oasisCHURCH | Worship Resources

Overhauling the Worship Page

Hello worship team, curious readers, and those who may be here by accident…

I will be the first to admit that this page has remained pretty stagnant since its inception. There are varying reasons for this. The primary reason is that while I was making plans, God was making other plans for the direction of my life. The last six months of my life have been utterly transforming. If you’ve been following the main page of this site then you know that I’ve been chiseling out a commentary of James. As I come closer to the end of this particular study of James (I’m sure I will revisit it throughout my life and continue to learn from it) I find myself with a new set of priorities and a redefined perspective of God. Someone might ask, “How does this pertain to the worship resources site?” The simple answer is that it relates in every relevant, God-centered way that I can imagine. The vision that God has given me for this stop on the information super highway is altering from my initial perspective.

So what’s changing?

As far as the information that has been here, not much except for formatting. I love technology and the opportunities it affords us. Recently I have figured out a way to bring a vast amount of chord charts to the worship resources web site. The technical aspect of what I’m doing is not important but there is one thing that I need to make you aware of.

On the left hand side of this page you see a number of clickable links under various headings. These headings are known in the “blogging” world as “typelists”. Several of these typelists are going to undergo major changes while others are going to stay largely the same. Please keep in mind that this is going to take an extensive amount of time but the end result of this overhaul will be a whole new wealth of information that has not previously existed on this site. Let me talk you through the first typelist that is undergoing a major facelift.

In the past the typelist entitled “Chord Charts” has been the most extensive typelist. If you look now (as of this typing anyway) there are only two links available to click. One is entitled “Hymns: Ancient and Modern” and the other is entitled “The Chad Dodson Collection”. If you click on either one of these you will notice that a “PDF” document appears with chord charts. You’ll notice that in the collection entitled “Hymns: Ancient and Modern” there are 21 pages altogether. Here’s the nice thing about this new format. You don’t have to scroll through all 21 pages to find the song you’re looking for. Over on the left hand side of your web browser (at least that’s where it appears on mine) you’ll see a tab entitled “bookmarks”. If you click that tab a number of links will appear. These links are the titles of the songs, in alphabetical order. Simply click on any song link and you will automatically go there in the main page viewer of the PDF document being displayed. Please note that some songs will have two pages so make sure you check before you make the mistake of printing less than the entire song.

Other typelists will be getting the same treatment in the near future. I am currently working on the following collections for addition to the Chord Charts typelist: Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder, and Charlie Hall. Not all of these tunes will be in the original keys as originally recorded but a number of them will be. So if you’re new to this site or Oasis Christian Fellowship and you’ve come seeking chord charts that are precisely like the artists original recordings, you may be disappointed in a few cases. The chord charts that will be presented here have, in some cases, been specifically tailored to certain worship leaders styles. So arrangement may be different and keys may be different. For those chord charts that deviate away from their “original structure”, I believe that you can still find them useful and easy enough to revert to their “as recorded” style. It will simply require that you listen and transcribe the necessary changes.

What kind of blogging content can you expect?

Most of the blogging content here has served to alert worship team members at Oasis of the updated worship schedules. I want that to change. I want this to be a forum where a community of worship leaders can challenge and strengthen one another in the area of musical worship. How can we glorify God with music? What are the specific ways that this happens? What are the dangers of being a lead worshipper? How can we be effective as worship leaders? These are a number of the common questions that I had when I first began leading worship. It is topics like these that I would like to broach but I don’t want to stop there. I’m very interested in the theology behind the music. There is room for much discussion about the theological soundness of today’s Christian music. I think this is important for a number of reasons and this blog will serve as a good place to put everything from hymns to current top 40 Christian hits under the microscope. The possibilities seem boundless.

There’s much work yet to do so I better stop typing and get to constructing…

 

To All Oasis Worship Team Members:

In the Oasis Advisory Team meeting last Sunday we discussed how the new set-up crews are working out and how things are flowing since the new move to the Middle School. Mike K. mentioned that the only awkwardness was in the fact that everything has been set up and ready to go by 8:45 or 9:00 (the band is usually ready by 8:30), but then the crews are finished and bored from then until 10:00am. So we were trying to figure out a way to alleviate this “dead time” for the work crews, and the best solution we could come up with was to have the crews come in later, like 8:45, and begin setting up at that time. However, the band does still need to be ready by 8:30 because I would really like for us to be finished with the morning’s practice by the time people start rolling into the cafeteria (9:30).

So, my recommendation was that we have the band members and sound crew come in at 8:00am, and set up ONLY the sound and instrumentation. Leave the tables, chairs, video stuff, tidying up, etc. for the crews that will be coming in later in the morning. That would save the crews a lot of wasted time, and we would still have the full hour to practice as needed. Also, we have enough band members that it should not be a burden if everyone is faithful to show up and pitch in. I know that all of you typically take care of your own equipment anyway, so that is nothing new to you. But we are going to go ahead and take on the responsibility of helping set the entire sound system as well. This week Mike Kennedy will give us instructions and specific details. Also, you will only need to do this if you are on the schedule to serve in the band or worship team (sound, vocals, etc.) that week.

Additionally, I would also like to recommend that for all worship team members who are serving on a particular Sunday that we also commit to sticking around afterwards and helping with the tear down of instruments and the sound system. I know it often seems like there are many reasons to need to get out of there quickly after the gathering has dismissed, but in reality it only takes about 10, maybe 15 extra minutes maximum. Personally, I have just learned to rearrange my life in such a way that my Sunday church experience is not over until 1:00pm. If someone wants to make a lunch appointment with me, or if there is a family reunion, etc., I just kindly share with them that I can come after 1:00 on Sundays. Eventually it just becomes part of your life. Granted, there are times when leaving early is unavoidable. As always, love and grace reigns in these things!

I guess this is all just part of growing. If Chad or I get the sense that one of you is getting burned out or is having trouble making the commitments that being on the worship team requires, then perhaps it is time to take a break from the worship team altogether for a short while, simply to refuel. But ultimately we all do need to begin looking at set-up and tear-down as part of the whole “worship team service” package.

There are more ways than one for how we can encourage one another in this. For instance, one aspect of the worship team commitment has to do with how we are preparing ourselves for the Sunday gathering on Saturday nights. I know that long ago I made a commitment to make my big weekend “night out” to be Friday nights, simply because Sundays required a lot of energy from me and I needed to be at my best. Likewise, we all could use similar encouragement when it comes to preparing to lead the church in worship. Perhaps it is simply going to bed earlier on Saturday night. Of course, we do not want to be legalistic about it. Those decisions and commitments have to come from each person’s own heart. But I also know that they are rarely ever made until someone gives the exhortation. So take this as encouragement and exhortation. :)

I appreciate the sacrifice you make weekly to serve God in the ways you do. You are part of a great team, and that is one reason why we are experiencing such growth. With growth also comes reorganization and challenge. I know all of you and I have seen your hearts, so I know you are up for the challenge.

September-October Worship Schedule

Hello folks,

I've had a long stint of silence here and I apologize for that.  There is finally a new worship schedule posted.  Just click the link on the left under the Typelist entitled Worship Schedule.  As always, please direct any questions about the worship schedule to my e-mail (chad@bethechurch.com).  I'll see you on Sunday.

all my love

chad

June - July Worship Schedule

Hello Worship Team,

Your new schedule is up.  Simply click on the link to the left under "Worship Schedule" to see an updated list for the next two months.  As always, should you have any conflicts with your dates to serve simply let me know at chad@bethechurch.com or call my cell phone @ 740-416-4119.  Also take careful note of the practice dates.  I'm leaving them open as far as who is doing what because I have some different plans for what will happen during those times.  Please make every effort to be available for these practice dates because they are vital to our health as a body of people learning to be examples of worship to others.  Also, look to the main page of this web site to see about some new ministry opportunities relating directly to the worship team.  I'll see you soon. 

all my love

chad

New Worship Schedule

Hello Praise Team,

I just wanted to take a moment to call your attention to the fact that we have updated our worship schedules and you can download them from this site.  Just go to the left hand side of this page under the Typelist heading "Worship Schedule" and download the currently posted schedule.  Be sure to contact either chris (chris@bethechurch.com) or me (chad@bethechurch.com) if you have any conflicts that you are aware of with your sceduled dates.  Also take note of the practice date on the schedule.  That date is April 30th.  The folks listed for that day are the designated members for both the morning gathering as well as the afternoon practice from 1 to 3.  Also take note that this is the same day that we'll be having our 3rd Oasis Youth Night.  It will be a busy day for us.  That about wraps it up for this installment.  Take care...

chad

March 12 Set

Worship Team Members,

 

Here's who's on to serve this week:

• Chris (lead worshiper)
• Timothy (drums)
• Jimmy (bass)
• Travis (acoustic guitar)
• Amy (keys)
• Emma (Sharon Stewart is scheduled to do vocals, but she is going to be out of town, so would you like to fill in this week?)
• Justin (percussion)
• Mike K. (sound)
• Casey (computer)
• Chad (communion & offering devo)

And here is the song list we will work from, and attached are the text files to practice with:

• Grace Poured Out (A)
• Holy Is The Lord (A)
• I Will Not Forget You (G)
• I Love Your Ways (D)
• Hungry (D)
• You're Everything (A)
• You, My God (E)
• Amazing Grace (E)

Thanks everyone!

 

chris

Actual Keys List
Capo Keys List

You Are My Joy

Wow! It's all I can say. I hope lots of kids come out to the Racine gig just to experience that one song. Man, does it give me goose bumps! Great job yesterday band. Both in the morning worship gathering and in the afternoon practice session. I was amazed at how quickly "You Are My Joy" came together. I am looking forward to unleashing this one on a crowd of passionate Christians who are bursting at the seams to scream for the JOY of Lord at the top of their lungs.

I also have to admit that I love the sound of this new baby.

Most of What You Need to Know for the Racine First Baptist "Concert"

What and Why: The praise band was invited to come to Racine First Baptist to lead the youth there in a night of worship and teaching. So that’s what and why we’ll be there.

When: Saturday March 18^th.

Time(s): The actual night will get started at 7:00 P.M. However, we will need to set up long before that. I’ve been told that we can pretty much have access to the building any time after 12:00 P.M. But most of us will be at Bev’s wedding so we’ll be setting up a little later in the afternoon. I’m thinking we should try to be setting up by 3:00 P.M.

The Itinerary:

*7:00-7:30: The Racine First Baptist Youth Choir will perform some songs. I’m not sure exactly how many but I’ve been given the indication that it should be about three tunes. Then after that Kylen King, who some of you know, will be performing a few solo tunes “karaoke” style. 

*7:30-7:45: There will be a brief intermission here to reset the stage for the praise band. This will also give the praise band a chance to gather and pray before we head up to lead worship. 

*7:45-8:30: This will be a time of full throttle style worship. We’ll be doing mostly upbeat, celebratory style tunes. It should be a really great time of worship. 

*8:30-9:00(ish): Teaching. I’ll be presenting the “Indescribable” message to those gathered. 

*9:00-Whenever: After the teaching we’ll just worship until it feels ready to stop. We most likely won’t go past 10:00 P.M. but you never know what the Holy Spirit might do in that moment. 

How You Can Get Involved:

This night will be pseudo elaborate. There will be lights, computer, and sound to run. This isn’t so different from what we normally do but still, we need to make sure we have enough bodies on hand to do the work. If you happen to live near that area or are interested in showing up to do some heavy lifting and some general set up help then your assistance would be incredibly welcome (particularly for the tear down because the band will be wiped out by the time 10:00 p.m. rolls around). 

Below are the areas of ministry that we have people serving in or will need people to serve in:

 *Sound: Mike K. and Justin

 *Computer: Travis

*Lights: Open – We are hoping, and will most likely have, some kind of lighting rig for the evening. If this happens we will need at least one person to watch over this but perhaps two couldn’t hurt. We may even be able to get a couple of spot lights and if this happens then we will definitely need at least three people on light detail. This would be an exciting and interesting area of worship that we don’t have a tremendous amount of experience in. I don’t yet know the exact lighting rig that we will have but the moment I know I’ll start connecting with people, if you don’t connect with me first, about seeing after this ministry during the course of that night. 

*Set-up and Teardown Crew: While this may not be the most desirable of all ministries, because it usually involves lifting very heavy things, it is perhaps one of the most vital in a venture of this sort. Anyone who wishes to volunteer with the set-up and teardown crew may find special gifts in their mailbox or something. Umm….okay…..I made that last part up but your help would be most welcome. 

*Your Support: This night is not about Oasis Christian Fellowship or Racine First Baptist. This night will be about worshiping and experiencing God. You may have noticed on the itinerary above that the Oasis band is not the only thing going on that night. The Racine First Baptist Youth Choir will be launching this night of worship. So we want to be there in as much force as we can to worship with them as they commit themselves to worship in song. Also, it will be helpful to have bodies in the number who are not timid about standing, singing, and worshipping God with their full muster. This will help break the ice with all those gathered. In the end we have no clear way of knowing how many will be there. It could be anywhere from 20 to 50, or perhaps more. But numbers are not the emphasis. This is a unique opportunity to go out and worship with fellow believers in our immediate area. These kinds of moments to gather in worship with people who are virtually our neighbors, sadly, don’t happen enough. Let’s change that. Let’s make these kinds of things more common. We can aid in that by taking part in this night, which I believe God is going to use in a very special way for all of us. 

The Band:

 *Lead Worshiper: Chad (acoustic) and Chris (electric)

 *Drums: Jared

 *Bass: Jim

 *Keys: Amy

 *Auxiliary Percussion: Timothy

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR ALL BAND MEMBERS:

THERE WILL BE A PRACTICE FOR THE RACINE GIG THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 5^TH AT 4:00 P.M. @ THE LEGION! The practice will run until 6:00 P.M. This is a very important practice for us not just because of the Racine gig but also because it gives us the chance to sharpen ourselves musically so that our worship is that much more effective. 

“Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” (Psalm 33:2-3)

Below is the Song List for the gig:

(1) Our Love Is Loud

(2) Here Is Our King

(3) O Praise Him

(4) Forever

(5) Undignified

(6) Famous One

(7) Enough

(8) Glorious

(9) Holy Is The Lord

(10) Indescribable

(11) The Wonderful Cross

(12) Your Grace Is Enough

(13) Make A Joyful Noise/I Will Not Be Silent

(14) No One Like You

(15) Open Skies

(16) You’re Everything

(17) Better Is One Day

(18) You Never Let Go

(19) Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble

(20) I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever

(21) You Are So Good To Me

(22) Let My Heart

(23) Teach Me

(24) Unrivaled

(25) You…My God

(26) Every Move I Make

(27) You Are My Joy

(28) Beautiful One

(29) Center

(30) Sing Like the Saved

Alright…that’s a lot of stuff. If you need to know how to get to Racine First Baptist just hunt me down (Chad). It’s right beside the new firehouse in Racine. If you don’t know where that is just talk to me and I’ll get you there. My e-mail address is chad@bethechurch.com or you can call me at 740-416-4119 (my cell). Just leave me a message on my phone or on my email box and I’ll get back in touch with you. 

Can’t wait to worship with all of you that night.

all my love

chad 

March 5 Set

Hello Worship Team Members!

 

Here is the song list for this Sunday along with a text file with the chords for the actual key in which we will be playing the songs. I will provide capo versions for the songs this Sunday as well. I also have included below the list who is scheduled to serve this week.

• Beautiful One (G)
• Wholly Yours (A)
• Your Grace Is Enough (A)
• Our God Reigns (A)
• Glory To The King (Ab)
• God Of Wonders (Ab)
• Glorious (B)
• Not To Us (B)
• Jesus Paid It All (B)
• Center (E)
• Wonderful Maker (G)

Here is the team:

• Chris (lead worshiper)
• Chad (guitar, acoustic or electric?)
• Amy (keys)
• Jimmy (bass)
• Jared (drums)
• Timothy (percussion)
• Mike (sound)
• Justin (computer)

Let me know if any of you have any questions. Thanks for your time and enthusiasm for worship!!!

February 5th Set-Actual Keys

February 26 Evening Set

YOUTH WORSHIP KICKOFF!!!

We have a big night ahead of us this Sunday.  It should be a lot of fun.  I have a short list of 7 songs that are very familiar and very fun.  Here's that list:

Our Love Is Loud (E)
Revolutionary Love (Ab)
Wonderful King (E)
Here is Our King (Bb)
O Praise Him (Bb)
Forever (A)
Undignified (E)

Here is the list of people I have serving this Sunday night:

Lead Worshiper:  Chad
Drums:  Timothy
Bass:  Travis
Guitars:  Justin and Bradley
Keys:  Emma P.
Vocal:  Jessi M.
Percussion:  Brock S.
Sound:  Mike and Chris
Computer:  Cara
Teacher:  Chris

Please take note that from 1-2 we will be having a short practice.  This practice may or may not take the whole time but it will serve the purpose of allowing us to run through the material for the evening.  Below is a link with all the lead sheets should you wish to download them:

Feb. 26 Evening Set

I'll see you on Sunday.  Remember to try and see to it that you can stay to practice from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Thanks,

chad