Rehearsal Companion Journey of Faith Study/Rehearsal Companion Created by Craig Adams
OVERVIEW LifeWay Worship Music Group is delighted to offer this study/rehearsal companion to you and your choir as you prepare to minister to your church and community by presenting, Journey of Faith, created by Tony Wood and arranged/orchestrated by Phillip Keveren. Your ministry partners at LifeWay Worship Music Group recognize that finding time for rehearsal preparation is often difficult. The varied tasks of the average church minister of music/choir director are numerous and demanding. Thus, it is the aim of the LifeWay team to provide you with supplemental materials that are both timesaving and spiritually enriching. An eight-week rehearsal plan and Bible study have been compiled for you in advance. Rehearsal Plan We have taken the guesswork out of the equation for you! Throughout the developmental creative process, the creators of this musical have taken detailed notes regarding the attainability of each song. As you embrace the work, you will find a proposed teaching strategy, marked by a START HERE suggestion for introducing each piece with a greater sense of ease and promoted singer confidence, as well as an UP FOR THE CHALLENGE suggestion that indicates the section of each piece likely to be the most difficult to learn. Study Guide LifeWay Worship Music Group recognizes that musicality is only a percentage of what is necessary in order to prepare your church choir for ministry each week. For this reason, Scripture references, topical discussion questions, prayer initiatives, and insight from the creators of the work have been compiled in a quick reference format at your immediate disposal. It is the sincere hope and prayer of the creators of this musical that this one-of-a-kind resource will prove to strengthen the preparatory journey for you and your choir. It is the belief of the entire LifeWay Worship Music Group family that better quality preparation yields better quality ministry. May God bless us all as we endeavor to accomplish nothing less!
WEEK ONE FOCUS: Journey of Faith (Overture) Consider This - As the expectant parents of the promised Messiah, Mary and Joseph possessed a measure of faith that is extraordinary. Each year, as we sing the carols, light the tree, and place the nativity scene in its traditional resting place within our homes, we trace the journey of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and kings journey from the visitations by angels to the unassuming birthplace of Jesus in a cattle stall. The story never seems to grow old. Yet, I wonder how many of us have ever stopped to consider the measure of faith that was required of each of these people from the story of the Nativity. Each of them travelled a unique pathway of paradoxes, marked by hope and fear, joy and pain, revelation and mystery, truth and controversy, consecration and doubt. Read - Luke 1:26-38 Ask- Can you imagine what Mary must have been processing as she heard the proclamation from the angel? In the midst of a crisis moment, how does the battle between your head and your heart impact your quest for faith? A Closer Look - at the lyric beginning on pg. 19. Amidst doubt, confusion, longing, wonder, and contemplation, the song of eternity rings out and emboldens faith within the hearts of men. Ask - As you approach this Christmas season, what measure of faith do you possess? What circumstance are you facing right now that would seek to rob you of joy as you sing and celebrate? START HERE - Page 18, Pick-ups to measure 91- O come, all ye faithful UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - The last 3 pages of this piece are expansive in harmonic architecture. Tall vowels and heroic singing will be required.
Ask - Will you ask the Lord to strengthen your faith as we prepare to share this celebration with our community this year? Will you ask Him to incite/grow faith within the hearts of those with whom we will share? TIME TO PRAY - that we will be able to grasp some measure of faith possessed by Mary, Joseph, and all of those who gathered around Jesus manger to worship. SPECIAL NOTE: Bookend moments of any performance are the most important. People will remember the first and last things they ve heard/experienced. Be certain that the opening song is secure and solid! WEEK TWO FOCUS: God Loved the World Consider This - John 3:16 is perhaps the most recognized and quoted passages of Scripture. As an anchor statement of truth and foundational theology, it is memorized by children, carved into pieces of jewelry, recited during the partaking of communion, and even displayed in grandstands during major sporting events. Yet, it is not often read alongside the biblical accounts of Jesus birth, found in the gospels, during the Christmas season. So much is celebrated about Jesus coming to earth that one can easily fail to remember why He came. Read - John 3:16 Ask - As you consider the wonder of the both of Christ, is it difficult to consider that God would plan something so miraculous and wonderful just for you? What makes it so hard to consider? Ask - When one considers the meaning of everlasting life, the promise of heaven and our eventual eternal reign with Christ is what naturally comes to mind. How would you qualify or describe the life yet to come that God has prepared for us?(repentance)
A Closer Look - the second verse to this song, beginning on page 122, at measure 61 Ask - When you consider the birth and death of Jesus, what similarities and contrasts between the manger and the cross can be noted? What can we learn about God s plan for us as we examine each of these places? START HERE - Page 117, measure 24- pick-ups to the chorus; This section occurs two-and-a-half times during this arrangement. So, once you have learned the chorus, you have learned a great portion of the song. (Directors, allow your choir to listen to the entire song before you start rehearsing it. The rhythmic pattern in the chorus is repetitive and learned quickly. After your choir hears it a time or two, you will have little difficulty teaching the rhythm.) UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - Your choir will need to sing with a bit more of a pop sound in order to serve this song well. Spend a few extra minutes encouraging a good tonal center and blend on the verses. Once you land on a unified unison, the choir will make the shift into harmony very easily, all of the while maintaining style and blend. TIME TO PRAY - that the whole of God s plan of salvation will be revealed to all who will celebrate with you as you share this musical. Thank Him for the gift of His Son, for salvation, for redemption, and for the promise of eternal life. WEEK THREE FOCUS: Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated Consider This - Discuss the meaning of consecration. Remember that a number of newcomers in your church family have not experienced church culture for the whole
of their lives. Words that are common within church dialect are often foreign to new believers. Read - Romans 6:16 Ask - What have you found easy to surrender/consecrate to the Lord? Is there anything that you find more difficult to consecrate? What is it and why? A Closer Look - the lyric during the chorus, beginning at the top of page 45, pick-ups t measure 32. Ask- What are you holding onto right now that is keeping you from discovering the fullness of life God wants for you? START HERE - Page 45, pick-ups to measure 32- brand new chorus; this chorus occurs at two different times during the musical and presents an important overarching theme for the whole of the work. Learning it early on will provide for a memorization edge. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - Because of the thematic import of this new chorus, it is essential that it be sung with conviction and passion. It is not musically complex- in fact, it is very straight ahead. Because of it s simplicity and the inclusion of a lot of longer note values, many singers will have a tendency to sing this section without a lot of musicality and/or heart. Don t let your choir go to sleep here! TIME TO PRAY - that God will bring to light the things within your heart that need to be surrendered to Him in order for Him to complete His work in your life. SPECIAL NOTES: The new chorus, Lead Me, Lord, can be an ideal song to introduce to your congregation well before you share this musical with them. Consider using it as a theme chorus for the Christmas season and beyond. It can easily be sung at any time of the year.
WEEK FOUR FOCUS: Sometimes Faith Leads Consider This - Joseph is a man about whom we know very little. We do know that he was a skilled carpenter and that he was visited by an angel with the news that Mary, his betrothed, was going to give birth to the Son of God. The ridicule and scorn he must have endured from family, friends, and onlookers was likely difficult to embrace. Moreover, the reality of becoming the chosen caretaker and provider for God s only Son could not have been anything short of overwhelming. Read - Matthew 1:18-24 Ask - What do you suppose Joseph went through Joseph s mind during all of this? What would your reaction have been, gentlemen? A Closer Look - at Narration 5 on page 66 Ask - Note the word dutifully near the end of this reading. Is a sense of duty something that tends to anchor or motivate people in the current day and age? Cite examples. Has there been a time in your life when God has asked you to go somewhere or do something in particular and you ve resisted due to a lack of faith? If so, what was the result? START HERE - Page 46, pick-ups to measure 19- chorus; The choir sings this chorus three times in this arrangement, accounting for a good portion of the song s duration. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - This song is very theatrical. It makes sizeable shifts in musical style and tone often between sections. It
will, therefore, likely be among the more challenging pieces you will incur within this work. Encourage the men to sing the verses from a somewhat pensive place- creating intrigue and a sense of wonder. In contrast, the ladies should sing the pre-chorus, or channel, each time with a notable sense of expectation and building excitementall of which should spill into a vibrant and upbeat chorus each time. TIME TO PRAY - that the Lord will lead people within your church family and community to a place of faith that results in salvation. Pray that He will reveal to you those places He would have you go- things He would have you do- as you live out your faith in Him. WEEK FIVE FOCUS: Glory to God and Journey of Faith Finale Consider This - It is doubtful that any of us have heard the sound of angels singing. However, angel song is a very big part of the Bethlehem story. Read - Luke 2:8-16 Ask- What is the most wonderful music you ve ever heard? Describe what makes it so special to you. What do you suppose the singing of a myriad of angels sounds like? A Closer Look - at the lyric in the second verse that reads, let your praise ring through the nations. Ask - This sort of thought or expression is fairly common in present day language. Why do you suppose that the song of a host of angels was only heard by a select few? Could there have been something about the shepherds that postured them to hear more clearly than anyone else? Do you suppose that such a small audience was part of God s grand design? Could it be that the song
the angels sang was unfamiliar or unrecognizable to those with little faith? START HERE - Page 26, measure 36- This chorus is recurring within the song and is very easy to learn in only a few moments of teaching. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - Invite the children s choir to rehearse with you often and early in your season of preparation. Contrapuntal singing does not come easily to everyone- especially adults. They will want to watch the kids more than they will want to sing for the first couple of times through. Dive right into the Finale after you ve introduced Glory to God. Your choir will be thrilled to notice that a good bit of the Finale is a reprise of this song. While you have the kids with you for rehearsal, you can get a lot of mileage out of both choirs by practicing both songs within the same block of time. TIME TO PRAY- that the song of angels will stir the hearts of each choir member to sing and celebrate with joy. Pray for peace on the earth to prevail. WEEK SIX FOCUS: Broken Hallelujah Consider This - There are many moments when the circumstances of life make it difficult to find the strength to sing praise to the Lord. Read - Psalm 120:1 Ask - Can you recall a time in your life when you found it difficult to praise the Lord?
Is the Lord removed from our pain or struggle? How, then, should we approach His throne in times of distress? What do you think Mary said to the Lord in her times of prayer? A Closer Look - at Psalm 121 START HERE - Page 61, pick-ups to measure 75 at the top of page 62- This song represents a very pivotal moment within this musical. This final chorus is the apex of the song and needs to be sung with resolve and passion! UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - Choirs don t often see the value of singing oo s and ah s in support of a soloist. However, there is great purpose and intentionality involved in every note. The choir is playing a supportive role that is very carefully complimenting the orchestra. One without the other is simply incomplete. Take time to shape and hone these sections. They are vital. TIME TO PRAY - that God will enable people within your community and church family to understand how much it pleases God when an honest heart comes before Him and acknowledges His sovereignty. SPECIAL NOTES: The soloist you select for this piece will need to be someone of significant skill as a singer and communicator, given the weight of this moment in the course of the musical. WEEK SEVEN FOCUS: Son of God Consider This - There is a moment for us to join the song of angels to sing- and there is a moment that only mankind can own in celebration. Because angels have never experienced salvation in Christ, they cannot share in the song of the redeemed.
Read - Luke 15:10 Ask - This passage informs us that angels reach about our salvation. But only the redeemed can rejoice in it. Do you remember when you were saved? Describe the transformation that occurred when Jesus came into your heart and life. A Closer Look - at the lyric that reads, Men and angels bow and sing. Ask- What can we learn about Jesus when we consider that men and angels bow before Him? START HERE- Measures 33 through 53 will be the most demanding. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE- Heroic singing will be required in order for this arrangement to have ultimate impact. Be careful not to let folks over-sing and lose a sense of musicality or blend. TIME TO PRAY - that God would restore unto us the joy of salvationand that our song of thanksgiving and celebration would bring honor to the name of Jesus. SPECIAL NOTES: This piece is quite thru-composed in nature. You will need to plan for ample time to teach it. The choir is not afforded the luxury of repetition in this song.
WEEK EIGHT FOCUS: Silent Night Consider This - The humble setting for the birthplace of Christ was not likely to seem like much of a sanctuary. However, in this unlikely place to find the King of kings, we find ourselves drawn in by the holy and sacred mystery that surrounds the Bethlehem story. Read- Luke 2:1-7 Ask- As you take your place alongside Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise kings in worship of the Messiah this Christmas, what has the Lord taught you along the journey this season that has changed you or impacted your faith? What noises are there in your life right now that would seek to rob you of joy and peace this season? START HERE - Page 84, measure 39- This second verse contains a bit of unexpected harmony. Getting this under your belt first will give the choir confidence. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE - You will need to work hard to undo any harmonic expectation that has been burned into the memory of each singer. This song is so well-known and is sung so often each year that it brings with it a sense of musical habit/tradition that is not easily reshaped by a fresh arrangement. TIME TO PRAY- that the joy and peace of God will become a reality for all who sing and celebrate in your church as you share this work. Ask God to help you set aside distractions in order to worship Him in spirit and in truth, that He may be glorified.
SPECIAL NOTES: Your choir s performance of this musical will ultimately be enhanced only by the degree of authenticity of your personal prayer life as the director. Ask God for an increased measure of faith to be accomplished in you. Pray for His Spirit to fall upon each rehearsal as you prepare I urge you to pray for your choir and orchestra members daily by name. Ask God to protect, renew, restore, and revive each of their hearts and homes. Pray for the unsaved in your community. Pray that a journey of faith for them might lead them to a manger in Bethlehem, where they can meet Jesus, Messiah, Savior, and begin life anew with Him.