For some time now we have wanted to host a weekend workshop specifically for our Sunday musicians. We are well served by talented and church-loving musicians each Lord’s Day and this is a way of investing in them spiritually and in the practical work of leading congregational singing as a team. That’s what we’re doing the second week of April with the help of our guest song-leader, Drew Hodge, Worship Pastor at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, NM.
Redemption Songs in the Morning,
Hymns in the Afternoon
On Sunday morning, April 11, we will hear the Word preached from the oldest song in the Bible, the Song of Moses, from Exodus 15. This will be the first installment in a periodic series we’ll call, Redemption Songs, in which we work through the songs embedded in the Bible’s story of redemption. That morning we will be led by Drew and our musicians.
That afternoon, at 4:30 PM we will host our first Hymn Sing. Drew and our musicians will lead us in singing our faith for an hour or so. Bring the family and plan to sing out. You might hear some new arrangements and sounds.
Meet Drew Hodge
Drew Hodge is a dear friend of mine (Trent) as we served together for seven years and met weekly with our families for our Community Group during that time. I’m eager for you all to meet him and for Drew to hear you sing. In view of this visit, I asked Drew if he’d write up a little bio of himself. Here’s his story:
I’m a husband to Crissie for 15 years, father to five kids (Arabella 12, Priest 10, Kanon 9, Halliday 7, Arrow 4), and Worship Pastor at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the last eleven years.
Music and church always went together for me. My dad was a Southern Baptist Pastor for most of my life and my mother a talented musician. Growing up homeschooled by a musical mother meant that music was an expected discipline. I learned to sing and play piano as sure as read and write. By the age of 15 the Lord had placed in me a deep desire to serve the church in music and I haven’t ever pursued anything else.
Through high-school and college (Where I studied Vocal Performance) I labored to grow as a musician in order to serve the local church. Music and the church are both wonderful gifts, but one serves the other. Music is not a end in and of itself, but a means to the glorious end of God’s worship in the church.
Writing songs for the church has helped me to appreciate the church’s voice and learn the church’s heart. Letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly through singing together, as a church, has been one of my life’s greatest joys. By His grace it will continue to be for as long as He allows.
