In Him is Our All
Notes From My Church-I Will Sing of Your Great Love
PLACE: Lakewood Church-Houston, Tx
Joel Osteen, Pastor
DATE: Saturday, March 17, 2007
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
THE MUSIC: Praise and worship was led this week by Cindy, Steve and Da’dra. One of the first songs performed was “Say So”. Not sure who the writer of this song is, but the audience loved it. On the chorus of the song that said, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so”, the audience participated by pumping their fists in the air. It was a fun song to sing on the same accord with so many people.
Next up was Israel and New Breed’s “Still Standing”, Lakewood’s “I Will Sing” and Hillsong’s “The Stand”. “Still Standing” is on Israel’s Live in South Africa CD and is one of my absolute favorites. I love the lyrics because it speaks of God’s goodness and mercy being the reason for surviving the trials of life. Get the CD if you can. You will most definitely be blessed. Other songs sung were Hillsong’s “Salvation is Here” and “The Stand” (sung by Fiona Millett).
Praise and worship is such a special and wonderful time to spend with God. I love the songs that are sung by Lakewood because the lyrics are always so meaningful and the excellence and talent of the worship leaders, band and choir are the icing on the cake. The audience stands and participates during the entire 35 minutes of worship. It is a wonderful feeling to look around and see everyone on their feet giving God praise.
THE MESSAGE:
Scripture Reference: James 1:5, Psalm 139:16, Luke 7, John 6:12
Subject: Making Miracles Out of Our Mistakes
Sermon Synopsis: Pastor Joel spoke about turning your mistakes around and seeing yourself how God sees you. He said a negative past does not disqualify you from the bright future that God has in store for you. It is important to learn to receive God’s mercy. When you receive God’s mercy you are saying that you believe that God has great things for your life. God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for those whose heart is right. Pastor Joel said that so many people focus on past mistakes. God never gives up on us. His blessings are irrevocable and He always gives us another chance.
Joel advised that we should let go of the past and be the best that we can be today. The debt has already been paid. Receive God’s mercy and know that He wants us to succeed. Remember that you are the apple of God’s eye and his prize possession. He said that we should get rid of the guilty and unworthy feelings.
Where you are right now is not a surprise to God. He does not require that we have a perfect performance. He requires that our heart be right. God is more concerned about our future than our past. Go to God with the broken pieces in your life and He will make something out of it. Stay in faith and keep your heart right and God will use it to your advantage.
**Of course, this is only a very short summary of Pastor Joel’s sermon. To get the full effect you can watch this service and other archived services at http://www.lakewood.cc/ or http://www.joelosteen.com/.
THE ATMOSPHERE: Just thinking that Lakewood is all about encouragement and hope. Every week we hear from Pastor Joel about keeping our hopes up, being a victor not a victim, magnifying God and not our problems and not allowing past mistakes to keep us from God’s perfect will for our lives. When you come to Lakewood or watch on television or the internet, this is the feeling you will get. Hope is what we all need more of, and you will certainly get it at Lakewood.
……..and that is what happened in my church this week. What was it like in your church this week? The entire universe is filled with God’s love and grace. We would love to hear about your church service. Post a comment or e-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com and tell us all about the music, the message and the atmosphere at your church.
A very special thanks to our reader from New Life Free Methodist in Endicott, NY for letting us know what happened in her church this week! We love hearing from our readers. Thanks for taking the time to write!
Dominique
Notes From My Church-3/4/07
PLACE: Lakewood Church-Houston, Tx
Joel Osteen, Pastor
DATE: Sunday, March 4, 2007
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
THE MUSIC: Da’dra’s back!! I’ve really missed her beautiful voice and the heart for worship that she brings to the praise team. It was great to see her back on the stage with her brother Steve. The remainder of the worship team was rounded out by Cindy. Israel was spotted in the audience during service and chatting it up with choir members before service began. His live concert was scheduled for later that day. My husband went and he said it was wonderful. He was really excited by a song by one of the bishops entitled, “Tomorrow About This Time Things Are Going to Change.”
Worship began with Martha Munizzi’s “Glorious”, followed by Israel’s “Again I Say Rejoice” and “Open the Eyes of My Heart”. Next up was “Great in Power”, “How Great is Our God” and “I Will Love You”.
I absolutely loved the next song. Have you every experienced something where you did not know what to pray or what to say or do? If so, you can totally relate to this next song. The name of the song was “Say The Name”. The lyrics tell us to just say the name of Jesus when words fail us. The part of the song I really like said, “when you don’t know what else to say/when you can’t find the words to pray/say the name.” There is power in just simply saying the name of Jesus.
It was impressed upon me quite a while back that the lyrics of a song are very important. When we are enjoying the melody, the music or the singers delivery we should pay special attention to the lyrics that are being sung. Does the song encourage, speak life or praise God? I love all the songs that are performed at Lakewood because they all celebrate the goodness of God, encourage, and lift up all who listen.
The last song was Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” sung beautifully by Lori Vance. I liked it! She did an awesome job and the audience loved it.
THE MESSAGE:
Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:34, 1 Kings 17:8-9, Psalm 133
Subject: Divine Location
Sermon Synopsis: Pastor Joel spoke about our blessings being tied to a specific location. He said that God has a place of victory for all of us but it was up to us to find that location. Staying in God’s perfect will should be our highest priority in life. We should ask ourselves if we are experiencing peace and fulfullment. Pay attention to what you feel deep down inside.
Pastor Joel said that sometimes a brook will dry up or a season in your life will be over. You have to be willing to follow what is next in your life. Sometimes God will lead us to things that we don’t agree with. We don’t understand, but God is trying to get us to our place of victory.
He mentioned getting under good leadership. He said that there are thousands of churches with pastors that have hearts of gold. He advised that you should be faithful wherever you are planted.
Once a month a part of the service is set aside for dedication of the children. Victoria spoke this month on being a safe place for our children and letting them know that we are praying for them. She said that God will give us wisdom to speak to our children in the way that they can hear. She advised that parents should speak blessings over the lives of their children and let them know they care. We should make our kids business our business. We should know who their friends are and know what is going on in their lives.
**Of course, this is only a very short summary of Pastor Joel’s sermon. To get the full effect you can watch this service and other archived services at http://www.lakewood.cc/ or http://www.joelosteen.com/.
THE ATMOSPHERE: This week I attended the Sunday 11:00 service instead of my normal Saturday service. The atmosphere was certainly different. Saturdays are more laid back and intimate and there are not as many people.
The Sunday service seemed to explode with activity. First of all, the sanctuary was just about full. And totally full is 16,000 people! That is a lot of people. You can believe I was holding on tight to my little ones after I picked them up from children’s church. I did lose sight of my youngest at a Lakewood event once. I was able to find him quickly before he got too far, but it was not a good feeling.
This Sunday we had a heckler in the audience. He stood up right before Pastor Joel was to begin his message. Pastor Joel was very composed and handled the situation very well. After the security team got everything under control he commented, “You have to understand that things like that roll off me like water off a ducks back.” This immediately put everyone at ease and he was back to his sermon like nothing happened. I was a little shaken, but to see him so calm helped me to calm down.
……..and that is what happened in my church this week. What was it like in your church this week? The entire universe is filled with God’s love and grace. We would love to hear about your church service. Post a comment or e-mail me at dominique@1800gospel.com and tell us all about the music, the message and the atmosphere at your church.
Dominique
Gospel Music News!
2. Tramaine Hawkins is back on the scene with her new CD entitled “I Never Lost My Praise”.
3. Gospel legend Rev. Howard “Slim” Hunt of Slim and the Supreme Angels died on February 25, 2007. Slim and the Supreme Angels was signed to Malaco records and were well known in gospel music. One particular song I remember from them was “Death & The Beautiful Lady.” It was a popular song on Houston’s radio stations. He was a Grammy Award nominee and received a Stellar Gospel Music Award.
4. Get information on Arizona Dranes, the blind Pentecostal piano player who inspired everyone from Mahalia Jackson to Jerry Lee Lewis.
5. The 2007 Gospel Music Industry Round-Up Magazine is available for purchase.
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