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For more information about leading worship please read How to Lead Worship.

The Beatitudes of Franciscan University of Steubenville are a male Catholic a cappella group, whose mission is to spread the Gospel through music and comedy.
I had them come to my youth group once and the made a great impact on the youth.  If you need help with a retreat or an evening of fun, ask them to come.

I have put together some resources that I used while working for dioceses across the country to correct the usual problems.  These types of groups frustrate me, too.  I do believe this is the correct label to call these groups, but I would never call myself a ‘folk musician.’   Nor when I was at Franciscan University would I call them ‘folk groups.’

There are three problems that I saw consistently throughout the diocese with music groups. Poor or inappropriate song selection, poor performance, and lack of regard for liturgical norms.  I believe these problems are inherent to any music ministry, but are much easier to see in music ministry that organ is not the main instrument.

Here are three quick remedies that may help:

1.  Franciscan University Canticle Hymnal – Franciscan University published a guitar/piano accompaniment hymnal that carries the approval of the Committee on the Liturgy, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (This is written on the 2nd page of the book).  This eliminates the problem of playing secular music at mass.  Often times musical ministry groups are not aware of high quality music and stick to playing what they can ‘get their hands.’  This is found at www.franciscan.edu.

2.  Be Perfect – Many times there is little emphasis placed on a musicians talent and only on their willingness to give of their time.  Strict standards are required to lead music at Mass.  For example in college auditions were required, mandatory two hour practices, music ministry guidelines were published, and annual retreats for formation.  In addition there were two leaders who actively oversaw all music selection, ministry teams, and taught through example.

3.  Liturgical Norms – Musicians are constantly breaking norms because often times they do not know them.  A simple way to alleviate this problem is by creating packets of do’s and don’ts.

There can be many distractions from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and music should not be one of them.  Formation of music ministers is essential to proper ministry.  When I was younger I made many mistakes that today I would never repeat.  However this is only because I finally was in an environment with exceptional musicians who lead music from their heart and their heart was formed in Christ.

Begin with a Prayer - Give glory to God and invite Him into your hearts
“Brothers, we come to worship the Lord, like the Psalms say, ‘awake lyre and harp, with joy I will awake the dawn!‘”

The worship team, in addition to practicing, must also pray so the time is focused on the Lord and not themselves

Uplifting Songs – Before the priest exposes the Eucharist more upbeat songs help people cast off their cares so they can enter in.

Possible Song Choices
Let the Fire Fall (Canticle Song Book)
Your Grace is Enough
O Praise Him (David Crowder Band
Holy is the Lord (Chris Tomlin)
Mighty to Save (Hillsong)
Into Marvelous LIght (Charlie Hall)
Stronger (Hillsong)

When in doubt sing a song everyone knows – they can give their heart more easily.
When you sense the presence begins to fall it is now time to lead with the heart of Jesus.  This is the point of praise and worship. The Lord will begin to work and speak. It is important that a worship leader love Jesus and not just love to sing. David said, “How I would lead the rejoicing crowd, the throng wild with joy.”

Going into the presence a little deeper

At this point the priest may want to expose or process out with the Eucharist. Follow the liturgical norms.

Say a prayer while leading into the following songs

“This is a night for our conversion of heart! Let’s pray”Lord, I give You My Heart (Canticle)
Shout to the Lord (Canticle)
Hosanna (Hillsong)
In Your Presence (Jason Upton on Youtube)
Desert Song (Hillsong)
Agnus Dei (Charlie Hall)
More Love, More Power (Brain Doerksen)
Here I am to Worship (Canticle)
Let it Rain
Consuming Fire

Lead a Prayer

What is the Lord saying? Follow the Holy Spirit
“Holy Spirit, we just praise you We ask that your holy anointing would descend upon us right now, in Jesus’ name. You know that we need. Bless us with your presence. Heal our hearts. We worship you…brothers and sisters, let’s give our hearts completely to God. Let’s focus completely on Him now and allow Him to enter into our lives. If you haven’t given your life fully to Him, now is a great time. Let’s do it together, as we pray,

Prayer of Salvation (Renew Faith in Jesus Christ)

Lord Jesus come into my heart. I desire that you be the Lord of my life, so that I may be a Child of the Light, to know you as my personal Savior- for I know and believe that you died on the cross for my sings. You rose again from the dead on the third day and you are coming again in glory.

I believe in your forgiveness and I desire that You help me to refrain from any temptations that would keep me separated from Your everlasting love. Amen

Allow the Lord to speak

Come into My Heart (Jim Cown, Canticle)
Come, Holy Ghost
Spirit of the LIving God (Canticle)
Holy and Anointed One (Canticle)
Nothing But the Blood (Hillsong)
Breath on Me, Breath of God (Canticle)
Praise the Name of Jesus
Jesus, Name Above all Names
Heart of Worship

It is OK, to stop in the middle of songs and say “Jesus , we allow you right now to just have Your way. Brothers and sisters, lets just wait on Him, and let him speak.” Sometimes you may be led to have silence, sometimes soft music in between a verse.

This is just a starter. Franciscan University of Steubenville does this extremely well at their Festival of Praise nights. Try to go to one.

How do you lead worship?

Adoration at Steubenville