Towne Hall Meeting, Music I

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 2-3
NT: Philippians 4
W&W: Psalm 111

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 4-5
NT: Colossians 1
W&W: Psalm 112

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 6
NT: Colossians 2
W&W: Psalm 113

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 7-8
NT: Colossians 3
W&W: Psalm 114

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Ezekiel 9-10
NT: Colossians 4
W&W: Psalm 115

Today’s Reflection:

In the Towne Hall Meeting, I have answered several question about music. The first was submitted as follows: Pastor, I was wondering about: “our congregational singing on Sunday morning. Are we ever going to sing from our hymnals those beautiful hymns of faith and inspiration that have served the church so well in the past?” Below is the first part of my response:

“I’ve asked Mark to help me address that topic. But before he speaks, I want to tell you about how we plan the services. When I arrived, I didn’t want to change very much, and that included the way you were worshiping (except as you recall, I did move the offering to the end of the service). I did realize however, that there were some minor adjustments that I needed to make in order to reflect my style.

“I want to thank the board and Pastor Roberts for giving me such a helper as Mark Owen. He is a wonderful Christian young man and adds much to our services. It is a pleasure working with him. In the wisdom of Pastor Roberts, the church board, and even our DS (for he approved his remaining here during the interim), Mark was planning the music when I arrived. He was doing a great job from all I could tell. I knew that I wanted him to continue to express that God-given talent and call and that for that to happen, I should not limit him too much. I sensed that he was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and I liked his style. I knew we could work well together.

“As I observed the first couple of weeks, I thought it was a good blend of hymns and contemporary songs. I wanted Mark to keep things the way they were in that regard in order to reach a broad spectrum of people. I’m very pleased with the balance he has achieved.

Tune in tomorrow for more about the music at Bethel Nazarene Church!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Matthew 16.24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”