Celebration!

For Saturday, February 8, 2025:

Exodus 14:31 NLT: “When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”

Humans are fickle. One minute they think that God is the greatest thing ever, and the next they forget about him. For all that God had done – all the plagues and now their journey out of Egypt – some Israelites were still wishy-washy about the Lord. But now, with the parting of the Red Sea and all the Hebrews escaping to the other side, but the Egyptian army being crushed by the returning water, the fence sitters were convinced. God had been extremely good to the Jews and all were amazed!

When God has been that good, the proper response would be to exalt the Lord, to lift up his name. Praise and worship are the order of the day, and that’s just what they did. The people of Israel gathered and sang hymns, but that wasn’t enough for Miriam the prophet, Moses and Aaron’s sister. She grabbed a tambourine and led the women as they sang and danced even more before the Lord.

While that celebration was good, we should all be celebrating the Lord every day. God deserves praise and worship whether or not he has done anything spectacular. He is still God, the creator of everything in the universe. He is our creator, our Father in heaven. So grab your tambourine and sing a song to the Lord today! Dance if you’re so inclined!

Psalm 150:3-5 “Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Sing To the Lord!

For Wednesday, October 9, 2024:

Jeremiah 20:13 NLT: “Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For though I was poor and needy, he rescued me from my oppressors.”

Jesus can rescue you from physical, earthly problems, like being poor and needy. And Jesus can stifle your oppressors and buy you some breathing room. If you trust in Jesus, he can also solve your spiritual dilemmas, freeing you from sin and preparing a place for you in the hereafter. That’s why he deserves our praise and worship!

So let’s wrap up our discussion of worship. Q: Are you singing TO the congregation, or leading so that THEY can sing songs of praise? I was taught to maintain 2 different song lists, one for each of those categories. The songs we LEAD – that the congregation sings – are the ones we use in our church service, like hymns in traditional worship. Songs that we sing TO the congregation are used as pre-service walk-in music, offertory, sermon support and exit music. A sermon support song is about a specific topic, reinforcing the message and scripture for the day.

All our music for church should be the best that it can be. We strive for excellence, but keep in mind that there’s a fine line between striving for excellence and OCD. Some days things will go better than others. That’s gonna happen. The important thing is that everyone tries, that everyone gives 100%. After all, this is for the Lord! If everyone tries their best and the performance doesn’t work out, I don’t chew anybody out. That performance is over – it’s history! After all, they gave their best. But next time we hit the platform, we will again give it our best, and it will go better!

As we’re rehearsing music, making suggestions and corrections, someone always comments, “It’s not a show.” True, but we have a program to lead, and it starts at 10AM! (Insert your own number.) People will be coming in, and newcomers will be getting their first impression of our church, and as the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression! As we present Jesus to everyone present, we need to make a strong, positive presentation, creating the impression that we’re happy to be there and that we’ve really got it together. We’re praying that newcomers like what they see, and that they would want to become a part of our church family.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Joyful Noise!

For Tuesday, October 8, 2024:

Psalm 100:1 ESV: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!”

We continue our discussion of worship today. The question often comes up concerning in which key the song should be sung. The key doesn’t matter as much as the range of the melody. If we’re asking people to sing along, as worship leaders we need to make sure that’s possible!

Churches missed the boat on this one for years! Hymnals are written SATB – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The soprano melody would be too high for most people to sing. And most of the congregation doesn’t actually read music, so the harmony parts don’t count for much. Nowadays, most of us use contemporary worship music, so let’s look at that.

Most women will prefer an alto range. Soprano gets way too high for most, just as second alto is far too low. Similarly, male voices prefer a baritone range, not a high tenor or a basement bass. If we look at a treble clef staff (with men singing an octave lower), there’s really only one good octave of singable notes for everyone, from Bb to Bb. Below that, many people bottom out of range. Above that, women switch from chest voice to head voice, which is like falsetto for men. The tone can change drastically, and some women simply can’t go there. Most men can sing a bit higher, but they’re pushing, kind of shouting, which works for a lead singer on stage. But most men in a congregation won’t sing that hard. It matters not if a male or female is leading the song on the platform. It deserves to be in a congregation-singable key.

Settle on musician-friendly keys. Move things a half-step up or down if it makes sense. For example, B major has 5 sharps, which is just asking for mistakes. A half-step up would be C, a key with no sharps or flats and can be played in first position on a guitar. Down a half-step would be Bb, the most common key if you have a horn section. Try to simplify things so everyone on your team can easily do their best.

I’ve noticed a lot of songs lately that start with the singer croaking out low tones in the basement range, barely able to sing. Then later the melody jumps up an octave, which sounds great and adds energy to the performance. I really like that, but I’m not a fan of the ragged performance at the beginning. Just my opinion. Not only can’t the singers sing it very well that way, but the congregation doesn’t stand a chance!

God gave each of us unique gifts and talents. Recognize that your talents may be different from the next person’s. So it’s not only OK, but also a good idea to adjust things to fit your team’s skills. That’s good leadership. When we offered our personal services to our worship teams, none of us signed up to join a Chris Tomlin cover band. (Insert name of your favorite Christian group.) We each have our own level of talent, our own style and our own personality. So let YOUR gifts shine through, so that your worship team can be the best that it can be!

Put your God-given resources to use! A little more on worship tomorrow!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Reverence & Joy!

For Friday, October 6, 2023:

Psalm 93:5 GNT: “Your laws are eternal, Lord, and your Temple is holy indeed, forever and ever.”

As Christians, the words, “for ever and ever,” just roll off our tongues. But let’s stop for a minute and think about what we’re saying. God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – created everything, and I do mean everything. He created the planet on which we stand, and the solar system that contains it. Plants and animals – rivers and oceans – even human beings – God created it all! He existed before mankind, and he’ll be here long after we’re gone – for ever and ever – that’s God!

God also taught us right from wrong. God is steadfast in his ways, and gave us a conscience so we’d instinctively know when we erred.

The place where we worship is holy, and worship should balance reverence with joy. In ancient days, they played musical instruments, sang the psalms and danced for joy, all the while honoring the Lord!

What happens at your church?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sing a New Song!

For Thursday, August 17, 2023:

Psalm 98:1 NLT: “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!”

God is good. To redeem mankind, he emerged victorious over Satan, Put another way, believers are the beneficiaries of God’s victory over the Devil.

Therefore the right thing to do would be to prioritize our worship of the Lord. Prioritize our gratitude. Too often our worship words lack heartfelt meaning. We show up at the same church and say the same prayers, never giving a thought to what the words actually mean. We sing hymns together, concerned with pitch and cadence, forgetting that they’re actually prayers or statements of devotion set to music. The next time you say The Lord’s Prayer, recite it slower, taking time to reflect on what each stanza actually means.

God is encouraging us to go out on a limb, to try something new. Sing a new song, pray a new prayer. Improvise something from your soul. Let your spirit praise God’s spirit, so your worship isn’t just the same-old same-old.

God doesn’t take you for granted, and we shouldn’t take God for granted.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sing a New Song!

For Sunday, July 30, 2023:

Psalm 98:1 TLB: “Sing a new song to the Lord telling about his mighty deeds! For he has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness.”

This is Sunday, the day most Christians gather for worship, and this psalm is suggesting that we sing a new song, that we praise God in a new way. We just need to remember that doing so is never about the song or the worship style. Worship is about lifting up the name of the Lord, exalting Him for his wisdom and for taking good care of us!

In the original language, there’s a hint that this is talking about the future. The “mighty victory” could be a reference to Jesus taking away the sins of the world. It could be about rescue, about redeeming mankind, about making a place for us in the life after this life.

Sin and Satan are bad, but God is Good. That’s why we praise him!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Joyful!

For Sunday, February 21, 2021

Psalm 100:2 CEV: “Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord!”

I have always believed that worship should be joyful, celebratory, something we enjoy, something that we look forward to. God loves me and I love the Lord, and we should both truly enjoy our time together!

Worship should never be reduced to a duty or a burden. The original word signifies a glad shout! Joy is in keeping with God's nature, his acts, and the gratitude we should possess because of his great mercy.

The Anglican Book of Common Prayer calls this scripture the Jubilate Deo: “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.”

Our happy God should be worshiped by happy people! (Spurgeon)

Blessings and safety on this day of worship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Psalms 149 - Sing a New Song!

July 9, 2018 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song of praise when his loyal people meet!” Psalms 149:1b CEV

How should we offer worship to the Lord? Psalm 149 gives us several options.

It’s OK to offer a ‘new’ song to the Lord once in a while. While there’s nothing wrong with the old songs, God gave the gift of creativity to those talented and trained in music, and he delights when that gift is put into motion.

Many traditional hymns were written for classical organ. Nowadays a lot of churches have a contemporary worship band and singers. Either is OK, and neither is better than the other; they’re just different ways of praising the Lord. By the way, the pipe organ hadn’t yet been invented when Jesus walked the earth.

We’re told to “Celebrate and worship.” v5b I’ve always believed that worship should be a celebration, should be fun, should be something we look forward to. Bring your harp and your tambourine – let’s dance for the Lord! v3

See you at church!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, July 15, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Van Dickerson continues our study in Hebrews.

Psalms 98 - Jubilant Gratitude

June 19, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Psalms 98:1a NIV

We ask God to help us; we pray. God answers our prayers, showering us with his blessings. I’m amazed each day at the good things God drops into our lives! Knowing God gives us hope and fills us with the joy of the Lord.

Therefore we rightfully should show gratitude for all God has done. Pray. Shout! Share the Good News with others! Sing a new song to the Lord. If you play a musical instrument, learn to make music for the Lord. Ask your friends to play with you. Accompany any of the Psalms, or write your own words praising God. Then it will be a new song!

“Shout with joy, burst into jubilant song; make music with singing, harps, trumpets and blasts of the ram’s horn!” from Psalms 98:4-6 Nowadays we include guitars, keyboards, and percussion!

The Bible says that Jesus will return to rule the earth. Pray for him to return quickly. He will do much better than any government!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla brings the message, guest worship leader David Boeltl.

Psalms 96 - Sing a New Song!

June 05, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song.” Psalms 96:1a NIV

Since I’ve helped lead worship in churches for over 20 years, the beginning of Psalm 96 holds special meaning for me – and perhaps for you too!

From this verse, I believe that God encourages creativity. While there’s nothing wrong with the old song we’ve sung a hundred times, God wants us to stretch out a little – try something new.

Check out if there’s a different style of music, perhaps a new rhythm that could serve as a bridge to help the next generation connect with the God of their fathers.

Remember that while the genre of music can change, the theology never changes. God is amenable to a variety of musical styles, but unbendable when it comes to the law, which is a good thing. We can take God at his word – we can trust God. His ‘yes’ means yes, and his ‘no’ means no. God is truth, and God does not have alternative facts.

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.” (v11a)

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 11, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. This week, Jesus meets the woman at the well, she gathers up a congregation, and Jesus holds church right there! See you all on Sunday!