Posted by joel on December 25th, 2009
It’s 6:00 on Christmas morning. A magical hour, with the Christmas tree ablaze and no sound except the furnace blowing, and the muted “tap, tap” of my laptop keyboard.
I can’t sleep, even though I only went to bed a few hours ago. The music from our Christmas Eve services at church last night are running through my head on a continuous loop; “Come let us adore Him!”
As I look around the tree at all of the presents I’m amazed again at how blessed my family is. Not because of the stuff, but because of the love and thought behind it. I’m thankful for the grace and caring that keeps this home intact and covered with love. I’m truly thankful for God for this moment.
My thoughts this morning have also turned to what other kids are waking up to this morning on Christmas here in Erie.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by joel on November 15th, 2009
Believe it or not, but this was my first chance to lead worship at our Erie site of McLane Church, which happens to meet Sunday evenings at 5:00 at The Cell Block, which is a very large bar. Thus the nickname, “church-in-a-bar.”
The great thing about that environment in the center of the city is the pallatable “turning back the darkness” experience that you feel as you worship the Savior. And indeed we did worship!
The small and stellar band:
- Ron Yarmin: Acoustic Guitar
- Brian Boleratz: Bass
- Brandt Fuller (Dir. of Worship): Acoustic Guitar/Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
The familiarity of the set had them singing:
- Friend of God/Phillips, Craig & Dean
- Medley in E:
- Open the Eyes of My Heart
- Sometimes By Step (just chorus & alt chorus)
- Here I Am to Worship (chorus & bridge only)
- Wonderful, Merciful, Savior/Selah (a bit faster & fuller than recording)
- Revelation Song
Thanks for the privilege to be with everyone at “church-in-a-bar!”
Note: I am participating in the “Sunday Setlists” blog carnival at FredMcKinnon.Com.
Posted by joel on November 2nd, 2009
Our band of musicians and vocalists once again had the wonderful privilege to lead worship at the Edinboro site of McLane Church this weekend. We continued our series on the Old Testament on Nehemiah, as Bill Cox preached a message on confession.
We welcomed visiting Spanish River Church worship leader Ashley Bowersox on vocals, who sang a stirring lead on “Amazed.”
We closed the service introducing the incredibly powerful song from Pastor Ross Parsley and New Life Worship titled “Overcome.” I get the feeling that this anthem will make a huge impact on our congregation.
Here’s the band:
- David Van Matre: Electric Guitar
- Brandt Fuller (Dir. of Worship): Acoustic Guitar/Vocals
- Brian Van Matre: Keyboards
- John Gersims: Drums
- Jared Leininger: Bass
- Ashley Bowersox: Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
And the set:
- Let God Arise/Chris Tomlin
- Forever/Chris Tomlin
- Never Gonna Stop/Tommy Walker
- Amazed/Desperation Band
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)/Chris Tomlin
- Overcome/This Is My Story/New Life Worship\
This post is part of Fred McKinnon’s Sunday Setlist blog carnival.
Posted by joel on October 12th, 2009
It is always a privilege to lead worship at McLane Church, and the Edinboro congregation were engaged and were powerful participants in honoring God. Daryl Myer shared the third sermon in our series on Nehemiah, with a hard talk about opposition. It was a moving and exhausting weekend.
Thanks so much to the band:
- Andy Pamer: Electric Guitar/Vocals
- David Van Matre: Acoustic Guitar
- Brian Van Matre: Keyboards
- Peter Natalie (my bro): Drums
- Sherri Sullivan: Bass/Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
Set list:
- All Because of Jesus/Casting Crowns
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises/Paul Baloche
- Here I Am to Worship/Tim Hughes
- Kindness/Chris Tomlin
- Revelation Song/Gateway Worship
- How Great is Our God/Chris Tomlin
Have a great week!
Note: I am participating in the “Sunday Setlists” blog carnival at FredMcKinnon.Com
Posted by joel on September 8th, 2009
Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
As a pastor in addition to being a best-selling author, Max Lucado can diagnose the source of the racing pulses, cold sweat, and sleepless nights he sees in his congregation. The symptoms presented indicate the presence of fear, that debilitating emotional response to screaming cable news headlines, a certified letter, or a change in life’s seasons.
In fifteen chapters Lucado, through his brand-new book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
, surveys a baker’s dozen of contexts in our journey where we typically respond in fear. Whether you are in the middle of a storm, financially devastated or even doubting God’s power, the master storyteller examines each fear situation. Then instead of invoking the Rodgers and Hammerstein/Deborah Kerr solution of “whistling a happy tune,” Lucado plugs into the power of God’s Word to ensure the reader that God’s solution is stronger.
It’s fitting that this book arrives almost 12 months to the day of a near total collapse of our global financial system. In its wake, news junkies and worrywarts like me, along with those facing terrible personal valleys can receive true comfort as Max Lucado reminds us of the promises and encouragement of Jesus to “fear not.”
Posted by joel on August 24th, 2009
It seems like I’m always saying it, but this weekend we had an incredible band of musicians leading worship at McLane Church. We did some powerful songs and congregational participation was strong. Bill Cox preached a very practical sermon on the spiritual discipline of reading the Bible. What a blessing to be a part of it!
The band that rocketh’:
- Andy Pamer: Electric Guitar
- David Van Matre: Acoustic Guitar
- Brian Van Matre: Keyboards
- Wendy Plyler: Grand Piano
- Ken Kibbee: Drums
- Grace Johnson: Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
Set list:
- Everlasting God/Chris Tomlin
- Everyone (Praises)/New Life Worship
- Mighty to Save: Hillsong
- Revelation Song/Gateway Worship
- Word of God Speak/Mercy Me
- The Word is Alive/Casting Crowns (closing special)
How awesome it is to worship the Lord in community with folks in our region and around the world this weekend, including those in in the “Sunday Setlists” blog carnival at Fred McKinnon.com.
Posted by joel on July 12th, 2009
Back in the saddle leading worship in Edinboro with a great bunch of folks at McLane Church. With most of church leadership on vacation this weekend, Pastor Andy Kerr and I were blessed by the participation and engagement by our fellow worshippers at McLane.
Tight band:
- Ryan Irwin: Acoustic Guitar/Vocals
- Andy Pamer: Electric Guitar
- David Van Matre: Bass
- Pete Natalie: Drums
- Barb Priestap: Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
Set list:
- Awesome, Amazing: Joe Horness/Willow Creek
- This is How We Overcome: Hillsong
- Til I See You: Hillsong United
- Search Me, Know Me: Kathryn Scott
- What If (special): Jadon Lavik
- You Are My King (Amazing Love) (closer): Billy Foote
Andy Kerr preaches the message about really following Jesus.
This post is part of the Sunday Setlist blog carnival at FredMcKinnon.com.
Recent Comments