2 Jan 2011

Caleb R.

Terry C
Shankar R., Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Meng Fhui, Jocelyn Lee
Ken Fhui, Weng Ern
Jaemy C .

Moses Tan

Hiew, Tommy Q.

12th day of Christmas: Go tell it on the mountain

Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere,

Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.

When I was a seeker I sought both night and day,

I asked the Lord to help me, And he showed me the way.

He made me a watchman Upon a city wall,

And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all.

The words and lyrics of the spiritual Christmas Carol 'Go tell it to the Mountain 'are by John W. Work, Jr. (1872-1925). John Work was famous for Folk Songs of the American Negro in Nashville, Tennessee in 1907. He graduated from Fisk University in 1898 and became a teacher. He died on September 7th 1925 in Nashville, the same town he was born in.

Our grateful thanks goes to Eric Halstead for giving his kind permission to play his self sequenced midi file of this superb piano rendition of this Christmas Carol.

11th day of Christmas: The First Noel

The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far

And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star Three Wise men came from country far

To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest O'er Bethlehem it took its rest

And there it did both Pause and stay Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those Wise men three Full reverently upon their knee

And offered there in His presence Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought And with his blood mankind has bought.

The First Noel is unknown in origin but is generally thought to be English dating back to the sixteenth century. There is a misconception that the First Noel was French and it is believed that this is because of the French spelling of Noel as opposed to the olde English Anglo-Saxon spelling of the word as in Nowell. After England was captured by the Normans numerous words were adopted from the Norman French language and Noel was re-spelt as Nowell, early printed versions of this carol use the Nowell spelling. The First Noel was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys.

10th day of Christmas: O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law, In cloud, and majesty and awe.

The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. It is , however believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.

9th day of Christmas: Angels from the realms of glory

Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Come and worship, Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light;

Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star;

Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

The author of Angels From the Realms of Glory was an Irishman called James Montgomery. He came from a religious family background and sadly his parents, who were missionaries died following their vocation. Angels From the Realms of Glory was written in 1816. The music for Angels From the Realms of Glory was composed by Henry Smart. The lyrics of Angels From the Realms of Glory tell the story of the shepherds, sages and Saints.

8th day of Christmas: Away in a manger

Away in a manger, No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus Look down from the sky
And stay by my side, 'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven To live with Thee there



Away in a manager is always the first carol that children are taught. Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885. The publication of Away in a Manger was in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to Away in a Manger was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895.

7th day of Christmas: Hark the herald angels sing

Hark the herald angels sing " Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth




“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.

6th day of Christmas: It came upon the midnight clear

It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.



It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849. The carol started life as a poem written by its author who was a minister living in Massachusetts at the time. The music for It Came Upon A Midnight Clear was composed by American musician Richard Storrs Willis in 1859 who was inspired by the words of the poem.

24 OR 25 Dec 2010 (Christmas Service)

Barnabas P.

Shankar R.
Jocelyn C., Colleen, Peggy Tan

Lydia Sim, Meng Fhui
Darren, Terry C.
Anna Sim

Terry Chong

Hiew FF, Manjit Singh

5th day of Christmas: Silent night, holy night

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "



The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!

4th day of Christmas: O little town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming, But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel



Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903) of Philadelphia, wrote the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1868, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the hills of Palestine especially at night time hence the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem. His church organist Lewis Redner (1831-1908) wrote the melody to O Little Town of Bethlehem for the Sunday school children's choir

3rd day of Christmas: O Holy Night!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.

He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).

2nd day of Christmas: O Come All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;



The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics "Adeste Fideles"

1st day of Christmas: Joy to the World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.



The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Joy to the World is a popular Christmas carol which is based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Non­conformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. He wrote many hymns and Carols and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the the University of Edinburgh in 1728. The music to the carol is by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)

19 Dec 2010

Dr. Siow KW

Peggy Tan
Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Terry C., Weng Ern
Darren

Meng Fhui

Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

12 Dec 2010

Liong KC

Kai Yew
Gigi Lim, Lydia Sim, Colleen

Meng Fhui, Jonathan Long
Anna Sim, Darren
Ken Fhui

Jocelyn Lee

Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

5 Dec 2010

Caleb R.

Peter Long
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Peggy Tan

Jonathan Long, Meng Fhui
Terry C., Weng Ern
Darren

Moses Tan

Hiew, Tommy Q.

28 Nov 2010

Barnabas P.

Terry C.
Colleen, Jocelyn C., Shankar

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Prisca
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan

Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

21 Nov 2010

Chairman: Dr. Siow KW

Worship Leader: Foong Yee
Vocalist: Lareina, Peggy Tan, Hong Lu

Keyboardist: Meng Fhui, Jonathan Long
Guitarist: Terry C., Weng Ern
Drummer: Anna Sim

Projectionist: Tian Sia

PA: Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

14 Nov 2010

Chairman: Tom C.

Worship Leader: Kai Yew
Vocalist: Jocelyn C., Siew Pin, Gigi Lim

Keyboardist: Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Guitarist: Anna Sim, Prisca
Drummer: Darren

Projectionist: Terry C.

PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

Worship Roster 24-Oct 2010 to 9-Jan 2011

Worship Roster (PDF file)

7 Nov 2010 (to be confirmed)

WFA 25th Anniversary Celebration Service @ Min Kok

Chairman: Caleb R.

Worship Leader: Peggy Tan
Vocalists: Colleen, Foong Yee, Hong Lu

Keyboardist: Prisca, Meng Fhui
Guitarist: Terry C., Weng Ern
Drummer: Ken Fhui

Projectionist: Moses Tan

PA: Hiew FF, Tommy .Q

31 Oct 2010

Chairman: Barnabas P.

Worship Leader: Prisca
Vocalist: Siew Pin, Jocelyn C, Lareina

Keyboardist: Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Darren , Ken Fhui
Drummer: Jaemy C.

Projectionist: Meng Fhui

PA: Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

24 Oct 2010

Dr. Siow KW

Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Colleen

Meng Fhui, Jacinta Lee
Anna Sim
Weng Ern, Khen Fhui

Moses Tan

Manjit Singh, Hiew FF.

17-Oct-10

Liong KC

Foong Yee
Jocelyn Choong, Hong Lu, Peggy Tan

Prisca, Jonathan L
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Ken Fhui

Meng Fhui
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

10-Oct-10

Caleb R.

Terry C
Shankar R., Gigi Lim, Lareina

Meng Fhui, Lydia Sim
Ken Fhui, Terry C.
Darren

Moses Tan
Hiew, Tommy Q.

3-Oct-10

Barnabas P.

Peter Long
Lydia Sim, Peggy Tan, Colleen

Jonathan L, Meng Fhui
Darren, Weng Ern
Anna Sim

Terry Chong
Hiew FF, Manjit Singh

26-Sep-10

Dr. Siow KW

Kai Yew
Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Darren, Ken Fhui
Jaemy C.

Meng Fhui
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

19-Sep-10

Liong KC

Peggy Tan
Gigi Lim, Lydia Sim, Colleen

Grace Lee, Meng Fhui
Anna Sim, Prisca
Ken Fhui

Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

12-Sep-10

Caleb R.

Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Peggy Tan

Prisca, Jonathan L
Terry C., Weng Ern
Darren

Moses Tan
Hiew, Tommy Q.

5-Sep-10

Barnabas P.

Terry C.
Colleen, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Anna Sim
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

29-Aug-10

Dr. Siow KW

Kai Yew
Lareina, Peggy Tan, Shankar R

Meng Fhui, Jonathan L
Terry C., Weng Ern
Anna Sim

Ken Fhui
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

22-Aug-10

Tom C.

Foong Yee
Jocelyn C., Siew Pin, Gigi Lim

Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Anna Sim, Prisca
Darren

Terry C.
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

15-Aug-10

Caleb R.

Peggy Tan
Colleen, Foong Yee, Hong Lu

Prisca, Meng Fhui
Terry C., Weng Ern
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy .Q

8-Aug-10

Barnabas P.

Prisca
Siew Pin, Jocelyn C, Lareina

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Ken Fhui
Kai Yew

Meng Fhui
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

1-Aug-10

Dr. Siow KW

Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Colleen

Meng Fhui, Jacinta Lee
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF.

25-Jul-10

Liong KC

Foong Yee
Colleen, Hong Lu, Prisca

Lydia Sim, Jonathan L
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Darren

Tian Sia
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

18-Jul-10

Chairperson: Caleb R.

Worship Leader: Terry C Peter Long 
Backup Singers: Shankar R., Lydia Sim, Lareina

Pianist: Meng Fhui Jonathan Long
Keyboardist: Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Ken Fhui
Bass Guitarist: Darren
Drummer: Jaemy C .

Projectinist: Moses Tan Terry
PA Personnel: Hiew, Tommy Q.

11-Jul-10

Chairperson: Barnabas P.

Worship Leader: Peter Long Terry Choong
Backup Singers: Jacquelina, Colleen, Peggy Tan

Pianist: Jonathan Long Jun Fhui
Keyboardist: Meng Fhui
Guitarists: Weng Ern
Bass Guitarist: Johnathan C
Drummer: Anna Sim

Projectionist: Terry Choong Moses Tan
PA Personnel: Hiew FF, Manjit Singh

4-Jul-10

Siow KW

Kai Yew
Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Prisca, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Terry C.
Khen Fhui

Meng Fhui
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

27-Jun-10

Liong KC

Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Lareina, Colleen

Grace Lee, Meng Fhui
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Prisca

Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

20-Jun-10

Caleb R.

Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Peggy Tan

Lydia Sim, Jonathan L
Terry C., Ken Fhui
Darren

Moses Tan
Hiew, Tommy Q.

13-Jun-10

Barnabas P.

Terry C.
Colleen, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Prisca, Jocelyn Lee
Weng Ern, Johnathan C
Anna Sim

Moses Tan
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

6-Jun-10

Siow KW

Kai Yew
Lareina, Peggy Tan, Shankar R

Meng Fhui, Jonathan L
Darren, Ken Fhui
Jaemy C

Tian Sia
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

30-May-10

Tom C.

Foong Yee
Tian Sia, Siew Pin, Meng Fhui

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Darren

Ken Fhui
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

23-May-10

Caleb R.

Peggy Tan
Colleen, Lydia Sim, Hong Lu

Prisca, Meng Fhui
Johnathan C, Anna Sim
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy .Q

Blow the Trumpet!

A Call for Repentance and Prayer - Joel 2
Global Day of Prayer, 23 May 2010
10 Days to go, 216 Countries

Dear Friends

With the start of the 10 Days of day and night prayer we trust that all will have a wonderfully blessed time during this time of extraordinary prayer. We pray that during this time many new relationships will be forged and our communities, cities and nations will be changed forever; new life will come from the new relationships; pastors will pray together; neighbors will meet each other; Churches will work together and Christians will find ways to serve their communities in Christ's love.

Then on the Global Day of Prayer, Sunday, 23 May 2010, “may we see the earth covered with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea”.


DAY 1: THURSDAY 13 MAY 2010

REVIVE! …Our Father who is in heaven…

Father God, You are the creator and father of all nations.
You sustain us by the power of your word.

We acknowledge that You alone are worthy to receive all praise and honour and glory.
As Christians from around the world, we enter into your presence through the new and living way that Jesus Christ opened for us by his blood, to kneel at the throne of grace.

We pray that you will revive the Church again through your Holy Spirit.
Answer the prayer of Jesus that we, as Church, will unite and stand as one family before You.

We pray for those believers who have fallen away that You will draw them back to You and bring them to repentance.
You are faithful and true to your promises.

Please reveal to us your loving, compassionate and merciful father’s heart.
Help us to obey your commandments and to trust You completely for our salvation, our sanctification and our daily walk.

Touch the hearts of millions of believers around the world to persist in prayer until we see the fulfilment of all your promises.
Release fresh movements of prayer in every nation of the world so that this generation may accomplish the purposes You have for each one of us.

Here am I, Lord, send me.

Many blessings
The GDOP Team

“So, You Want to Be in the Band?”

by Don Potter

It has been my experience that there are usually a few people in a worship band who really shouldn’t be there. Yet I’ve also found out it’s hard to tell people “No” when they believe God is calling them to sing or play an instrument. They may not have any musical ability, but they love to worship God — isn’t that good enough?

Besides the Scripture that exhorts us to play skillfully before the Lord (see Psalm 33:3), there is another reason to set limits on who can participate on the worship band: Some people are actually endangering themselves by insisting they belong on stage. Of course, filling the band with greatly talented people who have no heart for God is probably even more dangerous. But that is not my focus here.



Called or Appointed?

Those who assume a position in the worship band without really being called by God could be setting themselves up for a fierce attack from the enemy. I have seen many such musicians fall under that attack, and at times even lose their families. Playing in the worship band is not just a fun thing to do on Sundays. It is a serious assault on the devil himself. Unless you are appointed by God for that position of battle, you may not have the grace to survive.

Seek God earnestly before accepting an invitation to be a part of the worship team! Even if it is a leader who asks you, don’t be impulsive — seek God first. You may even be called to be a singer or musician used for worship, yet be way ahead of God’s timing.

I was a professional musician for twenty-five years before I began to play in a worship band, and I was still about five years ahead of God. I unintentionally hurt a lot of people. Everyone thought it would be great to have a professional musician in the band, and I thought I was going to be a big help, too. Nevertheless, within three years the band had fallen apart and most of the musicians hated me. My talent was often confused with anointing and my character was not able to handle the position my talent put me in.

Eventually I learned that talent and gifting are very different. Talent is a natural ability to do something well if you work at it. Gifting is supernatural. It requires all your talent to be placed in God’s hands, for the benefit of His kingdom and not your own self-promotion.
In many churches playing in the worship band is the only job that seems to have no spiritual requirements tied to it.

Check Your Motives

Before you take the job of musician or singer in a worship band, you need to examine the motives of your heart. Here are some questions to ask yourself or others who are trying to get in the band:

* Do you think it would be fun to be on stage?
* Are you just trying to “help out” and meet a need?
* Are you trying to recapture your youth, when you used to sing or play an instrument?
* Are you just learning to play, and hoping to get some experience or free lessons?
* Do you feel you could worship God better from the stage than from the congregation?
* Are you unconsciously trying to gain a good reputation or impress people by playing in the band?
* Is your motivation to draw attention to yourself or to the Lord?

Although there are many more questions to ask yourself before entering the public worship arena, there really is only one that counts: Are you in the worship band or choir as an act of obedience to God? Everyone is called to praise God and sing to His Holy name, but not everyone is called to be in the worship band.

Everyone is called to intercede and to battle with the powers of darkness, but not everyone is called to take a Davidic position and war on his or her instrument.

Some motives sound spiritual, but are not. It may seem noble to focus on the congregation and what will make them happy, but if you do so you are worshipping them and not God. The call of a worship musician or singer is to minister to God, not the people. If the presence of God is our focus, He will come and bless the congregation a lot more than anything you can do!

This may sound harsh, but we are coming into a time when it will be extremely hazardous to play around with worship. A church would be better off with just one called and equipped musician, than a band full of people with good intentions but no calling.

In many churches playing in the worship band is the only job that seems to have no spiritual requirements tied to it. If the spiritual life of the pastor is in question, he’s a goner. If the elders are not in right standing with God, they will be removed. Yet, if a person owns a guitar, it’s no problem getting a job playing in the worship band.

Worship or Entertainment?

The most difficult thing to determine about one’s own heart is, Am I really concerned about reaching my Savior with this praise, or am I just trying to entertain these needy people? Once the idea of entertaining gets loose in the church, people can sometimes feel there is no anointing just because they are not pleased with the quality of the music. They’ve had a hard week at work and need a little relief from the pressures of life, so they look forward to the idea of sitting back and being entertained on Sunday.

This leads to watching worship instead of participating. I don’t think it is wrong to enjoy watching someone worship God. But if you as a singer or musician feel you have to live up to your own reputation as a great worshiper, you’ve just crossed a dangerous line—from worship to entertainment.

The body of Christ is in need of real Holy Spirit experiences, so we can tell the difference between anointing and entertainment. Those experiences will come more often when someone is called, gifted and anointed to be a leader or player in the worship band.

Chosen by God

Either you are chosen by God to have a position on the worship team or you are not. Even if you are chosen, you may have family obligations or other responsibilities that signal it is not yet God’s time for you to start.

If you have a heart for the musicians but don’t sense a call to be one, maybe your role should be intercession. Perhaps your interest is meant to stimulate prayer for them rather than a position on the stage for you.

If you feel you are supposed to be in the band but someone else has your place, go to God and ask Him to bring discernment and wisdom. It has been my experience that God will make a way for you to be there if it is truly His will. Be careful not to pray against that person, even if you believe they are being insensitive to what God is wanting to do. Be sure of this: The Lord wants the right people in the right places more than you do.

What if the Lord makes it clear that He has chosen someone else instead of you? The Bible is filled with examples of people with examples of people faced with this very situation: God chose Abel’s offering instead of Cain’s Isaac instead of Ishmael, Jacob instead of Esau, and Joseph instead of his brothers. Nothing is a greater test of our character. Either we will rise up in jealousy and jeopardize our own calling, or we will rejoice with our brother or sister over God’s choice and blessing.

Jonathan is a good example of someone who had the right response to God’s choice of someone else. Although it would have been easy to feel threatened by the prophecy that David would be the next king instead of him, Jonathan instead committed himself to doing everything he could to make David successful. He rejoiced in telling his friend David, “You will be king over Israel and I will be next to you.” (I Samuel 23:17). Those who humble themselves under God’s almighty hand will be exalted in due time (see I Peter 5:6). He has a wonderful role for you to fill in His body, a role fashioned especially for you. As you seek Him, He will show you what it is.

Don Potter has been a worship leader in many of the MorningStar conferences. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the popular jazz artist Chuck Mangione, and has been a producer for the Judds and Wynonna. Don is also an outstanding songwriter who has songs on several of the MorningStar albums.

16-May-10

Barnabas P.

Prisca
Siew Pin, Peggy Tan, Lareina

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Ken Fhui
Kai Yew

Meng Fhui
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

9-May-10

Siow KW

Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Colleen


Meng Fhui, Prisca
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Ken Fhui

Moses Tan

Manjit Singh, Hiew FF.

1 May 2010

Chairman - Liong KC
WorshipLeader - Foong Yee
Singers - Colleen, Hong Lu, Prisca
Keyboardist - Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
Guitarists - Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Drummer - Darren
Projectionist - Tian Sia
PA Personnel - Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

25 April 2010

Chairperson - Caleb R.
WorshipLeader - Terry C,
Singers - Shankar R., Lydia Sim, Lareina
Keyboardists - Meng Fhui, Jocelyn Lee
Guitarists - Ken Fhui, Darren
Drummer - Jaemy C,
Projectionist - Moses Tan
PA Personnel - Hiew, Tommy Q.

18 April 2010

Barnabas P.
Kai Yew
Jacquelina, Colleen, Peggy Tan
Prisca, Jonathan Long
Weng Ern, Prisca
Anna Sim
Terry Chong
Hiew FF, Manjit Singh

11 April 2010

Dr. Siow KW
Peter Long
Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee
Jonathan Long, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Terry C.
Ken Fhui
Meng Fhui
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

4 April 2010

Liong KC
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Lareina,Colleen
Grace Lee, Meng Fhui
Anna Sim, Weng Ern
Prisca
Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

28 Mac 2010

Caleb R.  
Shankar
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Peggy Tan 
Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
Terry C., Khen Fhui  
Darren
Moses Tan 
Hiew, Tommy Q.

21 Mac 2010

Barnabas P.
Terry C.
Colleen, Hong Lu, Foong Yee
Prisca, Jocelyn Lee
Weng Ern, Darren
Anna Sim
Moses Tan
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

14 Mac 2010

Dr. Siow KW
Kai Yew
Lareina, Peggy Tan, Shankar R
Meng Fhui, Jonathan Long
Darren, Ken Fhui
Jaemy
Tian Sia
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

7 Mac 2010

Tom C.

Foong Yee

Tan Sia, Siew Pin, Meng Fhui

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee

Anna Sim, Weng Ern

Darren

Ken Fhui

Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

28 Feb 2010

Caleb R.

Peggy Tan

Colleen, Lydia Sim, Hong Lu

Prisca, Meng Fhui

Weng Ern, Anna Sim

Ken Fhui

Moses Tan

Hiew FF, Tommy .Q

21 Feb 2010

Barnabas P.

Prisca

Siew Pin, Peggy Tan, Lareina

Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee

Darren, Ken Fhui

Kai Yew

Meng Fhui

Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

14-Feb 2010

Dr. Siow KW

Shankar

Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Colleen

Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui

Anna Sim, Weng Ern

Ken Fhui

Moses Tan

Manjit Singh, Hiew FF.

7 Feb 10 (C)

CM: Barnabas P.
WL: Shankar R.
BU: Foong Yee, Gigi Lim, Kenneth Lai
P: Chris Lai
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Terry
D: Darren Oi
LCD: Moses, Colleen
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C

31 Jan 10

CM: Liong KC
WL: Peter Long
BU: Jason Lai, Chris Lai, Colleen
P: Grace Lee
S: Jonathan Long
G: Darren Oi
D: Kai Yew
LCD: Jocelyn, Siew Pin
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF
-


7 Feb 10 (C)
Barnabas P.
Shankar R.
Foong Yee, Gigi Lim, Kenneth Lai
Chris Lai
Jocelyn Lee
Terry
Darren Oi
Moses, Colleen
Tommy Q, Tom C

24 Jan 10

CM: Tom C.
WL: Terry Choong
BU: Foong Yee, Hong Lu, Siew Pin
P: Lydia Sim
S: Chris Lai
G: Anna Sim
D: Kenneth Lai
LCD: Lareina, Timothy
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C

-
31 Jan 10
CM: Liong KC
WL: Peter Long
BU: Jason Lai, Chris Lai, Colleen
P: Grace Lee
S: Jonathan Long
G: Darren Oi
D: Kai Yew
LCD: Jocelyn, Siew Pin
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF

17 Jan 10 (C)

CM: Caleb R.
WL: Peggy Tan
BU: Lareina, Timothy, Shankar
P: Chris Lai
S: Jason Lai
G: Weng Ern
D: Jaemy C.
LCD: Moses, Kenneth
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF
-
24 Jan 10 
CM: Tom C.
WL: Terry Choong
BU: Foong Yee, Hong Lu, Siew Pin
P: Lydia Sim
S: Chris Lai
G: Anna Sim
D: Kenneth Lai
LCD: Lareina, Timothy
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C

10 Jan 10

CM: Siow KW
WL: Kai Yew
BU: Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Chris Lai
P: Grace Lee
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Kenneth Lai
D: Anna Sim
LCD: Siew Pin, Colleen
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C
- 

17 Jan 10 (C)
 CM: Caleb R.
WL: Peggy Tan
BU: Lareina, Timothy, Shankar
P: Chris Lai
S: Jason Lai
G: Weng Ern
D: Jaemy C.
LCD: Moses, Kenneth
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF