Yesterday was a most favorite day in my book. Why?
Shannon was leading at SSCC and I was singing harmonies and playing keys for him.
I Love: Sunday Morning when we get up at the crack of dawn to catch the bus – when the kids eat their toast in the car – when I am slap wore out on Sunday afternoons and the whole house is hushed with nappingness…
The day looks something like this:
We lay everything out the night before (and I do mean everything).
We get up really early and head over to the bus stop to catch the bus to SSCC.
SSCC staff ride the bus to church to eliminate parking issues. The boys think this is so fun. Their backpacks are ready with snacks drinks games ipod etc.
We arrive at the church and I have someone set up to watch kids while we sound check/rehearse. The main rehearsal is on Thursday nights so this is really just to spot check and review levels. This past Sunday the sitter was a younger sister of a girl who was singing on our team. The boys had a blast sitting in the lobby: Kenimer loves Sunday rehearsals since that is one of the rare times he gets to play games on the IPOD. Tucker put together a mini puzzle.
After practice they go to breakfast club which is set up for children of volunteers or staff who serve one and attend one. This keeps the kids from having to attend their tiny town class twice.They eat breakfast and play games. After first service I get the boys and we hang out in the Rush Hour room (middle school service) while Shannon is usually practicing. This week Kim Dixon was leading for Rush Hour. We enjoyed listening to her rehearsal.
The kids always eat their snack and play some more… often stopping to run laps around the room or wrestle with middle school youth pastor Justin. Then it’s time for 2nd service and I take them to their Tiny Town classes. On Sundays we only go to one service Keminer often cries because he does’nt get to ride the bus to church or attend breakfast club.
This week as I sat backstage I realized how blessed I am to be able to do this with my life partner. There are things I have been praying about for a while regarding my personal life heart for worship attitude and so on. I realized that Jesus indeed is changing me from the inside out.
Here is a short worship confessional from the perspective of a keyboardist and back up singer:
Happy Day (Hughes)- walk in music- I love how Shannon started this song- Acapella and then built it. I especially love the keyboard riff.
Glory to God Forever (Fee)- Such a solid worship song- we had done it three weeks before congregation responded well and I love the harmonies.
Wandering Heart (Saint Lewis original)- a song about returning to your first love. I am so humbled and blessed to have been part in writing it. Check out tomorrow’s blog for a bit more about this song.
Not Guilty Anymore (Aaron Keyes) This was a communion song about being set free from the bondage of our sins. Shannon and I are getting to know Aaron and his family and have already been so blessed and encouraged by them. This is a short excerpt from Sunday…take a listen…
“Not Guilty Anymore” (Aaron Keyes) led by Shannon Lewis @ SSCC by SaintLewis
Then our closing songs:
You are my King (Foote)- Great response song.
Mighty to Save (Hillsong)- Love the Laura Story riffs in the beginning- This song is so anthemic. It touches me every time I sing or play it. We combined Laura Story’s piano intro riff with Hillsong’s driving intro rhythm. It really worked well!
Here is my best friend and songwriting partner and I – backstage between services!