Stephen’s Chronicles

Sermon topic: The Risk of Love – Marriage

Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
Today Is The Day – Lincoln Brewster
Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
Every Breath – Gateway Worship
Your Love Oh Lord – Third Day
You Are The One – Lincoln Brewster
Forever – Chris Tomlin

Sermon topic: The Risk of Love – Mentors

I Give You Worship – Ashmont Hill
I’m Not Ashamed – Tommy Walker
Your Love Feeds My Soul – Grant Birchard (PK)
Never Gonna Stop – Tommy Walker
He Knows My Name – Tommy Walker
Worthy You Are Worthy – Don Moen
A Greater Song – Paul Baloche/Matt Redman

It seems we had a Tommy Walker sunday, almost. It was great though, because the congregation knew most of the songs and was able to participate greatly. The highlight for me was “A Greater Song” as it’s my favorite song. We just don’t do it enough, but that is my decision as to not do only my favorite songs for our set list.

One funny thing that happened was that our drummer had a gig in Long Beach from 1-5pm. So I told him, that’s fine and just be there 5 minutes before we start our evening service at 6pm. Well, when he got on the freeway, there was traffic. He didn’t end up showing until 6:05pm, 5 minutes late. Of course, we waited for him, but I was just about to start without him. Glad he made it though, as we really couldn’t do the first set without a drummer…

Sermon topic: Does God Really Care? About Sin?

You You Are God – Gateway Worship
Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
Love – Chris Tomlin
Glorious – Martha Munizzi
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
Rescue – Newsong Version
Only True God – Paul Baloche

This week, I was mostly worried about Glorious, because I have never played the song on keys before. And since we didn’t have any horn players, it would be more difficult for me because I had to provide the lead lines and the groove for the song. So, after a consult with my friend Kendra, it was practice after practice. And I think I got it… I think.

The band pretty much did all of the songs pretty well. It was great having Becky back, after a period of time where she had her baby. And the other vocals were perfect. There were a few spots where the band got off a bit, but I think we all recovered ok. Jeremy did a great job in his message. Trevor did a great job doing communion and offering as well. It was a great, short service. Hope we do more like this one.

Sermon topic: Memorial for Jesus

You’re Worthy of My Praise – Jeremy Camp version
All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises – Paul Baloche
Make It Glorious – Tommy Walker
Open The Eyes of My Heart – Paul Baloche
Better Is One Day – Passion
Your Name – Paul Baloche
Mighty To Save – Hillsong United
Enough – Chris Tomlin
None But Jesus – Hillsong United
Here I Am To Worship – Tim Hughes
Hosanna – Brooke Fraser

Today, we mostly had a praise service and remembrance of Jesus through talking of communion in the aisles, offering up our offerings to the Lord in baskets on the stage, and being able to remember Jesus further by walking up to two life-size crosses on the stage, to feel the roughness of the cross, to imagine in our minds what Jesus went through when he died on the cross for our sins.

It was very powerful, as we prayed for the families and friends of our fallen troops and thanked God for their sacrifice. But it was even more powerful in our time when we remembered what Jesus had done for us, as lots of people went up to the cross to feel for themselves what the Lord had done. A number of people also went up to pray and be prayed for by our Elders. But it was also a time where we praised our Lord in song as well.

In our evening service, I had to opportunity to have a great friend of mine, Dave Maciel, on lead guitar. He has grown so much in his skill set and I’m so proud of him and his music career. Currently, you can see him at First Christian Church of Downey leading worship, but he also plays at different clubs now and then. But thanks to the rest of the crew as well. You guys are awesome at what you do and I’m thankful to be a part of it.

Overall, this day was awesome. And now, I’m exhausted. My God have the full glory for what happened today. Thanks be to Him!

Sermon topic: Does God Really Care? About the Little Things?

I Have A Hope – Tommy Walker
How Good and Pleasant – Tommy Walker, New Breed Version
Made To Worship – Chris Tomlin
Hosanna – Paul Baloche, Promise Keepers Version
Mighty Is The Power of the Cross – Chris Tomlin
I’ll Stay – Stephen Ulangca

It was a great Sunday service to worship the Lord. We had two baptisms, a great message about how we need to focus on the Lord, and a great worship and praise time to the Lord. Thanks to Rick for helping me lead today. Thanks also for Ruben for being on team as well. And for the rest of the crew, we couldn’t do it without you.

Plus, it was great to finally introduce the song “I’ll Stay” to our congregation, since the song was written back in 1998. I know, I should have done it long ago, but I had forgotten how powerful the song is. Already, numerous people have come up to me encouraged about the song and I’m just thankful to God about the opportunity to share this with them.

So, blessings to you all. Have a great week!

Sermon topic: FREEDOM Restored (Galatians 6:1-18)

My Savior Lives – Jon Egan and Glenn Packiam
We Lift You Up – Glenn Packiam
Hungry – Marie Barnett
Faithful To You – Ruben Romero and Stephen Ulangca
You’re Everything – David Crowder
None But Jesus – Brooke Fraser
As The Deer – Martin Nystrom

This was a great service. 2 baptism, baby dedication, and a great message. We had a very full band too: drums, percussion, bass, keys, acoustic and electric guitar, plus a trumpet. With 4 vocals, that’s a lot of people in the band. It was great. Praise the Lord for what He brought about and for what we were able to do for Him.

Sermon topic: FREEDOM – The Purchase of Freedom

All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises – Paul Baloche
I’m Not Ashamed – Tommy Walker
Your Love Feeds My Soul – Grant Birchard
Happy Day – Ben Cantelon and Tim Hughes
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Stuart Townend
You Are My King – Billy Foote
I Will Rise – Louie Giglio, Matt Maher, Jesse Reeves, and Chris Tomlin

We had an Easter SonRise service at 6am this morning, which was an acoustic set with 2 guitars and percussion. We probably did half the songs listed, but the service overall went pretty well. What I’m most happy about was other than the previous years, we actually had some light to start the service, in which people could read the lyric sheets provided so they can all participate in singing to the Lord. It was great.

After our usual NOCC Easter Breakfast, we had our 3 normal services at 915, 1100, and 1800. The first and third services were the same. But the second service (1100), we had both the Spanish ministry and Korean church with us. So with everything that was said in English was translated into Spanish and Korean, except for the songs. It was great.

Overall, it was a great time of worship to the Lord as we celebrated what Jesus had done for us; to praise the Lord for his rising, to exalt the Lord that He is alive today in our hearts, and to rejoice in the Lord for the freedom that He gives. Let us all continue to celebrate together as the days go on. Blessings!

Sermon topic: FREEDOM – The Price of Freedom

Our God Saves – Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown
Let God Arise – Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, and Chris Tomlin
Again I Say Rejoice – Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey
I Give You My Heart – Reuben Morgan
Above All – Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc
Hiding Place – Jared Anderson
My Jesus I Love Thee – William R. Featherston and Adoniram Judson Gordon (PD)
From The Inside Out – Joel Houston

It was my first time on keyboards leading for the whole service. Usually, I’m on acoustic guitar, or switching back and forth between acoustic and keys. But it was the first time I had to be on keyboards for the faster songs. And I thought it went well, for the most part. I still felt a little uncomfortable.

We did our alternate communion and offering setup for this service, where people would go up to the tables to partake of communion and to the baskets to give their offering. We added another section where people could go up and pray with someone as well. It was received very well and the we had a great number of people participate in the prayers. All and all, it was a great worship service to the Lord.