Bandta

Welcome to the Furnace Worship Band post!

...we really need to think of a name, like, a.s.a.p! (Comment with suggestions, haha)

So you may be asking yourself what is it that we do? Well, we are the youth band for Furnace at WBC. We are a group that love worshipping Jesus and we love to lead others in worship too - it's our passion. Many of us are also regularly involved in the main worship band which is such a great thing to be doing. We love to step out and encourage our church in worship!

Anyway let's start by telling you a bit about band practice. Well it's an awesome way to start the week. Monday's sure aren't everyone's favourite but having practice in the evening lifts everyone's spirit. Monday is a session where we create a setlist to play at Furnace on the Sunday, but as well as this we chat, pray, laugh, jam and have fun!

Seeing the group strengthen their relationships with one another but also with God is so awesome to see and lead them in. Whatever the mood is each week we kind of roll with it, which makes it a chilled place for us all to be. Playing it by ear is lovely as some weeks we just pick random songs, sit together on the floor and jam for the whole time and other weeks we are feeling the full plugged-in effect!

I suppose now is a good time to mention who I am... 

I'm Emma and I'm the worship co-ordinator for the youth band. I am so thankful that I have been able to lead such an awesome group of people. Every single person involved with the band, has a different and unique gift from God, which makes it so special when we all play together. Having the courage to lead others and step out in faith is amazing and the group have no fear of spreading God's love.

 Now I think it's time you know who is currently part of the Furnace Worship Band... well, there are 10 people. Some are around more often than others but this means there is a varied range of musical talents involved! 

So we have: 

- Emma Matthews (Worship Co-ordinator/Leader)

- Sam Houghton (Deputy)

- Ollie Matthews

- Hannah Butcher
- Matt Chegwin

- Seona Casse

- Sarah Guy

- Jodi Tanton

- Tessa Lukkien

- Sarah Terry

- Molly Boot

So you know quite a bit about what we have a passion doing from my perspective but I wanted you to hear from a few others about what being part of the band means to them so here you are...

'Band is a family, a place to worship God not just on a Sunday. It's a time to worship, chill, laugh and pray with some amazing people. To use our talents to worship our God.' - Seona Casse

'I love band because it gives me a chance to be with amazing people and worship. Also the range of songs we do and everyone's love for Jesus.' - Sarah Terry

'I love being part of the youth band. Seeing other young people worshipping God through song and having that connection and passion for the creator is amazing. By far the most rewarding thing is allowing others to worship whilst you do. Looking out on a church of people who are dancing, singing and raising their hands...that's what worship is about.' - Sam Houghton

'I love that everyone comes to band with an attitude to praise God. There is always so much laughing and joy, but it's always rooted in God.' - Jodi Tanton

'We all get on so well and don't take it too seriously. I love that we can just jam and mess around at the practice but still play a masterpiece come Sunday evening and actually praise God! It's the perfect mix of fun and praise.' - Tessa Lukkien

Guest post written by Emma Matthews