LifeWay Worship Preparation Guide Welcome to Our World You Can! Christmas 2008 Study/Rehearsal Companion created by Craig Adams
OVERVIEW Your ministry partners at LifeWay Worship recognize that finding time for rehearsal preparation is often difficult because varied tasks of the average minister of music/choir director are numerous and demanding. In an effort to provide time-saving, spiritually enriching supplemental materials, we have compiled a six-week rehearsal plan and Bible study for you and your choir as you prepare to minister to your church and community by presenting Welcome to Our World, created and arranged by Craig Adams. Rehearsal Plan We have taken the guesswork out of the equation. 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 that is likely to be the most difficult to learn. Study Guide LifeWay Worship 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. We pray that this one-of-a-kind resource will strengthen the preparatory journey for you and your choir. We believe that better-quality preparation yields better-quality ministry. May God bless us all as we endeavor to accomplish nothing less!
WEEK ONE FOCUS: Come, Emmanuel Medley Consider This: For countless generations, God s children waited and trusted in the prophecy that a Deliverer would one day come and set them free from bondage. Amidst desperate times, the Israelites stared oppression and bondage in the face as they gripped hope with conviction. Life was not easy in those days. As the words of prophets were passed down from fathers to sons and mothers to daughters, it must have seemed to many that Messiah would never come. Read: Micah 5:2 Ask: In what ways is life for us today likened to or different from that of the Israelites before Jesus birth? The return of Christ, the King of eternity, is promised to us: Jesus is coming again! In what ways should our way of living mirror that of the Israelites of old? The arrival of Jesus was in such an unexpected and seemingly unfitting place. Would our world even recognize or acknowledge Him if He came again in such an unimaginable way? Take a Closer Look: Look at the lyric to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Read the verses aloud. Consider This: In this group gathered in this place, there are very real needs. Life is pressing in on all sides for many of us. At times, illness, loneliness, financial stress, broken relationships, temptation, and much more can surround us and cover us with darkness. START HERE: At the very beginning! (Seems fitting, doesn t it?) The first 40 measures are largely unison and will give the choir a sense of immediate confidence. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Page 8, pick-up to measure 44 through measure 64, the melody of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and the lyric of Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Ask: As we press into this season of celebration and embrace the Christmas story once again, what do you need God to do for you? What dark area of your life is in need of the light of Heaven to break through and bring hope, peace, joy, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing or deliverance? TIME TO PRAY Take a moment and invite Christ to reveal Himself to you at the manger of your heart this year. Make this your own prayer: Come, Emmanuel. Change my heart. Restore me. Renew me. Make my heart Your home. SPECIAL NOTE: In terms of communication principles, the very first and last things stated are the most important. Encourage your choir to embrace the bookend moments of this musical ( Come, Emmanuel Medley and Newborn King Medley ) with great enthusiasm.
WEEK TWO FOCUS: Behold Emmanuel Consider This: Scripture tells us that angels announced the birth of Jesus. Just imagine what the news must have sounded like to the shepherds on nearby hillsides. Heaven erupted with the sounds of eternity as they proclaimed Messiah s birth. Read: Luke 2:8-12 Ask: What do you think the shepherds experienced that night? How must they have felt? Take a Closer Look: Look at the lyric to the chorus of Behold Emmanuel (meas. 59-88). Ask: What must it have been like for the angels to get a first glimpse of the Son of God in human form? We can imagine the wonder and love that filled the hearts of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds as they heard Jesus first cries in the night and saw His tiny hands and feet stretching out of a bed of straw. But what about the angels? For them, this must have been the ultimate paradox! They had experienced the presence of the Father firsthand and must have been puzzled to find such an all-powerful and mighty King take on such a lowly estate. START HERE: Page 20, measure 59 through measure 88. This is the chorus and, although it is likely unknown by anyone in your choir, it will feel instantaneously familiar to them. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Pick-up to measure 43 through measure 58, verse two belongs to the ladies Consider This: We have heard and told the story of Jesus birth numerous times in countless ways. It can become rote if we are not careful. Once again, we need to take the time to gaze into the manger and embrace the story for ourselves. TIME TO PRAY Pray that God will help us to look into the eyes of the Child of Bethlehem from a unique perspective this year. Ask God to reveal His glory to you in new ways as you worship Him. SPECIAL NOTE: A soloist is required for this arrangement. Ideally, this soloist should be someone who sings with great passion and expression.
WEEK THREE FOCUS: Angels Sing Medley Consider This: The sounds of the Christmas season ring out everywhere. We hear carols soar through the air at shopping malls and grocery stores, on the radio and television, as we walk by coworkers cubicles, at parties almost everywhere it seems. Read: Luke 2:13-14 Ask: Do you suppose that the angels were singing on the night of Jesus birth? If so, what do you suppose that heavenly choir must have sounded like? START HERE: Page 38, measure 151 to the ending. This chorus is normally sung forte or better. Encourage your choir to sing this section with hushed anticipation. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Pick-up to measure 83 through measure113. There is a passing of the contrapuntal baton going on in the musical composition of this section. Rehearse ladies only, followed by men only in order to reinforce the contrasting elements. TIME TO PRAY Pray that God will enable your choir to proclaim Jesus birth with the same heavenly unction and zeal afforded to the angels as they heralded His birth. SPECIAL NOTES: The tender moments in this arrangement are best accomplished if your choir sings with little or no vibrato (straight tone). Some people are unable to sing without vibrato and should, therefore, be encouraged to sing very lightly.
WEEK FOUR FOCUS: Amen with Jesus, What A Wonderful Child Consider This: The news of Jesus coming to earth is good news of great joy! When we sing about it, we need to proclaim it with hearts overflowing and voices raised to the highest heights. Read: Luke 2:15-20 Ask: When the shepherds ran off to share what they had experienced, what do you suppose was their demeanor or emotion? Take a Closer Look: Look at Narration 3 on page 40. Share: Share reasons you all have for celebration this Christmas. Who is Jesus to you at this point in your life? What has the Christ of Bethlehem done for you? Why should we praise Him? START HERE: Page 44, measure 28 through measure 41, the repetitive and very familiar chorus of Amen UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Meas. 42-57, the repetitive and somewhat rhythmically challenging chorus of Jesus, What A Wonderful Child. There are a lot of words to chew on over triplet rhythm patterns. If your choir has any difficulty in executing this, ask them to speak the lyrics in rhythm at a slower tempo; repeat a few times at incrementally increasing tempos; add the music and it should iron itself out. TIME TO PRAY Pray that our hearts and spirits would be filled to the uttermost with resounding praise. Ask God to embolden the rejoicing voices and spirit of the choir in such a way that a contagious fire ignites the hearts of the congregation as this medley is sung. SPECIAL NOTES: A soulful soloist is needed for this arrangement. This soloist should have a reasonable amount of ability to sing vocal ad-libs.
WEEK FIVE FOCUS: Welcome to Our World Consider This: Heaven is the only perfect place. It is pure holiness, love, majesty, splendor, power, light, and unending life everywhere, all of the time, available to everyone who dwells there with God the Father. Christ left all of this behind and stepped into a broken, imperfect, desperate place and embraced all that was wrong as His sole burden to bear. Read: John 1:1-18 and the Foreword on page 3 Take a Closer Look: Look at the lyrics on pages 58 and 59. Ask: When God looked down upon all He had created, before the birth of Christ, what do you suppose He saw? When God sees the condition of man today, how do you suppose He sees us? (Point out that God sees believers as righteous because of Christ and what He has done to redeem us.) START HERE: Page 55, pick-up to measure 31 through measure 40. This melodic framework is consistent throughout the entire song. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Measures 44-53 The central melodic theme is expanded a bit with the addition of more fully developed harmony in the vocal arranging. Note the dynamics; they are essential. TIME TO PRAY- Thank You, God, for sending Your Son, Jesus, to our world. We are so grateful that You understand us and know us, yet You love us, forgive us, have redeemed us, and call us Your own. Use us this Christmas season to cause someone to come to know You as personal Savior. Reveal Your saving power and grace in and through us and bring Yourself glory. SPECIAL NOTES: A female/male duet is needed for this arrangement. This is the title piece of the musical and is likely to be the most evangelistic opportunity during the service. The spirit of your duet singers is as crucial as their vocal ability.
WEEK SIX FOCUS: Newborn King Medley Consider This: The Christmas celebration in many churches is considered to be the pinnacle event of each passing year. In all reality, it is only the beginning of the greatest story of all time. We celebrate the apex of God s grand plan on earth a few months from now, when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. When God sent the Infant King, Jesus, to the village of Bethlehem, He was sending salvation, redemption, resurrection, and eternal life to all who would believe. Read: Mark 1:1-3 and the first paragraph of Narration Five on page 60 Ask: Within your sphere of influence, is there anyone who has not met Jesus and accepted Him as personal Savior? This week, will you visit, call, write, or e-mail that person and invite him to share in this musical celebration with us? Take a Closer Look: Look at Mark 16:14-20. Ask: Have you ever considered that Go, Tell It on the Mountain is much more than the directive of angels to shepherds or a treasured Christmas carol? It was the first proclamation of the Great Commission. Aside from the presentation of this musical, can you think of additional ways that you can proclaim the gospel throughout this Christmas season and beyond? START HERE: Page 66, measure 47 to the end This is the backside bookend and needs to be as triumphant as it can conceivably be. UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: After nearly 30 minutes of singing, your voice may feel a bit weary. Moreover, because this medley is filled with favored carols, there may be a tendency to waltz through the familiar repertoire without gusto. Encourage your choir with this: The man in the front pew may be whispering to his wife, Margaret, get your coat. I think this thing is wrappin up. But ours is the responsibility to sing with thankful hearts and thunderous voices, pointing the hearts of the congregation toward the Father s throne.
We are leading in worship. May we never forget or tire of that privilege! PAUSE TO REFLECT AND SHARE Is there a particular song in this musical or moment of inspiration during your rehearsal and preparation time that has been spiritually significant for you? How has the Holy Spirit prepared you for our celebration this year? TIME TO PRAY Father God, we want to come before You and tell You how much we adore You. We worship You alone, O God. Yours is the glory and Yours is this great story of love unbounded! The rehearsing is complete. We ve learned the notes and lyrics. We ve studied Your Word. We ve prayed for Your empowerment as we lead our family, friends, and community in worship by sharing this musical with them. We ask for Your anointing to fall upon us all as we sing. Again, we ask, in Jesus name, for salvation to come in this place. Reveal Yourself to us, Father, and show us Your glory once again. We welcome You to our world, our church, our homes, our families, and our hearts. In the matchless name of Your Son, Jesus, and for His sake we pray. Amen.