Band Practice: in Bond Service to God

L-R: Addison, Esther, Daphne, Angel, James

Our church has an amazing group of youth - they are lively, full of life and of joy, eager to go for the Lord and an inspiration to the poorer in spirit.

We had band practice today, and I must say it was one of the best and most enjoyable one I have had in a long time. Trying different arrangements, teaching each other, playfully nudging each other to move along and most of all making music and songs as one voice in adoration for our Lord.

Addison was on the drums, this was the first time he played in my worship lead and I enjoyed his playing tremendously. Angel was on the bass, and even though I could not much hear the bass distinctly, bass being bass, she gave the crucial support for the entire team. Daphne was on the piano. She is one bright pianist. If Randy can say it, so can I: Daphne can play the phonebook, just write in the chords. It is rare to have a team who can just sense how you want it played. I only had to sing, and they will provide the right mood and the right flavour. It was fantastic!

I am going to sing this one song tomorrow, which is new to the church. They did it perfectly well during practice, right from the start. I never had to screw up my face, (as I always do trying to figure out what went wrong, since I am absolutely bad as an arranger, as my old music team will tell you). The song speaks for itself:

Though we are many,
We are one body,
We are one body in Christ,
Though we are many,
We are one body,
We are one body in Christ.

One faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Binding us together in one cord
One hope in the one God
One Father over all

Then I had this sudden bright idea of mixing this song with an old favourite and familiar hymn. I did not know how it will turn out. I was even told during practice that the song was in 4/4 and the hymn in 3/4. But what came out of it in our practice was short of amazing - how the arrangement just came together and how the instruments and the vocals blended in so well. We listened to one another and fitted in together naturally like pieces of a clockwork.

We worshipped the Lord in music and in song of his Amazing Love and his Amazing Grace.

I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Amazing love, how can it be
That You my king would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true
And It's my joy to honour You
In all I do I honour You

You are my King, You are my King
Jesus, You are my King, Jesus, You are my King
You are my King, Jesus, You are my King

We live in Your amazing love Lord, only by Your amazing grace. It is You and You only that matters. We are but Your bond servants, who in service to You, worship and adore You. Use us as You will, for the fulfilment of Your purpose. Amen.

pearlie
Photo © 2008 Pearlie Ng