Nearly 1,800 people gathered together for the 2022 NC Baptist Annual meeting in Greensboro, NC. I have had many inquiries about these times of worship, so today I will outline what we did and give you links to resources for various song arrangements.
Check out a previous post, Planning a Worship Event for People with Diverse Worship Styles for additional insights.
Note that all congregational songs were sung in keys that are attainable by most singers rather than keys that are popular in recordings. Check out this article to learn more.
You can see video from all the worship sessions here.
Monday Evening
Monday evening was led by the NC Baptist Singers & Orchestra (NCBSO) along with the NC Baptist Renewing Worship Band. The choir and orchestra brought tremendous energy to the times of worship as they led passionately in presentational songs as well as leading powerfully in congregational singing. Between the over 100 worship leaders that night and the packed auditorium, I would say we “raised the roof” in worship!
Mini-Concert by the NCBSO
The NC Baptist Singers & Orchestra began the evening by setting the tone for worship with a mini-concert. The orchestra played two selections, followed by the choir singing three songs, closing with the powerful anthem, Behold Our God. The NCBSO had been praying for weeks for this evening of worship for God to move in a great way!
Orchestra Selections
- How Great Is Our God with How Great Thou Art, arr. David Winkler
- Celebration of American Spirituals, arr. Camp Kirkland
Choral Selections
Worship During the Meeting
Once some business was conducted, the session moved to a time of worship beginning with scripture reading. In all the worship times, I was able to select Bible passages that led well into the songs the congregation would be singing. Prayers were also coordinated giving the person praying lyrics of songs coming before or after their prayer so that they can “transition” well in helping the total worship experience flow with intentionality and purpose. All prayers and Bible readings had underlying music provided by our keys player that helped seamlessly transition from prayers or reading to songs and vice versa.
Scripture Reading (in preparation for the song New Name Written Down in Glory)
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:6-7)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. (Isaiah 62:2)
Congregational Song: New Name Written Down in Glory (key of D)
This song was led by the NCBSO and the NC Baptist Renewing Worship Band. A soloist from the NCBSO was the primary worship leader for this vibrant song that really set an attitude of praise in the house.
Prayer
Executive Director-Treasurer Address
NCBSO Feature Song – I Speak Jesus
Perhaps one of the most powerful worship songs I know. This was led by a duet from the NCBSO. Additionally, we had produced a video shown on the wide screen (3:1) behind the main stage that synced with the anthem (we used a click track–no stems) showing how NC Baptists are speaking Jesus in ministry actions around our world. This song flowed out of the prayer time at the end of the EDT address to add power to all the ways that had been described that NC Baptists are impacting the world. By the end of the song, the congregation was on their feet expressing their worship. We then moved directly to a congregational song to give them a way to voice their worship.
Congregational Song: O Praise the Name (Anástasis) (key of A)
This was actually a choral arrangement, but in a great key for congregations to sing. Other than a final line by the choir, it was straightforward for congregational singing. It provided a very moving worship experience that led into the powerful message to follow.
Sermon: Derrick DeLain
Prayer
Tuesday Morning
All Tuesday sessions were led by the NC Baptist Renewing Worship Band. This band is composed of musicians from various NC Baptist churches that come together for special events such as this one. The group received their music for individual preparation many weeks prior to the event, then gathered for one 4-hour vocal rehearsal and one 3-hour rehearsal with band and vocals. We then had times to rehearse at the annual meeting between sessions. Everyone learned their music well before attending the rehearsals.
Worship During the Meeting
The service began with worship.
Scripture Reading (in preparation for the three songs speaking to “worthy is the Lamb”) Revelation 5:1-12. Keys provided quiet music during reading.
Congregational Songs
The next three songs were arranged to connect in a couple of ways as noted to provide a seamless experience for the worshippers.
- Agnus Dei (key of A) – Out of the quiet music playing under the scripture reading, at the close of the reading, we immediately began to lead the opening of Agnus Dei (no formal introduction). We sang one verse, one chorus, repeated the verse, then two choruses with the last half of the final chorus with little accompaniment for the voices to ring out. We finished the song leaving off the final “amen” and building for two measures to a huge “Worthy Is the Lamb,” a cappella, from the chorus of the next song at a faster tempo.
- Worthy Is the Lamb (key of A) – the drums and then the band enter after the a cappella opening and we sing chorus, verse, chorus. We finished the song on the second “Worthy is the Lamb” (no tag) staying on a D chord and let it ring out sustained. (we used an arrangement no longer published. Check LifeWayWorship.com for great choices)
- Worthy, You Are Worthy (key of D) – in an almost spontaneous way, we then led into the simple chorus with very little accompaniment singing the chorus twice. Although in different keys, note that the last held note of Worthy Is the Lamb is the same note that this chorus begins on and is contained in a sustained D chord, which is the one chord of the new key, making an easy transition. (For this simple song, we used the SongSelect version)
Prayer Keys provided quiet music during prayer.
Tuesday Afternoon
The service began with worship.
Scripture Reading (in preparation for the following song) Psalm 15:1-6. Keys provided quiet music in key of F during reading.
Congregational Song – Doxology (God Be Praised) (key of F)
As soon as the reading concluded, the acoustic guitar began the introduction. We did this as written.
Prayer Keys provided quiet music during prayer.
Congregational Song – When We All Get to Heaven (key of A)
This was a celebration song with a fresh arrangement from Tommy Walker’s Generation Hymns 2 collection. Check out all three collections as well at Prism Music. You need a good fiddle player for this one! We modified this slightly to work it out for our group.
Tuesday Evening
The service began with worship.
Congregational Song: New Name Written Down in Glory (key of D)
This song was done the previous night with the NCBSO, but since it is a newer song, I planned to do it again on Tuesday night. The arrangement was the same as the first night, just a different soloist since we did not have the NCBSO with us.
Prayer Keys provided quiet music during prayer.
Congregational Song – Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me (key of C)
We did this as indicated in the LifeWayWorship arrangement.
Business Session
Congregational Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (key of F)
Scripture was read over the introduction to this song and we did three stanzas with a ritard at the end of stanza three and sustained the final chord.
Congregational Song – Great Are You Lord (key of F)
In a spontaneous way, the congregation was led to begin singing the bridge of this song–“all the earth will shout your praise.” The final phrase of the previous song was “Lord of all” going into “all the earth.” There is a word and key connection making the transition work very well. We sang the song as written from the beginning of the bridge to the end and had a brief prayer over the outro.
Scripture Reading Keys provided quiet music during the reading in the key of A. These were selected passages on the goodness of God to set up the next song.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6)
Good and upright is the Lord. (Psalm 25:8)
And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” (Ezra 3:11)
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting. (Psalm 100:4-5)
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:8-9)
Congregational Song: Goodness of God (key of A)
The acoustic guitar began the intro as the last passage was completed and the congregation began to sing. We used this arrangement as written.
Congregational Song – God You’re So Good (key of A)
In a spontaneous way, the congregation is led to begin singing the chorus from this song three times in the low register. The final time is only accompanied by quiet pads to let the voices ring out.
Sermon
Congregational Song – Great Are You Lord (key of F)
In a way to close our meetings, the congregation is led to once again begin singing the bridge of this song–“all the earth will shout your praise.” We sang the song as written from the beginning of the bridge to the end.
Additional Resources
Check out these notes for our band and vocal team.
Some things may have changed slightly in the last days of prep, but this will give you a general plan for our group.
