Category: Uncategorized

We Weep

Sometimes all we can do is weep.

That’s certainly the case this week, as we grieve and lament the utter evil on display in Uvalde, Texas – in yet another mass shooting – this time at Robb Elementary School. We mourn the senseless murder of 19 children and 2 teachers, and we pray that “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) will minister deeply to all those affected.

Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones. For the community that has been forever marked by this tragedy. For the darkness that can overcome a human soul and drive someone to such madness.

And so we weep. Yet as we do, we weep with faith.

That even though we’re halfway across the country from our brothers and sisters in Texas, “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in Spirit”. (Ps. 34:18)

That even though we don’t know how to pray, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”. (Rom. 8:26)

That even though we see darkness all around us, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. (John 1:5)

And that even though we can’t make sense of the evil on display in our world, a day is coming soon when God “will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore…” (Rev. 21:4)

But until then…

And for now, we weep.

“Yet saints their watch are keeping;
 their cry goes up, ‘How long?’
 And soon the night of weeping
 shall be the morn of song.”

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Worthily Magnify: Exalting Jesus in His Church and Through His Word

Almost 13 years ago (!) I started this blog, with the tagline “helping worship leaders lead well”. My ministry responsibilities at that time were mostly in the realm of worship and music, and so I enjoyed the opportunity to blog a few times a week on topics that might be helpful for other worship leaders

In mid-2014, I was called to a new ministry position at my current church. As my workload increased, my blogging decreased. I still tried to write on worship/music related topics when I could.

Over the last several years, my ministry responsibilities have shifted more broadly, and while they still include worship and music (and that will always be a major part of my heart and passion), I’m more and more involved in the broader areas of being a pastor (i.e. pastoral care, counseling, preaching, etc.). I’m also now an ordained priest (i.e. pastor) in the Anglican Church in North America, and so my journey more into different realms of church ministry continues.

All of that is to say that I’ve decided it’s time to transition this blog into something more than just for worship leaders. So I’ve made a change to the tagline. It’s now: “Exalting Jesus in His Church and Through His Word“. We can do that in so many ways, and in so many realms of ministry, and that’s how I’d like to lend my voice when I can.

All of my old (mostly worship leading-centric) posts are still here, and available for you to peruse by using the “categories” or “search” functions. And I’m sure I will keep posting content for worship leaders from time to time.

But from now on, this blog will likely serve as a place where I’ll share what I’ve been preaching, what I’ve been writing, and what God has been teaching me as I continue to serve the Church however he calls me.

I’ll close for now with this video from my church, of one of my favorite songs, recorded from back in the days of lockdowns and quarantines. May this truth be always on our lips: “Now and ever we confess: Christ our hope in life and death!”

The Lord’s Prayer – New Musical Setting

I recently wrote a new setting of the Lord’s Prayer, and we’ve been singing it the last couple of weeks at my church. Here’s a video with me singing it (and sharing the melody line). Below the video are links to the lead sheet, chord chart, choir arrangement, violin 1 and 2 parts, and a flute part. I hope this is helpful to you!

Lead sheet

Chord chart

Choir arrangement

Violin 1 and 2 parts

Flute part

(Special thanks to my friend Zach Sprowls for these arrangements)

New Setting of a Very Old Hymn

Last year, I was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of North America. I first sensed the call to ordained ministry in my teens and 20’s, but was reluctant to say “yes” to the Lord. Long story short: God eventually got my attention! I said “yes”, and was honored to be ordained in 2021.

There’s an ancient prayer and hymn of the church called “Veni Creator Spiritus” (or “Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire”). You’ll often hear this hymn in liturgical churches on or around Pentecost. And in the Anglican tradition, it’s also sung in an ordination service for a priest.

For my ordination service, my friend Zach Sprowls and I wrote a new arrangement for this ancient text. I took the first stab at it, then Zach improved it, and made it much less boring! Zach also then arranged it for a string quartet. I was delighted to have another good friend of mine, Jordan Ware, sing it in the service.

The lyric video is below, as well as the orchestration (score, lead sheet, piano chart, and string parts). If this would be useful for you and/or your church, then please feel free to use it!

Download the free orchestration (PDF)