Keith Lancaster » Praise & Harmony

Raising the Rafters in Bridgewater, New Jersey

Keith — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 01:57:05 +0000

We enjoyed a very enthusiastic reception at the Praise & Harmony workshop with the Garretson Road Church of Christ. This congregation began in 1966 as an “exodus movement,” when Christians from 16 states moved to this New Jersey area to plant a church. I enjoyed getting to meet some of the original members of the movement.

Worship with the North West’s South West Church in Tigard

Keith — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:16:56 +0000

Tigard, Oregon was the site for a Praise & Harmony workshop on Friday evening, drawing worshipers from the entire Oregon and Washington region. The South West Church is an outstanding congregation of God’s people who are dedicated to excellence. Todd Hall is very passionate in leading this congregation’s desire and drive to worship God. It was a pleasure to join them for both of the Sunday morning assemblies to lead a mix of hymns and contemporary songs. Next stops on this tour: Myrtle Creek and Medford, Oregon before the Pepperdine Lectures.

Sensational Singing in Silverdale, Washington

Keith — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:58:00 +0000

Wednesday evening was the kick-off of the Great North West Praise & Harmony tour, beginning with Silverdale, Washington. The room vibrated with enthusiastic praise as folks from the entire region gathered for the purpose of enjoying 4-part, a cappella singing and worship. After the session, we visited with many song leaders from the area. It was great to spend time with Worship Leader Institute graduate, Allen Denver. It was great to be back in this area and to visit with Christians I’ve met across the decades.

Third Verse, Faster than the First in Laurel, Maryland

Keith — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:44:02 +0000

Here’s a photo of the week of one of my favorite congregations: the Laurel Church of Christ in Laurel, Maryland. This is the church that probably broke a record in the number of new songs they learned within one year. We look forward to being with them again in 2011.

Deadline Nears to Join 2010 Recording Project

Keith — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:08:00 +0000

The deadline for auditioning your quartet for the next Praise & Harmony recording is drawing near. Here’s how it works. We are seeking talented singers from each congregation to form a quartet (one soprano, one alto, one tenor and one bass), who are willing to commit to the quartet rehearsals and individual memorization to learn the music for the next recording. These volunteers will audition by recording a song (pre-selected by Acappella Ministries) and submit the recording to John Bynum. (Note, more than one quartet may apply from any given congregation, but only a maximum of four can audition at one time.) The quartets that are accepted will focus on blend, pitch, cut offs, dynamics and specific rehearsal notes provided for the 25 contemporary worship songs of the album. These volunteers will join hundreds (we expect our largest number ever) of well-prepared singers from long distances to participate in this spine-tingling experience in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, it requires a lot of work to make the recordings the best they can be. And, because the sessions are so intense, we’re planning some extra time after the recording for some “fun” singing and all-out praise. The sweet fellowship is always a highlight for the singers who have gathered from the four corners of our country. If this sounds like something you’d like to experience, contact John Bynum at John@Acappella.com ask about details and audition requirements right away for the recording that will take place in September.

Genesis of the Praise & Harmony Workshop Ministry

Keith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:51:14 +0000

Noblesville, Indiana was the location for the very first Praise & Harmony workshop. Rex Dillinger, a Noblesville resident, inspired the launching of this ministry in more ways than one. Pictured here is a team of singers from the Madison Church of Christ who accompanied me on these trips to Indiana. God has taken those seeds and given great increase. Regarding restoring four-part a cappella singing and training worship leaders, the opportunities are universal. Thank you for praying for these efforts!

Singing a new song of praise in New Orleans, Louisiana

Keith — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:40:32 +0000

Pictured in the Photo: Sharon Lancaster, Patti and Jack Reese. This weekend, this auditorium vibrated with fervent praise as we enjoyed a wonderful workshop with the Carrollton Church of Christ. One member shared that he thought it was the best singing experience he can remember. You could not believe that this is could be the same auditorium that was heavily flooded during the Katrina hurricane damage. Christians who had taken refuge in the church building, were forced to move up to the balcony for three days before being rescued. The singing brought us closer to heaven as a good number from the Park Plaza church of Christ and others from the University church in Abilene, Texas added to our number.

Making Melody in Melbourne

Keith — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:32:30 +0000

Photo by Richard Hooi – - Christians from multiple congregations around Melbourne, Australia gathered for the second annual Autumn Songfest. The public school that was rented for this occasion echoed with heart-felt praise, as all ages joined together for this special event. Jules Cseszko did an outstanding job of facilitating this gathering, which was preceded by a Worship Leaders clinic, sponsored by the South East congregation.

Combined Sunday morning worship in Brisbane, Australia

Keith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:29:40 +0000

Redlands College was the location for a vibrant, combined assembly of God’s people in the Brisbane area, on Sunday, February 28. I have heard of many unity gatherings and combined assemblies on Sunday nights and other days of the week, but rarely do I hear of churches combining on Sunday morning. The agape atmosphere was exhilarating as we shared “a common love for each other and a common gift to the Savior.” Of course, I was encouraged by the opportunity to lead 20 songs during the service. The singing was some of the best I have ever heard. More importantly, it was obvious that people were enthusiastic about praising God and giving Him the glory He is due!

Packed House with standing room only in Sydney, Australia

Keith — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:58:22 +0000

Christians from all around the Sydney area joined together at the Mcquarrie church of Christ for an evening of spiriting singing and worship. The evening was electrified by full participation and through the spirit of unity that was enjoyed during the time of worship and fellowship. Although we have conducted workshops in Gosford two years in a row (and many of our Gosford friends were in attendance), this was the first official Praise & Harmony workshop in Sydney.