August 31, 2023
Happy Thursday, everyone. Here’s what you need to know going into this weekend:
Coming Up
This Sunday
Scripture text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
It Was Finished Upon That Cross
Living Hope
Upcoming Songs:
September 10 - Jesus You Alone
September 17 - Come, Christians Join to Sing
September 24 - He Leadeth Me (Multigen Sunday)
October 1 - Washed Away
Worship Ministry Spotlight
Aubrey Smith
Choir member - soprano
Hometown:
Ooltewah, TN
Kids:
No, but I REALLY want a dog!
How long have you been at Stevens Street?
4 years
Highschool activity:
Softball, basketball, volleyball, and golf
Favorite free time activity:
Be outside, read, or watch movies
Dream vacation spot:
Anywhere with beautiful nature, but also some historical places to learn about.
Favorite breakfast cereal:
Frosted Flakes.
If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Guitar because it can be played on its own and seems like a lot of fun.
Favorite thing about worship ministry:
Getting the chance to sing with others that love to sing for the Lord, and learning a lot of the thoughts behind what we do as a worship ministry.
Notes
For your calendar, the date for the Christmas worship service will be Sunday evening, December 10 at 5:00p. As usual, we plan on extending the two Wednesday evening rehearsals prior to that service, so rehearsals on Wednesday, Nov 19 and Dec 6 will be from 6-8pm. Be on the lookout for a special Christmas practice CD soon.
Connect groups will be assigned and go into effect after Labor Day. We have been adding several new worship ministry members, and I want to wait until we’ve completed all those interviews before assigning groups.
As you are aware, we have been praying hard for Reagan Bagci, son of Ali (tenor in our choir) who is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy at St. Jude. Reagan’s 14th birthday is coming up Friday, September 1. To continue to love and serve this family, I’d like to encourage you to send Reagan a happy birthday card this week. You can send it addressed to Reagan Bagci at Apt. 221, 1811 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38104.
Prayer Requests
David Barrett, former choir member, diagnosed with lymphoma in his liver.
Grandma Betty and Vic Speck.
Praise: Dennis Baker’s mother’s eye surgery went well.
Reagan Bagci and family (Ali, Michelle). Reagan has chemo today.
Pastor Scott, as he prepares to preach the Word on Sunday.
Looking to pray something specific for our church? Pray Ephesians 3:16-19.
An Extra
I ran across a great article this week discussing the specific need for churches to encourage men to sing. The impact of a worshipping, singing man on their families is immeasurably great when it comes to spiritual health.
Have you ever been to a church service and seen men in the congregation just standing there with their arms folded and mouth closed during the congregational singing? Have you ever wondered why they don’t sing? Individual heart issues aside, is it possible that there are elements of what is popular in evangelical church worship today that actually discourage men from participating?
As this article points out, I’m convinced that there are real, practical things that churches can do to facilitate the singing of men in the congregation. There is indeed a crisis of biblical masculinity in our culture right now, and we need to boldly call men to lead their families to worship God, as He has designed them to do.
Just a little inside look into the planning of our worship services—if I had to pick one demographic target that I am aiming at when I choose songs and how we sing them, it would be the grown men in our congregation. If we can help them sing, we can help the family sing.
Knowing that, what kind of practical considerations should drive our song choices and the way we lead those songs?
Questions?
Respond to the worship ministry text on your phone, or use the form below.
Email Andy: ahammond@stevensstreet.org
Email April: alangford@stevensstreet.org