked the Lord to give me a song that causes people to give thanks to Him easily, that puts thanksgiving on their lips. The result was "Thank You Lord."
Thanksgiving is the first step to come into His presence: Psalm 100:4 NIV "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Simply saying "Thank You Lord" is one of the most powerful concepts in worship. To say thank You "for all You've given to me, for all the blessings that I cannot see" is powerful because we're remembering what He's done in the past and thanking Him for all He's going to do in the future. I pray those words in every concert. If you can say "Thank You" for something you haven't seen yet--a job, a car, a healing--that is powerful.
- Don
05.19.09
I was sitting at my church in the balcony, looking at the congregation, and wishing I had a simple song of thanks that people can sing. Praise and worship songs can get very complicated. The congregation really wants to worship, but sometimes as leaders we make it difficult musically and lyrically for them to do that.
That Sunday in my own church, I asked the Lord to give me a song that causes people to give thanks to Him easily, that puts thanksgiving on their lips. The result was "Thank You Lord."
Thanksgiving is the first step to come into His presence: Psalm 100:4 NIV "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Simply saying "Thank You Lord" is one of the most powerful concepts in worship. To say thank You "for all You've given to me, for all the blessings that I cannot see" is powerful because we're remembering what He's done in the past and thanking Him for all He's going to do in the future. I pray those words in every concert. If you can say "Thank You" for something you haven't seen yet--a job, a car, a healing--that is powerful.
- Don
Sunday, August 9, 2009
16 AUGUST 2009
16 Aug 09
Liong KC
Kai Yew
Colleen, Lareina, Richard
Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
Anna Sim
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Manjit, Hiew FF
Liong KC
Kai Yew
Colleen, Lareina, Richard
Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
Anna Sim
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Manjit, Hiew FF
Monday, August 3, 2009
I Will Sing Devotional
From Don
05.08.09
Lyric Excerpt for “I Will Sing”
I will sing, I will praise.. Even in my darkest hour.. Through the sorrow and the pain.. I will sing, I will praise.. Lift my hands to honor You.. Because Your Word is true.. I will sing..
Scripture reference: Psalm 145:17-18
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, To all who call on him in truth.”(NIV)
When you’re privileged to do what I do, to travel around the country and minister to others through worship, you see a lot of church signs. And depending on what neck of the woods you’re in, some signs just don’t make a lot of sense. Like the one I saw out in front of a beautiful white clapboard chapel on a state highway in Louisiana. It said, “Today’s Sermon: the Word of God.” Trouble was, besides the obvious fact that all sermons should be based on the Bible, I passed that sign on a Thursday. That sermon was long finished.
Another sign I saw recently really confused me. It read: “Pot Luck Revival, Sunday-Wednesday.” I’m still not sure it that church was having a revival or a four-day buffet.
But one church sign seems to be cropping up more than others these days: “Sinners welcome here.” And every time I see one, I think: “Thank the Lord for just telling it like it is.”
The only difference between the sinners inside churches and the sinners outside churches is the amazing grace and forgiveness of God. The saints really are sinners who still fall down, but by the outstretched arm of a merciful God, we get up again. And again.
Trouble is, too many Christians think that they have to be worthy to worship the Lord. Many walk through the workweek feeling that God is far away. They don’t try to pray because they’re not convinced He’s listening. And besides, the anger and fear and doubt that consumes their thoughts isn’t really the stuff you’re supposed to tell God about, right?
Few things are further from the truth. Psalm 145: 18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” You can—in fact God wants you to—tell Him what you really think. To be honest about what’s going on in your life and in your heart. He already knows what’s going on anyway, but He longs for you to tell Him all the same.
The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in some Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But just look at Psalm 109 where David – the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times’ – tells God all about his fear and doubt, in no uncertain terms. Why is he so bold? Because he couldn’t be anything but honest before the Lord. That’s what God wants in our worship—our spirit and our truth.
The truth really does set us free. Free to worship with our whole hearts. Don’t be afraid. Be bold and tell God the truth about something you’ve been holding back. Release that sin or bitterness or anger by confessing it, and let the truth set you free.
- Don
05.08.09
Lyric Excerpt for “I Will Sing”
I will sing, I will praise.. Even in my darkest hour.. Through the sorrow and the pain.. I will sing, I will praise.. Lift my hands to honor You.. Because Your Word is true.. I will sing..
Scripture reference: Psalm 145:17-18
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, To all who call on him in truth.”(NIV)
When you’re privileged to do what I do, to travel around the country and minister to others through worship, you see a lot of church signs. And depending on what neck of the woods you’re in, some signs just don’t make a lot of sense. Like the one I saw out in front of a beautiful white clapboard chapel on a state highway in Louisiana. It said, “Today’s Sermon: the Word of God.” Trouble was, besides the obvious fact that all sermons should be based on the Bible, I passed that sign on a Thursday. That sermon was long finished.
Another sign I saw recently really confused me. It read: “Pot Luck Revival, Sunday-Wednesday.” I’m still not sure it that church was having a revival or a four-day buffet.
But one church sign seems to be cropping up more than others these days: “Sinners welcome here.” And every time I see one, I think: “Thank the Lord for just telling it like it is.”
The only difference between the sinners inside churches and the sinners outside churches is the amazing grace and forgiveness of God. The saints really are sinners who still fall down, but by the outstretched arm of a merciful God, we get up again. And again.
Trouble is, too many Christians think that they have to be worthy to worship the Lord. Many walk through the workweek feeling that God is far away. They don’t try to pray because they’re not convinced He’s listening. And besides, the anger and fear and doubt that consumes their thoughts isn’t really the stuff you’re supposed to tell God about, right?
Few things are further from the truth. Psalm 145: 18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” You can—in fact God wants you to—tell Him what you really think. To be honest about what’s going on in your life and in your heart. He already knows what’s going on anyway, but He longs for you to tell Him all the same.
The reality is that everyone goes through days when we feel God is far away. There’s a phoniness in some Christian circles that says you don’t admit that. But just look at Psalm 109 where David – the sweet psalmist of Israel who said, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times’ – tells God all about his fear and doubt, in no uncertain terms. Why is he so bold? Because he couldn’t be anything but honest before the Lord. That’s what God wants in our worship—our spirit and our truth.
The truth really does set us free. Free to worship with our whole hearts. Don’t be afraid. Be bold and tell God the truth about something you’ve been holding back. Release that sin or bitterness or anger by confessing it, and let the truth set you free.
- Don
Sunday, August 2, 2009
9 AUGUST 2009
9 Aug 09
Tom C.
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Siew Pin
Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
Ken Fhui
Darren
Ken Fhui, Colleen
Hiew FF, Manjit
Tom C.
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Siew Pin
Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
Ken Fhui
Darren
Ken Fhui, Colleen
Hiew FF, Manjit
Saturday, August 1, 2009
We Shall Meet on that Beautiful Shore
The mother of our beloved Elder, Lim Swee Boon has gone to be with the Lord today.
Official memorial: Sunday, 2 August @ 8pm
Funeral: Monday, 3 August @ 10am
.
Official memorial: Sunday, 2 August @ 8pm
Funeral: Monday, 3 August @ 10am
.
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