Back to basics...

Yesterday the power went out right as our band was finishing soundcheck. Blown transformer. So, they all headed down to the WL's office, grabbed acoustic instruments, and headed over to the tiny chapel (which makes more use of natural light than our sanctuary). The WL kept his acoustic, the lead guitarist took up a classical guitar (which was actually his college major), the drummer got one of those box things that you sit on and hit (the name escapes me), the keyboard player took up a piano, and the bass player played ukelele (spelling?). Total change of frequency for the bassist! Anyways, it sounded AMAZING! Now don't get me wrong, the worship is normally very good, but tonight it was great. The space where the contemporary services normally play is just a big square room with wooden walls. Not an ideal space for amplified instruments. This chapel, however, was built to mix and project well on it's own. The result was a full response across all of the frequencies. And you could actually hear the congregation singing (impossible in our current room)! Also, due to the lack of screens, the set was changed to Sunday-schoolish songs and hymns that everyone knew. The result was a stripped down, back to basics approach to worship, and I just might think that I like it.

That sounds like a beautiful service. It really helps that your musicians are pretty versatile, and that you guys could quickly rearrange, head over to the chapel... and simply worship.

Every once in a while I plan a set with just acoustic, mandolin, accordion, piano, tinwhistles and hand drums. It is always fun for us, and very well received by the congregation as well.

What songs did you do?

Open The Eyes of My Heart Lord
I Could Sing of You Love Forever
Shout to the Lord

(Welcome and Announcements)

Amazing Grace (Offering and Communion)

(Sermon)

How Great is our God

(Benediction)

This Little Light of Mine

Shaking it up...sounds like a good way to get out of a rut Teleworshipkid.

Another idea-have the band set up in a circle. Then with every song switch to the instrument on your right!

:lol::grin::idea:

That sounds like an amazing experience. Too bad everything will be fixed next week.

Open The Eyes of My Heart Lord
I Could Sing of You Love Forever
Shout to the Lord

(Welcome and Announcements)

Amazing Grace (Offering and Communion)

(Sermon)

How Great is our God

(Benediction)

This Little Light of Mine

Nice - good choice on going very familiar with the lack of projection. And those songs can work well without needing a full modern band sound (drums and electric guitars...) Funny thing is, with the power issue the service could have really been a struggle, but it sounds like it really was an authentic and memorable worship time, for both the worship team and congregation. Well done!

Quoted from one of the prayers:

"...and Lord, we find ourselves kneeling POWERLESS at your feet, for you are the one with all of the POWER we need to face each coming day..." (or something along those lines)

I asked him afterwards if that was an allusion to the current situation. He looked back at his notes and laughed, saying that he had actually prepared that part of the prayer in advance, and totally missed just how much it literally applied to our situation.

Quoted from one of the prayers:

"...and Lord, we find ourselves kneeling POWERLESS at your feet, for you are the one with all of the POWER we need to face each coming day..." (or something along those lines)

I asked him afterwards if that was an allusion to the current situation. He looked back at his notes and laughed, saying that he had actually prepared that part of the prayer in advance, and totally missed just how much it literally applied to our situation.

Awesome!

OP,
I hear you on this one.
Sometimes the Lord lets the power go out, so He can use our musical skills in different ways! Glad it was a great worship experience.