April 24 was the "Commitment Sunday" of our capital campaign. As part of the celebration, in between our two services (8:20 and 11:00) we had a reception at 9:40 followed by a concert at 10 am. It ran to about 45 minutes and about 9 songs. I had the pleasure of mixing the sound and recording the event, and it was wonderful in the extreme.
You want to hear it? I'll send you a CD. Five bucks will cover the cost and the shipping.
Rick Lindholtz
3803 W Lake Houston Parkway
Kingwood TX 77339
Tuesday
A Responsive reading of scriptural praise
It's from Easter 2005, but it would work on any Sunday.
Leader: What a rich and glorious inheritance God has given to his people- the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him - the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.
People: He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.
Leader: Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
People: Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
Leader: It's God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him. It was sin that made death so frightening, and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power.
People: But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three--sin, guilt, death--are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God.
People: We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power.
Leader: Your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.
All: Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Arranged by Rick Lindholtz. Based on Ephesians 1:19-20, Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Romans 1:16, and
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 from “The Message” – a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible
and 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and Ephesians 3:20 from the New Living Translation of the Bible
Leader: What a rich and glorious inheritance God has given to his people- the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him - the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.
People: He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.
Leader: Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
People: Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
Leader: It's God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him. It was sin that made death so frightening, and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power.
People: But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three--sin, guilt, death--are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God.
People: We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power.
Leader: Your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.
All: Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Arranged by Rick Lindholtz. Based on Ephesians 1:19-20, Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Romans 1:16, and
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 from “The Message” – a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible
and 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and Ephesians 3:20 from the New Living Translation of the Bible
Prayer for a heart like Your Heart
This prayer was written to accompany the song "Give me a Heart" by Greg and Pamela Fadness (Maranatha! Music). The song's chorus:
Give me a heart like Your heart, beating for the lost,
Give me a love like your love, no matter what the cost.
Give me a road to travel, a race that I can run,
Give me a heart like your heart, to stand until you come, until you come.
I wrote the prayer not to be spoken out loud, but to be read silently by the congregation as the words gently appear, a phrase at a time, on the screens. It takes about 90 seconds, during which the piano plays softly underneath. When the reading is completed, the chorus of the song is gently reprised.
God, all too often my heart is like stone.
Uncaring.
Cold.
Hard.
Unresponsive to Your voice.
I see the needs of others
for affirmation,
for encouragement,
for hope,
for prayer.
I even desire to respond as You would.
But all too often I become absorbed with my own wants
for attention,
for importance,
for comfort,
for satisfaction.
I hear Your word
through Scripture,
through Your Holy Spirit's voice,
and I long to awaken with joy
to follow after You.
But all too often I heed other voices:
the voice of the tempter,
the voice of the world,
the voice of my own selfish will.
I need a heart like Your heart.
Come to me now, Lord Jesus,
with Your heart of tenderness and compassion,
Your heart that longs to heal me,
to forgive me,
to restore me.
Give me a heart like Your heart.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
Give me a heart like Your heart, beating for the lost,
Give me a love like your love, no matter what the cost.
Give me a road to travel, a race that I can run,
Give me a heart like your heart, to stand until you come, until you come.
I wrote the prayer not to be spoken out loud, but to be read silently by the congregation as the words gently appear, a phrase at a time, on the screens. It takes about 90 seconds, during which the piano plays softly underneath. When the reading is completed, the chorus of the song is gently reprised.
God, all too often my heart is like stone.
Uncaring.
Cold.
Hard.
Unresponsive to Your voice.
I see the needs of others
for affirmation,
for encouragement,
for hope,
for prayer.
I even desire to respond as You would.
But all too often I become absorbed with my own wants
for attention,
for importance,
for comfort,
for satisfaction.
I hear Your word
through Scripture,
through Your Holy Spirit's voice,
and I long to awaken with joy
to follow after You.
But all too often I heed other voices:
the voice of the tempter,
the voice of the world,
the voice of my own selfish will.
I need a heart like Your heart.
Come to me now, Lord Jesus,
with Your heart of tenderness and compassion,
Your heart that longs to heal me,
to forgive me,
to restore me.
Give me a heart like Your heart.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
Monday
off-topic: "Cleopatra Had a Jazz Band"
My friend Brad posted a note on Saturday about an online collection of old sheet music available at The University of Colorado, Boulder. Aha!. Another point of common interest, which leads to a story...
The Kingwood High "Pops Concert" is coming up (May 12-14), a very big event with some 400 kids on stage at one time during the big numbers. ElenaClaire wanted to audition for a solo slot and needed a song. After rejecting a few ideas, I pitched her an old song from 1917 called "Cleopatra had a jazz band". I heard it once about 30 years ago and just always remembered it - memory is a funny thing.) She loved it - where could she get an accompaniment tape and sheet music, she asked. Now I knew I was in trouble. But I did an internet search and found it! Indiana State University has a collection similar to the one Brad found.
I found the song and downloaded the pdf; wrote an arrangement for piano bass and drums on MIDI and recorded it to CD. Alicia gave her some costuming and choreography tips and we both coached her on how to "sell" the song. "Forget the Pops Show", I said. "The performance to be excited about is this one, even though the audience is only 2 directors. Make them enjoy your performance. If they do, they'll want to share their enjoyment with the whole Pops audience."
End of story: She was selected to do a solo on this song, backed by two women's choirs. We've since learned that it's pretty rare for a singer to get a solo for the song she auditioned with, especially as a sophomore.
The Kingwood High "Pops Concert" is coming up (May 12-14), a very big event with some 400 kids on stage at one time during the big numbers. ElenaClaire wanted to audition for a solo slot and needed a song. After rejecting a few ideas, I pitched her an old song from 1917 called "Cleopatra had a jazz band". I heard it once about 30 years ago and just always remembered it - memory is a funny thing.) She loved it - where could she get an accompaniment tape and sheet music, she asked. Now I knew I was in trouble. But I did an internet search and found it! Indiana State University has a collection similar to the one Brad found.
I found the song and downloaded the pdf; wrote an arrangement for piano bass and drums on MIDI and recorded it to CD. Alicia gave her some costuming and choreography tips and we both coached her on how to "sell" the song. "Forget the Pops Show", I said. "The performance to be excited about is this one, even though the audience is only 2 directors. Make them enjoy your performance. If they do, they'll want to share their enjoyment with the whole Pops audience."
End of story: She was selected to do a solo on this song, backed by two women's choirs. We've since learned that it's pretty rare for a singer to get a solo for the song she auditioned with, especially as a sophomore.
Wednesday
A confession in response to the word of God
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Lord, we confess that sin continues to stain the lives we live in this broken world. We fail to love You; we fail to love others with Your love. Our lives do not reflect the grace and glory you planned for us. Please, Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”
Lord, we have heard Your word; You have made us clean. We give You thanks; we offer You our lives in grateful praise.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.”
Lord, too often our lives are cluttered with things that are mere distractions. We fill our lives with the trinkets and toys of our world - things that do nothing to further Your kingdom and the glory of Your name. Please, Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to fill and empower us for Your service.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Lord, we praise you for the confident certainty that You, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Release us now to celebrate Your goodness.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Lord, we confess that sin continues to stain the lives we live in this broken world. We fail to love You; we fail to love others with Your love. Our lives do not reflect the grace and glory you planned for us. Please, Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”
Lord, we have heard Your word; You have made us clean. We give You thanks; we offer You our lives in grateful praise.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.”
Lord, too often our lives are cluttered with things that are mere distractions. We fill our lives with the trinkets and toys of our world - things that do nothing to further Your kingdom and the glory of Your name. Please, Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to fill and empower us for Your service.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Lord, we praise you for the confident certainty that You, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Release us now to celebrate Your goodness.
Monday
Responsive Prayer from Matthew 5
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
Father God, when all my reliable resources fail, when all my self-confidence abandons me, help me then to remember that Your Word is true, and your rule in my life is all I need.
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13, The Message)
Lord Jesus, when I doubt my ability to add flavor to your world, when I lose the vision to connect others to you, remind me then of the flavorful presence of Your Spirit whom you have placed within me.
God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. (Matthew 5:18, The Message)
Holy Spirit, when I question the certainty of what I believe, when I’m unsure of whether I can continue this walk of faith in Jesus, restore me with reassurance in the ancient words of Scripture, for they are Your Word to me – constant and unchanging. Amen.
Scripture portions from "The Message", © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayers © Rick Lindholtz, 2005
Father God, when all my reliable resources fail, when all my self-confidence abandons me, help me then to remember that Your Word is true, and your rule in my life is all I need.
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13, The Message)
Lord Jesus, when I doubt my ability to add flavor to your world, when I lose the vision to connect others to you, remind me then of the flavorful presence of Your Spirit whom you have placed within me.
God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. (Matthew 5:18, The Message)
Holy Spirit, when I question the certainty of what I believe, when I’m unsure of whether I can continue this walk of faith in Jesus, restore me with reassurance in the ancient words of Scripture, for they are Your Word to me – constant and unchanging. Amen.
Scripture portions from "The Message", © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayers © Rick Lindholtz, 2005
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