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Post by torainfor on Jan 31, 2009 17:39:39 GMT -5
After three years of singing backup and, oh, nearly 39 years of dreaming, I have a lead part in worship tomorrow morning. I've got Misty's part (as well as the electric guitar part) in this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fAQJ8pTt7o(You don't have to listen to all of it--but if you listen to 1:55-2:30, you'll see what I'm up against.) ...and I feel miserable. Please pray that I get over this crud, that I don't hyperventilate, that I remember to breathe, and that, no matter what, God is glorified.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Feb 1, 2009 18:46:14 GMT -5
My Prayers go out to you. Oddly enough, I'll be in a somewhat similar situation in a few weeks; although, nowhere near as hard, I imagine.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Feb 3, 2009 8:26:30 GMT -5
How did it go, torainfor?
And Glyn, what are you going to be doing?
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Post by torainfor on Feb 3, 2009 10:21:36 GMT -5
Yeah, CS, what's up?
My heart was pounding, I was achy, I was dizzy, I was all over the place in rehearsal, and I was giving it all over to God. Our leader turned to our (young) bass player and they went through the opening measures a couple of times--and then the leader turned to me. He had played the intro with his back to everyone too long and forgot he was supposed to start. So, he looked at me and started singing my part until I pointed at him and said, "You go first." Suddenly I was completely relaxed. He apologized eight times, even after I told him his gaffe helped me. I got one "I didn't know she could sing," several "I looked at [the two women who stand in front] and then I realized, it's Beth!" and one thorough, merciless, brutal tongue lashing--from Donita. ("I seem to recall someone saying, 'I don't know why they let me sing...'")
Our leader just emailed, saying he wants me to do special music at our next communion service. You (and fam) are welcome to come, if you can tear yourself away from that new preaching pastor.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Feb 4, 2009 8:29:23 GMT -5
Wow, that sounds like it was excruciating and wonderful.
What church is this?
Jeff
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Post by torainfor on Feb 4, 2009 15:35:50 GMT -5
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Post by Christian Soldier on Feb 4, 2009 19:07:18 GMT -5
Hmm... my post didn't.. well, post. Let me try again.
Last Sunday I did what my rank prohibits me from doing: I volunteered. I told my chaplain that I'd like to sing on Sundays. You know, sing WITH the Majer that normally does it, if they thought that they could use me. Boy did his face light up! Then he looks over my shoulder and says, "Isn't it amazing how God provides?" uh oh. "Majer Moses goes on leave in two weeks and we were just wondering who would fill his slot while he was gone" Maj. Moses is the only singer other than me, now. "It's not funny God!". His reply: "Of course it is"So, now that the cat is out of the bag, it's too late to go back and change my mind, so sometime this week Maj. Moses and I are supposed to get together and practice and he's supposed to tell me all that I'm supposed to do. Hopefully they don't ask me to sing Hymns that I don't know while he's gone. I can sing anything, but... well.. I have to have heard it before.
Still, I look forward to this new opportunity to serve my God and to grow, both personally and spiritually. I know that if I hadn't volunteered the way I did, I would have grown bored with going eventually. I can't help it... I have this incredible need to be helpful, as most of you know.
And that's my sad, sad tale.
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Post by torainfor on Feb 4, 2009 22:58:45 GMT -5
That's awesome!
Are you "not allowed" because you're enlisted and the Major's a major? Our worship leader in Hawaii was a senior airman (I think. He might have been a SSgt.) Our trumpet player was a tech sgt. All of the women were married to officers. Our tenor/guitar player/back-up leader was a LtCol. Our chaplain (who sang with us) was a captain. So, yeah, the lowest ranking person was the leader.
I understand fraternization rules are getting tougher. Back in the day, I told my commander that I went to church with some of the enlisted guys in our squadron and, if anyone threw a fit, I was calling freedom of religion. My best friend's married to a staff sgt. My husband's a major. I can't wait until we get to heaven and none of this garbage matters!
God provides. And stretches us so we can provide to others. Be one with your inner Gumby!
I so need sleep...
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Feb 5, 2009 10:57:37 GMT -5
This is terrific, Glyn. You're going to be awesome.
Can you turn it into an "all sing" and just be the song leader instead of the spotlighted soloist? That's what I would do!
Keep us informed, soldier.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Feb 5, 2009 18:54:18 GMT -5
It is an "All Sing"... but most don't. It ends up being a solo with minor accompaniment. Anyhoo, theirs no reason why I wouldn't be allowed anything in this case, it's just awkward. Fortunatly, the Maj. isn't in my unit anywhere, so once I get over the rank I'm good.
Oh, and an update. Apparently, the Major doesn't check his e-mail very often, so I won't be able to get with him this week. I was just starting to look forward to it, too. Ah well, it is as He wills.
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Post by iconoclast on Feb 10, 2009 2:09:47 GMT -5
I can relate to both prayer threads going on here. I'm on a worship team here in Japan for our English fellowship. The guy who does the worship leading as well as guitar went to celebrate his wedding anniversary this past weekend. It was left to me to plan the songs and order that we usually do on Thursdays and I felt his absence, though before he came 2+ years ago I was doing it all by myself. He'll be back this week, but he will be leaving for the US in the summer because his wife has been sent to San Diego.
Our fellowship has a number of service people. Two of them are best friends and they josh each other at church but on ship one is an enlisted and the other a lieutenant and her immediate superior. They are mindful to keep their friendship and duty completely separate. When it comes to doing services on ship the enlisteds lead it (which one of the friends does) and the officers don't volunteer (but the other always attends). As one who's never been in govt or mil I find this distinction interesting to say the least. We had a retreat a few weeks ago with them and the experience was very illuminating and intimate.
CS, keep your confidence in the Lord. He will give you the voice and timbre when the moments come!
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Post by Christian Soldier on Feb 11, 2009 11:13:10 GMT -5
Thank you, everyone. It seems that this won't be a temporary "gig"; although, I may not be solely responsible for the worship period anymore. It seems that my chaplain found a guitar player, so we're due to meet up tomorrow at two PM to discuss the songs and to practice. I plan to have a small list of songs ready and we'll pick from there.
As for the permenancy of it, it seems that the previous worship leader has an aversion to musical instruments(What else are we going to drown out the voices with?), so since we are adding a guitar, we're losing him anyway. It sounds like God is using me in a new and powerful way, and I look forward to seeing where He takes me with it.
Pray for His glory, grace, and His hand keeping me upright and conscious during the service. I think after a week or two I'll be able to do this without psyching myself up for it, first. We'll see.
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Post by torainfor on Feb 11, 2009 14:20:03 GMT -5
CS, if you need music, I have it. Probably over a hundred choruses and hymns with guitar chords (some in a couple of different keys) all in Word. Let me know if you'd like me to email them.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Feb 12, 2009 16:48:59 GMT -5
Great thought, torainfor. Glyn, I too have over a hundred choruses with guitar chords in Word.
I wonder if the former worship leader was Church of Christ. They don't think instruments should be used in worship music, as I understand it.
Jeff
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Post by scintor on Feb 12, 2009 20:22:28 GMT -5
As a lifetime member of the Church of Christ, you are correct. They use acapella only, and consequently are darn good singers. As it is, I have lead singing at Camp Pendleton services, and it can be great!
Mark McDonald AKA Scintor
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