Living a Life of Worship

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:55:00 +0000

The gospel is central to what we believe as Christians and recently there have been a lot of books published related to this topic of the gospel or gospel-centered __________. You wouldn't think that these books would be necessary, but I believe they are because at least for me after reading The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler, I realize that I still have a long way to go to really understanding what the gospel is and how to communicate it. Before I get to far into this, if you're like me, I had to look up the word explicit as I wanted to get an accurate definition of that word; 1) fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied, 2) clearly developed or formulated, 3) described or shown in realistic detail. It's amazing to me how adding one specifically selected adjective can completely enhance the understanding of the word it's describing. Chandler writes this about the book,

"Even if you go to church, it doesn't mean that you are being exposed (or exposing others) to the gospel explicitly. Sure, most people talk about Jesus, and about being good and avoiding bad, but the gospel message simply isn't there―at least not in its specificity and its fullness."

That was, and is, me. I grew up in the church all my life, but I know I had this idea that I had to do all these things to earn God's love. It's so easy to get caught up in the dos and don'ts, that we so easily forget that the cross says, "Done!" As Chandler expresses in this book, the gospel is more than the message of Christ dying for our sins and being raised from the dead so that we can be saved and set free from sin and death, but that it's also God's message of the restoration of all things from creation till He comes back again. Chandler uses two metaphors for this throughout the book, 1) the gospel on the ground, which focuses on the power of grace in our personal lives, and 2) the gospel in the air, which is a "tour de force story of creation, fall, reconciliation, consummation―a grand display display of God's glory in his overarching purposes of subjecting all things to the supremacy of Christ." Chandler stresses that we need a balance of both of these views to completely understand the gospel. He finishes the book by giving us warnings and things to watch out for should we focus on one or the other of these positions too much, dealing with moralism (the idea that we are able to earn favor with God and justify ourselves before God by virtue of our behavior), and the message of the cross. This is one of those books that will not stay of the shelf, but one that will be read again and again as I continue to learn and grow in the gospel. I would encourage everyone to read this book. I end with this that Chandler wrote,

"Here is a call to true Christianity, to know the gospel explicitly, and to unite the church on the amazing grounds of the good news of Jesus!"

Special thanks to Crossway for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

1000 Days by Jonathan Falwell

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:21:00 +0000

1000 Days: The Ministry of Christ by Jonathan Falwell gives us a concise look at Jesus' three years, roughly 1000 days, of public ministry. He brings the accounts and stories of the four Gospels into one book. Falwell's pastoral nature comes out in his writing as it's not just information, but he also adds application. This book comes across like it could be, and maybe it has been, a 15-week sermon series. As the book progresses through each chapter we encounter a different aspect of Christ's ministry. It's not a difficult book to read and it's not one that has some sort of new astounding idea. These are not bad things though. I think so often we get caught up in the new, out-of-the-box, creative ideas to share a message that we forget about the basic, stripped-down message. If you've been a Christian or in church for a while, most likely you've heard sermons on these same topics, but it's nice to have a collection of these messages all from the same person. I also love the heart of Falwell as he shares personal stories that illustrate points so well. I also appreciate how Falwell incorporates word studies throughout the book. He brings things back to the original Greek and gives us definitions. I was really captivated in the chapter about Christ's messages from the cross. So many time I've heard Christ's words, "It is finished." and know what the message is behind it, but seeing what the word finished means gives new meaning and depth to this message. Falwell writes that the word finished, tetelestai, means "a past completed action that has continual and enduring results." "It is finished" is a message that spans the test of time and still has the same power now that it did then. This book is one that shows us how Christ lived and then challenges us to live like He did. Early in the book we see how Jesus called His disciples, and I think it leaves us with the perfect question to ask ourselves, "Their [the 12 disciples'] response to Jesus' call was to forsake everything and follow Him. What will be your response?" What will your response be? What will my response be? As we gain more insight and understanding of how Christ lived during his three years of public ministry, will we follow Him and live like He did.

This book also contains a lot of study tools. At the end of each chapter there are questions to be used for personal reflection or small group discussion. Falwell also includes a Bible study guide at the end of the book.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:38:00 +0000

I'm so thankful for Crossway and the Re:Lit label and the books they continue to publish. They continue to publish books that are so focused on the gospel and how to live the Christian life. Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson was a fantastic book to read. I was very interested in reading this book, but it also caught me off guard in a good way. The topic of discipleship truly is gospel centered. It's so Gospel centered that if you truly understand and live out the Gospel, discipleship will follow. It really begins and ends with the Gospel. Dodson writes this in the introduction to the book, "Gospel-centered discipleship is not about how we perform but who we are―imperfect people, clinging to a perfect Christ, being perfected by the Spirit." I think we to often get in the mindset that the gospel is only meant to save people, but as Dodson points out in his book that yes, it is meant for salvation, but it is also meant for sanctification. The gospel is meant for disciples as well as sinners. I think about Jesus' twelve disciples and he didn't just call them, but he also built into them; he taught them, he shared the message with them, and he gave them the tools to go out, share, and teach others. Through our faith in Christ because of the gospel message and with the power of the Holy Spirit we have all the tools we need to build into others. It's remembering the power of the gospel. Dodson also writes this in his book, "Disciples are gospel people who introduce and reintroduce themselves and others to the person and power of Jesus over and over again. A disciple of Jesus never stops learning the gospel, relating in the gospel and communicating the gospel." I love the idea that he gives through the aspect of Fight Clubs. A fight club is a small group of men or women who get together to fight the desires of the flesh and believe the gospel of grace. They are incredibly relational and by keeping the gospel as the central message can be huge in the development of disciples of Jesus. I would highly recommend that every follower of Christ read this book. Not only will it enhance your understanding of the gospel, but also how to use the gospel to build into others. It's definitely a good book to read by yourself, but I also think it would be very beneficial to read with others and begin the process of discipleship right away.

Special thanks to Crossway for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:23:00 +0000

This book, Kingdom Man: Every Man's Destiny, Every Woman's Dream by Tony Evans, couldn't have come at a more appropriate time in my life. Tony Evans writes this, "A cursory glance around our homes, churches, communities, and globe reveals that men--not all, but many--have missed the goal to live as a Kingdom Man." I have come to realize how much I've fallen short of what it means to be a Kingdom man. Evans defines a Kingdom man as "a man who positions himself and operates according to the comprehensive rule of God over every area of his life." For so long I have tried operate under my own power and it has severely affected a lot of my life. God created man and as a man, I am responsible. By God's grace and Tony Evans' faithfulness to call men to be Kingdom men, He is doing a work in me. I have heard God's call in my life to become a Kingdom man through the words written by Tony Evans. This book has the power to change mens lives as long as they will read it with an open mind and heart and a willingness to let God show areas where the reader can change and grow. It certainly has for me. There is so much pressure coming from the world and in how they define a man, but as Evans writes, "When you choose to seek God and His ways, you no longer have to be held hostage to the definitions of this world." I would highly encourage every man to read this book and be vulnerable enough to open your heart and let God come in and show you where you have fallen short. I also believe it would be helpful for women to read this book as well, especially those that are married, so that they can help encourage their husbands to become the man, Kingdom man, that God has for them.

"A kingdom man models himself after the greatest Kingdom Man of all."

Special thanks to Tyndale for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

The Gospel as Center by D.A. Carson & Timothy Keller

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:48:00 +0000

Crossway and The Gospel Coalition have published a fantastic resource in The Gospel as Center: Renewing Our Faith and Reforming Our Ministry Practices edited by D.A. Carson and Timothy Keller. Via the TGC's website, "The Gospel Coalition is an evangelical movement dedicated to the gospel of Christ and a Scripture-based reformation of ministry practices." This book is a one volume compilation of their booklets that unpack their confessional statement. What I appreciate about this book is how much detail they put into the aspects of their confessional statement. I've seen a lot of statements and while they're necessary and I realize that all of them can't be the length of a book, it's nice to have a resource where these aspects are explained. The greatest aspect is that each part is gospel-centered. As Christians and local church bodies I think it's important that we seek to make everything we do gospel-centered. I'm thankful for an organization that seeks to make the gospel the center of their ministry and for providing material that focuses on Jesus in areas of ministry.

Special thanks to Crossway for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 03.11.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:23:00 +0000

Week #190 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, March 11th.

- Nothing but the Blood
- Come Thou Fount
- Jesus, Lord of Heaven by Phil Wickham
- Great and Mighty by The Cadets
- The Solid Rock
- I Love Your Presence by Bethel Music
- You Are My King (Amazing Love) by Billy Foote
- In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

This morning we went with a friend down to Berkeley to attend Sanctuary Berkeley. They're a new church plant there. Our friend knows the pastor and my wife also has a friend that has started going there, so we decided to go check it out. Unfortunately, my wife's friend had another commitment today and couldn't make it, so we'll probably be back again at another time. The church is still small, but we were able to spend some time with some of the people there before and after church and at lunch. They are a group that is passionate about Jesus and seeing the Gospel advanced in Berkeley.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-190/

Sunday Setlist - 03.04.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:29:00 +0000

Week #189 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, March 4th.

- Awakening by Chris Tomlin
- Your Love Oh Lord by Third Day
- Speak, O Lord by Keith & Kristyn Getty
- In Christ Alone by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
- O Praise Him by David Crowder

This morning we attended SOMA Church Community here in Santa Rosa. Their pastor spoke at Bethel a few years ago and it turns out we know a couple that attends there. It's a small church but they have a great vision and a love for God. The last couple years on Easter Sunday they don't have regular services. Instead they do an Easter Brunch in downtown Santa Rosa for the homeless and then do a smaller service there in downtown. They are currently in the middle of a message series based on the book Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. Pastor Paul brought a great message on Lack of Self-Control and Selfishness. I'm sure this is a church that we will be back to again.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-189/

Paul Baloche | The Same Love

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Worship Pastor and songwriter Paul Baloche is back with a brand new album, The Same Love. Should you not recognize his name, most likely you have sung his songs in corporate worship. He is known for songs such as "Open the Eyes of My Heart," "Above All," "Hosanna," and "Your Name." As a worship leader I have greatly appreciated Paul's songs and have used many during worship services. I constantly return to A Greater Song and Glorious in times of personal worship. Through a collaborative effort with other great worship leaders and songwriters including Ben Fielding, Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster, Jason Ingram, Kathryn Scott, All Sons & Daughters, Brothers McClurg, and Ed Kerr, Paul Baloche has given us a great new collection of songs. Now to be honest, this album did not grab me right away like his other ones have. Having followed Paul's music for a while now, I thought I knew what I would be hearing the first time I hit play. It has taken a few listens to the album to get to where I've been with his previous albums on the first listen. This change in feel/sound is refreshing though. Music is always changing and this new album follows that, but Paul has not deterred from his solid lyrics. These new songs continue to draw you into worship and focus our hearts on the One who is worthy of our worship.

Shout For Joy: A wonderful call to worship for any service, though I could see it having tremendous impact at an Easter service or Christmas Eve/Christmas service. "Lift up your grateful heart to the Morning Star, He's alive and here with us. Shout for joy, for the Son of God, is the saving one, He's the saving one. Shout for joy, see what love has done, He has come for us, He's the saving one."

We Are Saved: This is a fantastic anthem that the church can lift up in praise, giving thanks back to God for the salvation that He's given us. "We stand amazed at the work of the cross, we are saved, we are saved. Our sin has been forgiven, You've broken every chain, we are saved, we are saved."

Several tracks on this album will also prove helpful for those looking to add a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary choruses to their repertoire. Paul has taken aspects of greats hymns and re-written them with wonderful new verses and choruses in "All Because of the Cross" (Nothing But the Blood), "My Hope" (The Solid Rock), and "Christ the Lord" (Christ the Lord is Risen Today).

Check out the music video to "The Same Love" below. You can pick up the single here, and get charts for the song here.

Special thanks to Integrity Music for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. Look for this new album in Christian retail stores on March 13th and then through all digital service providers on April 3rd. You can also enjoy this new album in a great new digital experience.

Sunday Setlist - 02.19.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:36:00 +0000

Week #187 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, February 19th.

- Alive Again by Matt Maher
- I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
- All My Fountains by Chris Tomlin
- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- Healing Is In Your Hands by Christy Nockels
- Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

In light of my comments in last Sunday Setlist post, my wife and I decided to return to Spring Hills this past Sunday.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-187/

Sunday Setlist - 02.12.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Week #186 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, February 12th.

- We Cry Out by Jeremy Camp
- Forever Reign by Hillsong
- All Because of Jesus by Steve Fee
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- How He Loves by John Mark McMillan
- Word of God Speak by MercyMe

This week my wife and I attended Spring Hills Community Church. The music was great. I've gotten to know the worship pastor over the years since I've been here and he does a great job with their team. We're definitely planning on going back at some point. The service was good, but when it came to the message there wasn't a lot of time spent in the Word, so we want to check it out again and make sure it's not a regular occurrence. Ironically, they just started the "40 Days in the Word" campaign. It was an introduction to the series, so we're hoping that the lack of scripture used in the message was just because of that.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-186/

Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship & Life Together by Mark & Grace Driscoll has been a highly anticipated book and one that I was very much looking forward to reading. I was grabbed from the first time I read a description of the book and was happy to see that a pastor and his wife were going to tackle a book on marriage together. I appreciate how the Driscoll's start off this book by openly sharing about their marriage. It sets the tone of how open and real the rest of the book will be. Now I realize there has been a lot of backlash against Driscoll and this book for his supposed "crudeness" and the highly controversial "Can We _____?" chapter. However what I see and read is a pastor who is not afraid to tackle these tough issues. I believe the church needs more pastors like this. So often in the church we talk about how unfortunate it is that culture, movies, celebrities, etc. are influencing the way young people view sex, but at the same time we don't ever bring it up inside the four walls of our local churches. Here is a pastor and his wife who aren't afraid to take a biblical stand on marriage and sex. This is a definitely a book I will need to spend more time in, but I can say that is has caused me to stop and think about my own marriage. And I believe that is the point that Mark and Grace want to happen as people read this book; to stop and think and have conversations as a couple about their marriage. I recently came across an article interview that Mark did and he says this,

"Our goal in the book was not so that bloggers could talk with one another about issues of their sex lives. Our goal was that husbands and wives could have those conversations. That’s really the motive. So bloggers and tweeters and Facebookers, they’re free to discuss it, but really, it’s for married couples."

I challenge you to get past your preconceived ideas and opinions of the Driscolls and this book, and read through it with an open mind. Let it cause you to think, to have conversations.

Currently, Mark's church, Mars Hill, is doing a sermon series based off the book; Real Marriage: A Sermon Series About Jesus, the Gospel, and Marriage. You can check those out here.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 01.29.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Week #184 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, January 29th.

- Anchor Me by Alwyn Wall
- How Great Thou Art
- Come Ye Sinners by Fernando Ortega
- Sing to Jesus by Fernando Ortega
- Living Water by Five O'Clock People
- Stronger by Hillsong

This morning my wife and I attended Refuge Christian Fellowship in downtown Santa Rosa. It was a great morning of worship. It was a refreshing change and we were blessed to have been there today. The pastor brought a fantastic message out of Genesis 15 on Justification by Faith. He contrasted that with how much we get stuck going through life in a justification by works mindset. Was a great reminder on how much we need to focus on the gospel even as Christians. The gospel isn't just for when we're non-Christians, but for Christians as well. I'm currently reading Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian and came across this quote;

"The gospel remains the power of God for salvation until we're glorified."

What an important Word to remember. We were also able to go to lunch afterwards with some friends that go there and chat about church and life. It's definitely a different and strange time in our life, but we're continuing to trust that God will lead us to a church to get involved in.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-184/

Torn by Jud Wilhite

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +0000

In Torn: Trusting God When Life Leaves You in Pieces, Jud Wilhite has written a book that is relevant to everyone. Christians and non-Christians should take the time to read this book. Jud is a pastor and his heart and passion of sharing Christ and strength in Him comes out in the writing of this book. Instead of focusing on our struggles, pain, and situations, Jud puts are focus on the God who can take care of all our struggles, pain, and situations. At the same time when putting our focus on God, he doesn't downplay or try and tell us that struggles won't come, but instead that they will and when they do we have someone who can take care of us. Jud writes this in one of the chapters, "When our world falls apart and the pain of life settles in, yes, we are looking for explanations and meaning and rationale, but even more so we want assurance. Yes, we want answers. But these cries of pain, whether to God explicitly or just into the universe, are evidence of an implicit trust that something or someone greater-someone with answers!-is out there." The reasons for all the "Why?" questions don't have to be from major circumstances in life. I would venture to say that most of have "Why?" questions. I found myself being spoken too throughout the pages of this book. For me it was in the second part of the book, where Jud talks about true community and sharing your struggles. I found myself after reading that chapter how I needed to find someone to speak the Gospel into my life. Jud quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his book Life Together, and I couldn't get it out of my head.

"The Christian needs another Christian who speak God's Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation. He needs his brother solely because of Jesus Christ. The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother's is sure."

Life is sure to get rocky for us all, but what Jud shares is that we don't have to go through life alone. We need to share our struggles and allow others to walk with us, but ultimately we have a sovereign God who isn't surprised by what we're going through and is there to comfort us as we walk through the tough times in our lives.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 01.22.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Week #183 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, January 22nd.

- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
- Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
- Like Incense/Sometimes By Step by Hillsong
- Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong
- In Christ Alone by Keith & Kristyn Getty

After a three-week hiatus from being gone and having family in town over the weekends, my wife and I started a new season in our life of finding a new home church for the time until God leads us to our next ministry position. This morning we went to The Cove. One of my wife's friends is the worship leader there. It definitely is a weird feeling being out searching for a church. Hard to believe that at the age of 27 and after 4.5 years of marriage this is the first time that my wife and I find ourselves in this position. Other than finding a church during college, both her and I grew up at one church and then went straight to Bethel after getting married. I'd ask that you continue to pray for us as we go through this transition and new season in life.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-183/

Sunday Setlist - 01.01.12

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Week #180 of Sunday Setlists.

This is a very different Sunday Setlists post for me. For the first time since I started taking part in this blog post series on September 6, 2009, I have nothing to report on. Last Sunday was my last day at my previous church. You can read all about that here. My wife had the last week off from work and since I had some time off we decided to take a small road trip/vacation at the end of the year and didn't get back home until Sunday afternoon. In the coming weeks I will keep posting, but it will be as a worshipper/attender instead of the worship leader. Pray for my wife and I as we seek out a new church home and as we figure out job options for myself. Praying that everyone has a fantastic 2012!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-180/

Books Read: July - December 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Part 5 of the posts regarding books that I have read lately. Part 1: books read in 2009, Part 2: books read in January - June of 2010, Part 3: books read in July - December of 2010, and Part 4: books read in January - June of 2011.

• Let God Change Your Life by Greg Laurie *
• The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris *
• Mirror Ball by Matt Redman *
• The Worship Answer Book by Rick Muchow
• Rumors of God by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson *
• Erasing Hell by Francis Chan *
• Torn by Jud Wilhite *
• The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel
• He Who Honors Me by Mike Kim & Derek Joseph Levendusky

Was hoping to have read more books during this time, but it didn't seem like I had as much time for reading. The last couple months have been good though. I'm currently going through Disciple by Bill Clem with a friend and fellow pastor in town. It is a great book that has been causing me to do a lot of thinking and reevaluation in my life spiritually. Thankful for his friendship and looking forward to going through the remainder of it with him.

What are you reading? Leave me a comment with your recommendations!

Special thanks to BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson, Blogging for Books/WaterBrook Multnomah, and The B & B Media Group/David C. Cook for providing some of these books to read and review (marked by a *).

Sunday Setlist - 12.25.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:15:00 +0000

Week #179 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 25th.

- Born is the King by Hillsong
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Mary Did You Know? (special music)
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- O Come All Ye Faithful

Merry Christmas everyone! It was great to gather with the Body of Christ and worship together on Christmas morning. It was a great service and a fun, relaxed one. We told everyone that kids, and those that still feel like kids, could wear their PJs to church. It was fun to see people do that. It was also a bittersweet service too. This was my wife and I's last Sunday at Bethel. Over the last few months, we have been sensing God bringing our time and ministry at Bethel to a close and today was our last day. You can see a previous post about this here. It's gonna be a journey of really trusting God, but my wife and I are excited to see what God does. Hoping everyone else had some great Christmas services!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-179/

Christmas Eve Setlist - 12.24.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

This is a special Christmas Eve episode of Sunday Setlists, even though it was a Saturday night. Here is our setlist for Christmas Eve, December 24th.

- Joy to the World by Chris Tomlin
- The First Noel by David Crowder
- Welcome & Prayer
- The Gift of Jesus Christ (choir song)
- Advent Reading
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Away in a Manger
- O Holy Night
- Scripture Reading: Luke 1.26-38 and Matthew 1.18-25
- The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul (video)
- Message
- Prayer
- Lighting of Candles
- Silent Night by Matt Maher
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing

What a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Bethel! It was a blessing to gather together and worship Christ, the newborn King! Below you can find a preview of The Lightlings story by R.C. Sproul.

Times of Transition

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:45:00 +0000

This is one blog post that I've been trying to write for a while, but just haven't found the words to say. I figured the best way to hopefully have it come out is to just start writing. I was looking at the title for my blog, Journey of a Worshipper, and this definitely falls in that category. Four and a half years ago in July of 2007 after having just gotten married, my wife and I started a journey in ministry at Bethel Baptist Church. After having talked with the Senior Pastor during my last semester of college, we got plugged into the church and I began leading worship. In October of 2007 I was brought on staff part-time as the Director of Worship Ministries. It was a joy to get a job doing what I believe God has called me to do. Throughout my time at Bethel, God has done some great things in the life of the church, the people there, and personally in my life. I believe I have grown as a folllower of Christ, husband to my lovely wife, as a worshipper and as a worship leader. I'm forever grateful for my pastor and elder board for taking a chance on a young guy, fresh out of college, entering into his first ministry position and the journey has been one I will never forget. This journey brings us to the end of 2011 and my last week on staff at Bethel. A few months ago my wife and I have sensed that God was bringing our time and ministry at Bethel to a close. Throughout months of prayer and conversation we believe that is indeed what He was doing. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but one we believe we needed to follow. About a month and a half ago I brought this to the attention of my pastor and elder board and now we near my last day on Christmas Day.

This decision has obviously raised a lot of questions; Are you moving? Where are you going to go to church? What will you be doing now? etc. At this point in time we're staying in Northern California. My wife has a steady full-time job and I have another part-time job. We don't know where we will be going to church yet. I don't know what else I will be doing yet. Over the years I have been searching for God's direction in a full-time worship position, but to this point in time He hasn't provided that for me. I will continue that search and just wait for His provision. In this journey that has probably been the hardest part for me, and in the mean time, I didn't think I would be leaving Bethel before He had provided that. But now my wife and I take a step out in faith, trusting that God will provide in His timing.

Sunday Setlist - 12.18.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:09:00 +0000

Week #178 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 18th.

- Born is the King by Hillsong
- Go Tell It On the Mountain
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by David Crowder
- How Should a King Come? (choir song)
- The Gift of Jesus Christ (choir song)

We had a great service at Bethel! The Sunday before Christmas we always have a special Christmas service with a brunch afterwards. The last couple years we have also formed a choir and we did the same this year. The choir did a great job. The worship team did a great job as well. The team loved the new Hillsong tune. It's a lot of fun. I also love David Crowder's version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Looking forward to next weekend as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-178/

Sunday Setlist - 12.11.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Week #177 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 11th.

- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- Joy to the World by Chris Tomlin (without the chorus & key change)

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-177/

Sunday Setlist - 12.04.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +0000

Week #176 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 4th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Your Name by Paul Baloche
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
- Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin

It was a good morning at Bethel. This morning we had a praise service. It was nice to have more music than usual in a service. We also had a time of sharing with the congregation. Great to hear what God is doing in the lives of the people of Bethel. It was also the second Sunday of Advent and we celebrated communion. The worship team did great with all the music and it's my prayer that God was glorified in everything that happened this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-176/

Sunday Setlist - 11.27.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Week #175 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 27th.

- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Our God by Chris Tomlin

Great morning of worship on this Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was also the start of Advent and this year I found a great resource from Mark D. Roberts; Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ. There are lots of reading out there based on a lot of different meanings for the candles, but this one really spoke to me this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what God does in the season of the church.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-175/

Sunday Setlist - 11.20.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:20:00 +0000

Week #174 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 20th.

- Our God by Chris Tomlin
- All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

Good morning of worship. Bethel really seems to be grabbing a hold of Our God. It's such a great song with great lyrics. Really grateful for one of my other worship leaders introducing it last week. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those songs that will be around a while.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-174/

Sunday Setlist - 11.13.11

noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Rotman) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:23:00 +0000

Week #173 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 13th.

- You're Worthy of My Praise by David Ruis
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
- How Great Thou Art
- Our God by Chris Tomlin

I am incredibly blessed to work with such a great team that has others that are willing to use their gifts and lead our congregation in worship. We're a relatively small church and there is a great team of people a part of the music/worship ministry. Praying that ours and others services were a blessing to those that walked through the doors.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-173/