Contemporary Christian singer Natalie Grant has wowed audiences with her amazing vocals since her debut album all the way back in 1997.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, the 50-year-old Grant had an opportunity to display that range during the national anthem ahead of the Georgia-Alabama College Football Championship Game Monday evening in Indianapolis.
By Laura Schoenfelder
As crypto currency reaches an all-time popularity, some churches have begun to search for ways to accept cryptocurrency donations. Engiven, a company founded to help nonprofits, specifically churches, process crypto donations on the assumption that owners of crypto might be willing to give some of it away by setting up their personal crypto exchange market to manage the transations. The first two years since Engiven was founded, no one really had a use for their service. However, at the start of 2021, Engiven saw a small rise in customers. In April, Coinbase, a popular crypto exchange, debuted in the stock market, adding legitimacy behind the idea of cryptocurrency.
By fall, Engiven had processed about 700 donations, with more than half of them being churches. As the crypto explained by a lawyers states that selling crypto means responsibility for capital gains taxes, but if charitable donations are made, tax exemptions can be processed. This could also be why there has been an increase in crypto donations to churches.
A few members of a church that has been accepting cryptocurrency donations for a while realized the tax benefits early on. These members were involved in bitcoin (that is available in bit ai app 360) and helped set up a way to accept these digital donations. Since then, they saw an increase in donations from non-church members, most of who wanted to remain anonymous.
One problem that comes with accepting crypto from bitcoin360ai is the fluctuation of value, where a donation’s value could change within one day. One church solved that problem by immediately exchanging the crypto for tangible money. Churches do not receive money to invest it, but rather to put it to use for ministry purposes.
Another potentially bigger problem for churches is that the hassle of finding an efficient way to accept crypto donations might not be worth it. As with any new form of technology and money, It could take a while before churches are better equipped to accept these new types of donations, just as it took a while for credit cards to be accepted.
Christmas Eve services present a great opportunity to create an atmosphere that resonates with both church members and first-time guests. When planning music, aim for a balance of familiar traditions and fun new arrangements. Keep traditional Christmas song melodies and lyrics intact for singability, but feel free to get creative with modern musical elements like synth parts. Mashups with modern worship songs are a great way to bridge between old and new.
Not every Christmas song needs a modern twist though. Many traditional carols are vertical worship songs in their own right. Choose some powerful ones to incorporate. Also, build anticipation and familiarity by doing some songs repeatedly in services leading up to Christmas Eve. Then save a few special intimate songs like Silent Night for Christmas Eve exclusively.
Overall, craft an inclusive experience. Have moments that allow different groups to participate rather than just spectate, like inviting kids upfront to sing a song they learned in children’s ministry. Making room for all who come shows how Jesus makes room for everyone at His table. Simple or elaborate, keep engagement of all attendees central.
No more skimping on church media assets this Christmas! Despite strained holiday budgets, beautifully festive worship backgrounds, social graphics, printables and more await for free. Let Pixel Preacher’s snowy scenes set the tone while Ministry Designs stocks your image pantry to overflowing. Unwrap Church Marketing University’s email-exclusive bundle, then dive into Igniter Media’s wonderland of 150+ files. Church Motion Graphics’ curated Christmas cache means one less thing to scramble for. With so many stocking stuffers to explore, your services will shimmer with production value at no cost. Joyful tidings indeed! Take advantage of these merry media gifts so your screens sparkle as brightly as the star of Bethlehem.
This Christmas season, consider embracing the beauty of simplicity rather than giving in to temptations of overindulgence. Keep your holiday celebrations straightforward and modest, with intimate gatherings, abbreviated events, and traditional songs that feel nostalgic. By scaling back and focusing on the essence of the season, you can gift your loved ones the precious blessing of time and create space for relationships to flourish. In simplicity, find the sweetness.
By Shannon Lewis
Some people are simply harder to buy for than others, & as a Creative & a Worship Leader I admit that I’m one of those people. Folks like myself love gifts that help us more effectively be who we are. I’ve compiled a collection of unique, fun, & helpful “dream gifts” for the worship leader from a wide variety of price points. If someone you love serves a local church with his or her musical gifts, this list if for you.
“the Worship Pastor” (book) by Zac Hicks: Zac is Canon for Worship and Liturgy at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL, & though I haven’t yet read it (it’s on my Christmas list as well) I have read rave reviews from a number of the people I know & trust.
GREENROOM / BUS CALL VOICE TEA: Created by renowned vocal coach Diane Sheets for her Grammy, Billboard, & Dove Award winning clients, Voice Tea are a line of delicious voice-care teas. GREENROOM is made-up of a flavorful blend of Green Rooibos, dehydrated lemon, & ginger root, many current radio artists swear by it, & I’ve been using it all year. BUS CALL is for that “cool down” period, & is loaded with red rooibos, chamomile, whole dehydrated lemons & a touch of mint. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer for the vocalist you love!
THROAT SAVER, SINUS CLEAR OUT, & VOCAL RESCUE: I was turned on to these vocal health products by another excellent vocal coach, my friend Sheri Gould, & now as a regular user, I wholeheartedly endorse them. Particularly the Throat Saver & Sinus Clear Out work absolute miracles for me. I am a regular repeat customer. Highly recommended!
SNARK TUNER: I have owned many tuners but none have been as easy to use or as accurate as my Snark. Sure, they’re notoriously fragile, but at this price you can just pick up another if/when you break one! Strongly encouraged particularly for guitarists, but the Snark works great on most any instrument but piano.
D.R. SUNBEAM STRINGS: Particularly for the person who leads from the acoustic guitar. I have literally tried every make & brand of guitar string, from the old standbys to the high-end specialty strings, & D.R. SUNBEAMs are the ones I return to again & again. They’re strong (I’m a string-breaker, & these ones are the strongest), & they remain brilliant 3x longer than any other I’ve found.
WORSHIP LEADER MAGAZINE: With the TheWorshipCommunity.com having been awarded WorshipLeader magazine’s “Editors Choice” award for the 5 years in a row, we can’t help but laud their hard work as the gold-standard for Worship Leaders everywhere. A subscription not only provides helpful articles & reviews, but their Song Discovery service is a great way to discover new corporate worship songs!
LOOPTIMUS: The Christmas gifts of all Christmas gifts. Perfect as a gift from the church or from a loved one, Looptimus is THE “pedal-board” for midi-users. An ever-flexable, & elegant piece of gear, Looptimus makes it easy to control multiple software items on your laptop, iPad, or even iPhone with the simple tap of a footswitch, so you aren’t distracted from your guitar or piano playing. And if the Looptimus is outside of your price range, they recently launched the Looptimus Mini!
This season, connect deeply to the Christmas narrative through 15 free Christmas carols from Getty Music. Let rich theology, poetry, and melodies recalibrate perspectives and inspire worship of the newborn King.
Joy to the world, the Christmas season is here! For pastors, it’s a sacred chance to re-tell the nativity and share life with their flock. Though burdens come, blessings abound. Shepherding God’s people is a privilege, guiding them through pain and celebration alike. Needs become clearer now, challenging year-round service and giving. Prodigal members return, doors open for the gospel. Despite the stresses, pastors have much to celebrate this year. Gather round the manger once more. Let carols ring, fill hampers for the poor, and tend your weary soul. The Christ child comes anew! His birth story overflows with tidings of comfort and joy. Drink deeply of its hope this season.
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