Posted by joel on November 2nd, 2009
It technically isn’t “Taxation without Representation,” but it has been 14 years since a Republican sat on Erie City Council. So as one of the 25% of voters who live in the city and have an “R” after my name, it can be easy to feel disenfranchised by the those who are obligated to represent all of us. Often the values of limited government, low taxes, more efficency and less bureaucracy are not priorities by a local government comprised totally of elected officials from the Democrat party.
Most of the time, there are no Republican choices offered in city races, however this year we do have a real choice for City Council: Tim Butler. Tim has an excellent grasp of the challenges facing the City of Erie, and has a strong, effective agenda for taking on the problems head on. His experience as a local staffer for Sen. Rick Santorum shows that he understands the political landscape and can work effectively with all of the players.
Of course, we can vote for four council members in this general election. But with the lopsided registration tally for the Democrats, accompanied by great numbers of those that will just press the big Democrat button, it is very difficult for anyone outside the Dems to rank in the top four vote-getters to win a City Council seat.
That’s why I intend to, and want to encourage other city voters to vote only for Tim Butler for City Council. Those who wish Tim to win should not defeat their own efforts by adding to the vote totals of other candidates. Instead, “bullet vote” for Butler and no one else and give his fresh new voice a fighting chance…for a new Erie.
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.
Posted by joel on June 28th, 2009
Here’s the Sunday Setlist for our annual Baptism weekend here at McLane Church, as part of the weekly blog carnival at FredMcKinnon.com.
The band cooked:
- David Van Matre: Acoustic Guitar
- Andy Pamer: Electric Guitar
- Paul Grenberg: Bass
- Pete Natalie: Drums
- Brian Van Matre: Piano/Keys
- Dawn Wisniewski: Vocals
- Amy Monocello: Vocals
- Joel Natalie: Worship Leader/Vocals
Just four songs:
- All Because of Jesus – Casting Crowns
- Be Glorified – Passion
- Not to Us – Chris Tomlin
- How Can I Keep From Singing – Chris Tomlin
The sermon by Senior Pastor was Baptism: It’s Purpose and Power. The sermon concluded with a video of last year’s baptism with Travis Cottrell’s “Search Me, Know Me” as a soundtrack…very moving.
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