Intro -- Michele A. from Waldorf, Maryland

[mfavrick]

Hello! My name is Michele A., and I'm one of two people who lead the Praise Team at Grace Brethren Church in Waldorf, Maryland. I'm happy to have discovered this forum and have already found the discussions to be interesting and helpful.

My role as Praise Team leader is from the piano and the administrative side of things is new to me. I do the planning and lead the practices, and someone else actually leads the worship on Sunday mornings. Although we have used both hymns and contemporary songs for a while now, this summer we are transitioning into a more blended style of service where things flow from one to the other throughout the service instead of everything being "announced." For us this means figuring out how hymns and praise songs can fit together throughout the service in a way that encourages everyone in the congregation. We are still finding our way through.

I am looking forward to learning much from this community.

Thanks,
Michele A.

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

Welcome to TWC, Michelle. Glad you found us. You have come to a good place to get answers to your questions and encouragement that you will need.Lots of good stuff here.
Tom

[jane41]

Welcome Michele! I am also new here. I lead worship in a non-denominational church, but i was raised in a Baptist church. So no matter how great the latest contemporary worship songs are, every now and then i just have to throw in a hymn. They actually go together quite well, though i have to be honest and admit that we do a more updated version of the hymns, while staying true to it at the same time. Here's an example of what i'm talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTshegg5Lg

We actually did this song and it went quite well. Just make sure that your hymn goes along in theme with your other song choices. And to be fair, there are times when certain hymns are powerful just the way they are, so i like to leave those alone. Just don't be wary of trying different things. Ask your band members what they think. They'll tell you if it's working or not.

God's blessing to you! -jane41

[EdFuchsMusic]

Welcome Michele,
I'm glad you found this place and I hope that you enjoy the discussions, and that this place would be one of encouragement and blessing.