For the first three weeks of this month I am leading worship for our Sunday morning services at Crosspoint. Each week I lead worship for our youth ministry, and each weekend I play guitar in our services. It is always exciting to have the opportunity to lead people in worship. I enjoy checking out what other people’s setlists look like, so here is our order from last Sunday morning…

That was Paul Baloche’s “Hosanna,” and Tim Hughes’s “Happy Day” if you didn’t recognize them. Some great friends of mine were with me in the band. Jeff Ingersoll was on drums and percussion. Shea Guptill was singing and rocked Brooke Fraser’s “Lead me to the cross.” Colin Smith joined us on bass, and it was a special treat. He defines “musicality.” When I was praying and thinking through the setlist a month before leading the service I decided to keep it simple and clean. I lead from the acoustic guitar, and didn’t miss playing the electric at any time during the morning services. Colin and I were able to add enough tonally from bass and guitar to make it seem complete. I added the lead parts in “Your grace is enough,” and “Happy Day” from my acoustic. At one point the pre-chorus “So remember Your people” from ”Your grace is enough,” took on the progression of Dave Matthews’s “#41.” 

Using Shure in-ears has helped me in preparation and in leading worship. I find it is easier to play acoustic live with the sound isolation and my vocals improve.  You don’t have to “overplay” or “over sing” when you’re not fighting to hear yourself. Since I can hear everything better and cleaner I am not distracted by technology, but able to focus more on leading and worshiping. I’m excited for the next few weekends. I’ve been reflecting on the past weekend and hoping to lead more effectively in our next worship service.