Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wednesday's Brian Teaser

Every Easter, my mom's side of the family will get together to celebrate the holiday. Aside from all the candy bunnies, jelly beans, and chocolate covered eggs, my grandfather always makes a traditional stew. Can you tell me the name of this stew?

Hint #1: It is Polish.

Hint #2: The stew is reddish/purple thanks to one of its main ingredients.

Prize to the winner!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Hosanna!

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The kids in the church colored palm branches. The Sunday School lessons were on Jesus' triumphal entry on a lowly donkey. In his sermon, Pastor Steve taught on Jesus in the Old Testament. The worship team added energy and creativity to the services.

Before Sunday, Pastor Steve came into my office and told me that worship for Palm Sunday needed to be big, amazing, and loud. He wanted the congregation to sing together in joyful celebration to God.

So, I began to create the set list. Lincoln Brewster was added (All To You). Paul Baloche's song (Hosanna) is a hit at Westwood. Then, when I was playing piano with Matt S., we discovered that an 80's classic (Don't Stop Believing) worked great with a David Crowder song (Our Love Is Loud). It was familiar riff to a great song for Palm Sunday.

When Sunday arrived, we had a wonderful time in the rehearsal and services. The worship team nailed all the parts (the Journey/Crowder song was terrific!), the music was energetic and joyful (Pastor Steve even said that he lost his breath from singing so hard), and people glorified God by singing powerful words to Him.

"Hosanna, Hosanna, You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises!"