Tag Archives: worship music

S.A.N.S. 308: A Christmas Medley

The term melody if a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying. However, as spontaneous worship montages have grown in popularity throughout churches across the country, it’s not uncommon for musicians to blend the end of one song with the start of another. This is what the Red Rock Worship team has accomplished in their featured selection: A Christmas Medley. A medley is the most common form of overture for musical theatre productions.

And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David, Luke 1:31-32.

When I was younger, my musical tastes were secular in nature, always standing up for my favorite bands of the 1980’s like Boston, the Cars, the Police and U2. However, my college roommate Mike opened my mind to worship music. While most students at Delaware were out partying, Mike and I sat out in lawn chairs in our front yard Friday night listening to Christian music and talking. May listening to A Christmas Medley get your soul ready to worship Emmanuel, God with Us.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 244: Testify to Love

The Christian group Avalon formed in 1995 as a vocal quartet from Nashville, Tennessee. However, over the years, Avalon’s focus on worship music led to a slight name change to Avalon Worship. I was first introduced to Avalon through one of their Christmas albums. While some of their songs or more memorable than others, Testify to Love is one of my favorites.

And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole [e]human race], Mark 16:15

The lyrics to Testify to Love are based upon the passage above. Known as the Great Commission, Jesus leaves a blueprint behind for future Christians to follow, Acts 1:8. First century Jewish Christians completed phase one: testifying about Jesus to everyone in Jerusalem. The apostles completed phase two by the end of the first century by testifying to surrounding towns and villages. The final phase is up to believers to testify about Jesus to the ends of the earth. May this song inspire you to do your part.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 152: Reckless Love

As someone who tries to keep up with the latest sound in worship music, I’ve learned that certain songs are ideal for a specific voice. Such is the case of Reckless Love. While I’ve heard a heard dozen versions online, I feel that this song suits Steffany Gretzinger of Bethel Music the best. Although you may not always enjoy your worship experience at church, not every worship leader has the voice to do a song justice.

This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends, John 15:12-13.

The lyrics of Reckless Love remind me of the words of Jesus in the passage above. Similar to the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 5:8, reckless love involves laying your life down for others. Just as members of the military, police and search and rescue vow to risk their lives daily, God sent his one and only son Jesus to die on a cross for the sins of mankind. May Reckless Love stir your heart and move you to love others.

by Jay Mankus