Worship Musician Magazine November 2024 | Page 41

KIDS WORSHIP
CHANGING SEASONS MAKES WORSHIP EXCITING | Yancy
How did we get here again ? I ’ ll never understand how the year goes by so quickly but here we are . The year as we know it is wrapping up . The leaves are falling or maybe even have fallen where you are . Two of our biggest holidays are rapidly approaching . I think most of us see the holiday season as something exciting that we look forward to . But even still , it ’ s a lot of work for every homemaker and church leader !
Before you get burdened by your to-do list this season , I want you to think about the reasons this season is one that you anticipate expectantly . What energizes you about it ? What are the wins of the extra services and events ? How did your Church impact your community or even a specific person by your efforts last year ? Remember these things and recount them , giving thanks to the Lord . Did you know that ’ s what the Hebrew word Caphar means ? “ To count and number . To recount , rehearse and count exactly .” The Bible instructs us to make a list of ALL the ways that God has been faithful . It tells us to be specific . We serve a very detailed God . I see Him most often in the details of my life . Don ’ t be afraid to be specific with God .
Caphar encourages us to write down every good and perfect gift we have been given . Which reminds me of an old hymm … “ count your many blessings , name them one by one .” Imagine if we spent more time doing that !
Throughout the Psalms you can notice recurring themes and expressions of worship . In Psalm 136 it says this over and over again . “ His love endures forever ”. Repetition helps you take something to heart . It helps the message to not just be words on a page but to be truth that you can cling to . But you have to remember it . You must count and number , recount and rehearse .
This month affords great opportunity to remember how God has moved in your life . It would also be a great time to invite your team to celebrate and give thanks for the testimonies you ’ ve experienced at your church this year . What were the miracles ? Where was salvation ? Who encountered God ’ s presence ? Give Him thanks for it . The team I serve on uses Telegram to communicate and often there is much celebrating that happens as testimonies are shared !
Moving towards Christmas I want to encourage you to remember these things :
JOY : It is a joy-filled season . We are celebrating ! The Savior is born . Of course , there is a time and place for somber but don ’ t let it overwhelm . Joy to the world is for real ! So , let ’ s spread it like an incredible explosion of confetti .
NOSTALGIC : It ’ s all about the familiar . Be sure to create sets that will be full of things they will remember from past Christmases . Those are your carols and the songs that have been done before . These are the songs they will have specific memories tied to . Consider even a medley of these types of songs so you can include more of them in your limited time . Create moments that will set you up to impact lives .
CHANGE : The fact that we can pause from our normal song list and mix things up is truly a gift . This is an opportunity to interject your worship times with joy and worship of course , but also things that feel different . When else in the year do you completely change your playlist ? Enjoy the change of songs . And really think through as you plan your sets , how you can make all the fun and awe of Christmas truly work for you in engaging more people to participate in worship with you . This is the goal .
WORSHIP : I know it should be obvious but worship leaders we can ’ t forget . It ’ s not about you having the best and biggest solo of the Christmas program . The reason for all the extra ( whether it be extra services , lighting and décor , extra music or whatever ) is because we want to worship Jesus as our Savior . In the process of doing so , we get to help others do the same . This is the heartbeat of the Christmas season . To be like the shepherds and the wise men that showed up to worship .
“ Sing to the Lord . Praise Him . Day after day tell about how He saves us . Tell ( Caphar ) the nations about His glory . Tell all people about the wonderful things He has done .” Psalm 96 : 2 & 3 ( NIV ) Let ’ s keep telling every generation to “ Look at what the Lord has done !” It is life changing , good news for all .
© 2024 Yancy Ministries , Inc .
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter with a passion for kids worship . Every week her music is used in thousands of churches around the world . Her Dove Award winning music helps kids fall in love with Jesus one song at a time . Yancy authored the book Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship to help your church raise every generation to be worshipers . Through her program CHORUS , she coaches worship leaders for Next Gen Ministry . Stained Glass Kids is a podcast she hosts for PK ’ s and ministry kids . Yancy lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
YancyMinistries . com
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