2015 Renewal Conference Music Schedule

Revival week music:

Wed, 12/31 (New Year's Eve) 

& Sun night, 1/4:

Choirs Alpha & Omega

Wed, 1/7: Youth Choir

Thurs, 1/8: Small Group & Signing song

Fri, 1/9: Choir Omega 

Here We Grow! 2015 In Focus

Music is fundamental to a Pentecostal service. We use the phrase, "We don't need music," at times in efforts to encourage people to not lean on the fleshy side of the entertainment music gives. But in fact we CAN'T HELP but have music. If there weren't a musical instrument in the building, if there were no designated singers around, I dare say music would be produced regardless. Because the joy of the Lord causes a song to burst forth from a thankful heart. Even prayer carries a sing-song quality to it. We may not need rehearsed music. But the presence of our God calls music out of us. Period. 

Perhaps there will come a new day, a new culture which prefers a more "earthy" or "organic" form of music in  worship services, where missed chords and sharp or flat voices will be an asset rather than a distraction. But today's culture definitely is used to quality. Be the genre unplugged, straight from a campfire, or be it highly produced, techno pop. Even the most remote villages in third world nations know what our world's highest quality of music sounds like. 

In the church, we do not strive to produce our best quality because we're egomaniacs. We do so because we have ONE goal: to draw people to Christ. In our culture where television has made it acceptable to criticize so publicly a performer's best work through shows such as The Voice, or America's Got Talent, etc. We must be vigilant to be on our toes giving our best so that their ear can relax in our best sound. Our best sound softens the listener's spirit to be receptive to the gospel we share. 

We do not strive for betterment because we're professional entertainers. We strive for our best because we are professional fishers-of-men. We do not sing the purest notes, or learn the tightest licks because we're ego-driven, but because we are harvest-driven.

I have made a heightened effort in the last five years to perfect what we have. That is, to put people to work in the areas I see as their strong points. I try to push people to get better via personal discipline. And you have all risen to the occasion with me. When God brings someone to my attention, there's no amount of explanation that will convince me that they cannot do what I ask them to try.  I don't need people to have self-confidence, I merely need trust and willingness. I don't need self-promoters, I need team-promoters. When you are absent, your group feels the loss. When we wing-it without practicing it, the audience feels it. Together, for a cause bigger than ourselves, will always strive to keep quality and unity at its best.

There will be some new methods of learning material this year that will feel more like a worship concert than a traditional choir practice. In those "concerts" I hope to give people some opportunities to bless us through their gifts of art; be that singing, or playing, or drawing, etc. We will be doing more outdoor concerts with our new street meeting stage. But from the rehearsals, to the great outdoors, to the regular worship services, we can never underestimate the importance of rehearsal & unity.

I love the music people of Souls Harbor so insanely much!! God has given me great excitement and enthusiasm to climb to another level. Let us rise to this occasion together, as one, in 2015.

The 4th Thursday of every month is set-aside as our new material rehearsals. It would be very helpful for you to plan around those dates. If you have a trip or appointment, or something unavoidable causing you to miss it, it would be appreciated if you touched base with me, letting me know if you'll be absent. And of course, continue your personal responsibility to get a replacement when you'll be gone.

The dates in this pic are extremely important. They're not inclusive of our traditionally important rehearsals for TtF prep, etc. Those rehearsals still exist. But these are newbies and trial runs. Please regard them. 

Temporal Vision of Our Spiritual Reality

Somebody posted this YouTube video today of Israeli soldiers dancing and singing, "We have no one to rely upon except our Heavenly Father." (Or so the caption reads. I trust it.) 

I've grown up imagining what it was like to be there when they shouted the walls of Jericho down, or blew trumpets before battle with Gideon, or sang before battle with Jehoshaphat. Here's LEGIT Israeli praise & worship before going into battle. Wow.

They do it to fight with bombs & guns (poor things.)

Let us never forget that our job in leading praise and worship in the congregation is JUST AS SERIOUS.

It is our responsibility to lift the abilities of our God up high so that HE can be remembered. When we do our job properly, people battling addictions, spiritual wickedness, discouragement, illness, and more, will see, hear, and remember that their God is ABLE to see them through.

WE HAVE NO ONE TO RELY UPON EXCEPT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

...and might I add, we do not need anyone or anything else to rely upon. He does all things well! 

My heart hurts for every death caused by earthly wars. But I'm thankful to have this reminder of my spiritual job. You're job & mine is to raise our hands, or link our arms, or dance, or run, and LIFT OUR VOICE. 

Walls will crumble when we shout unto God with a voice of triumph! 

Click here for the video of Israeli soldiers singing and dancing in preparation for battle.

I love leading praise and worship with you all! You are such determined, exuberant people. We are truly blessed at Souls Harbor! 

~Denée

Choir Alpha: Bam!

Choir Alpha started the Summer music season off with a bang! Thank you singers and musicians. It's a lot of work to lead people into the confidence and strength to worship and praise. But you did well!

It was also wonderful to have Amanda Sears back after the birth of Jace. I was surprised to see her tonight after she was also in service this morning. But she said, "I need church!" I'm glad for that kind of commitment.

It's quite fun to welcome Chris Jeter into Sunday night music!

I could see, hear, and feel the support & praise-leading from Choir Omega in the audience tonight. Choir Alpha, a precedent has been set for you! :)

Thank you, Souls Harbor music department! I look forward to watching the archive of tonight. And I look forward to leading worship with Choir Omega in a couple of weeks.

(Next Sun night is dismissed to celebrate Father's Day.)

fearless leader,

Denée

Choir Name Change

We have been "Choir A" and "Choir B" for a couple of years. It simply seemed like the easiest way to denote two choirs. However, I have a pastor-friend who has teased me for quite a while about how cruel I am to have "B" singers. I have defended the choir-names with, "They know they're not the lesser singers." But kid-on he does.

So then I started contemplating names. But once his joke was planted the names seemed like competitive "sports-like" names.

Choirs Eagle & Hawk.

Choirs Panther & Shark.

No, no, no.

I have been in a quandary whilst the actual choir members do not know, and likely have never cared. (I'm much more impressionable than I let on. Obviously.)

So, out of nowhere genius struck;

Choir Alpha

Choir Omega

Gloria santo! (Yes. I type Greek & Spanish. My thumbs are multilingual.)

Why, it's a description of our Creator himself! They are names that act as perfect bookends, holding everything together in such a solid, stately manner. Oh, joy! I have seen the light & found the way!

Therefore, from henceforth, & hitherto thou shalt be known as Choir Alpha & Choir Omega, or periodically "Choir A" and "Choir O."

Tada! :) 

Disney's Platform Standards

Tonight I found a link that revealed some rules Disney employees must follow. To me, Disney is the measuring stick for customer satisfaction. It's a very pricey experience, but it's true that you get what you pay for. When you have a Disney experience it's rare that it's a negative one.

The simple truth is that "those picky rules" make for a magical day.

In our music department our goal goes from the fantasy of magic to the reality of the miraculous. And "those picky rules" are important to our reaching the goal of the supernatural.

How & why? Because obedience & unity are spiritual. Therefore, when we bring ourselves into step with the pre-ordained rules & regulations designed by leaders with pure intention to create an atmosphere of faith, God's favor is the result. When, however, we cheat the system, or skirt the details of the rules, there is but one bottom-line result: distrust. If one choir member can't depend on the other to be present, if one seems to "get away" with something, if one seems to carry the weight of promptness or attendance, and so forth; there's an inability to feel strength in numbers. Instead it feels as if you're alone in your attempts. That gets wearisome & eventually feels like more than one should bear. Distrust among the body is as crippling to the miraculous as distrust toward God. You will not have faith toward God if you do not have faith in his body. Each one must give each other the ability to have faith and trust that we're all stepping up to the bat and giving it our BEST shot, not a half-hearted tag in.

After reading some of these Disney rules I don't feel nearly so bad about our platform standards. We actually have an eternal reason for our efforts.

Thank you, Disney employees, for following the Disney standards and making a consistent magical experience. 

And THANK YOU, Souls Harbor music department, for following the Biblical standards and making a consistent miraculous experience.

Sustenance!

My favorite survival tool when I travel to speak at conferences is Emer-gen-C. 1,000mg of Vitamin C, accompanied by a host of energizing B vitamins! And though they have that "health-food" taste, they're not too gross. They're carbonated. The instructions say to add the powdered mix to 4-6oz of water. I prefer adding it to a smaller amount of water (about an inch or two of water at the bottom of a bottle) then chugging quickly.

I hope it helps you all feel energized and healthy during the conference!

-Denee

PS: BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE SOUND OF YOUR FEET ON THE STAIRS TO THE MUSIC OFFICE.

Footsteps are magnified in the auditorium. 

TtF, 2014, Service Schedule

As usual... Subject to change according to the flow of the Holy Ghost. 

THURS, 7:30pm  

Music Name of the Lord Is Great

Music It's In Jesus

Intro YM Joe Campetella

YM Terrell Dickson

Music View That Holy City

Announcements Joe Campetella

Offering Joe Campetella

Offering Music He Restores

Intro Sr

Sr Minister David Bernard

FRI, 10:00am

Intro Sr Pastor Jason

Sr Minister Bill Davis

FRI, 11:40am Music: UGST

Music

Intro YM Daniel Autrey

YM Ethan Vaught

Music

Intro YM Daniel Autrey

YM Jonathan Hernandez

Announcements Daniel Autrey

Offering Daniel Autrey

Offering Music

Intro Sr

Sr Minister David Bernard

FRI, 7:30pm

Music All In His Hands

Music Days of Elijah

Intro YM Ryan Crossley

YM Zac Klinedinst

Music Praise Raze

Announcements Ryan Crossley

Offering Ryan Crossley

Offering Music Total Praise

Intro Sr

Sr Minister Doug Klinedinst

SAT, 10:00am

Intro Sr Pastor Jason

Sr Minister Doug Klinedinst

SAT, 11:40am Music: H20 Choir

Music

Music

Intro YM

YM Jesse Scroggins

Music

Intro YM

YM Jeremiah Klinedinst

Announcements

Offering

Offering Music

Intro Sr Minister

Sr Minister Daniel Davy

SAT, 6:00pm

Music You Are Good

Music Your Presence Is Heaven

Intro YM Daniel Dagan

YM Justin Reagan

Announcements Daniel Dagan

Offering Daniel Dagan

Offering Music Thou Oh Lord

Intro Sr Minister

Sr Minister Bill Davis

SUN, 2:00pm

Music He's Been Good

Music Good To Me

Announcements/Guests

Offering

Offering Music God Roar

Intro Sr Minister

Sr Minister Greg Godwin

Uniform for TtF

SATURDAY NIGHT IS UNIFORM NIGHT!

Girls, solid black. No accent color. (I don't care what color shoes you wear.) 

Guys, solid black jacket, pants, with a white button up shirt, solid black tie.

not a bowtie. (I don't care what color socks or shoes you wear.)

TtF, 2014, Choir Seating

ALTOS

TENORS (Alto side)

TENORS (Soprano side)

SOPRANO

Welcome!

I've created this blog for the purpose of keeping us in tempo; getting info to the music department of Souls Harbor.

As I type we are in preparations for Touch the Future, 2014. This means I've got new seating charts, service schedules, & who knows what other information to convey. But I'll put it all here so we'll have a central place to access it, from a mobile device or desktop.

Perhaps over time you'll find articles about vocal care, or videos of various musical styles I want you to hear. The possibilities are limitless!

So, bookmark this page (or save it to your homescreen, or however you want to store it for future use.) Of course, I'll text the link when I add anything of importance.

I love the music department of Souls Harbor in great, big, heaping bucketloads!

-Denee Richardson