Piano Man

Yesterday, I used another great song to bring people into the worship service.

Everything on the stage was dark, the cross lights were on, and people were coming into the church auditorium. I started playing Billy Joel's "Piano Man" on the piano and the band slowly joined me by playing the accompanied chords. We went through the main chorus twice and held the G chord at the end. Everyone in the church was looking forward, ready to sing and worship.

I immediately started slowly singing "I'll fly away oh glory, I'll fly away." We went through the chorus slow and then turned the service into a good old fashion gospel-jamin' hymn. People were clapping on the beat, people were clapping off the beat. Everyone in the church was singing loudly, "Hallelujah by and by...I'll fly away!"

"Piano Man" into "I'll Fly Away" initially seemed unorthodox; however, the congregation's attention was drawn into worship through a chorus that was familiar to them.