Joe Pace
Sunday Morning Service
Integrity Gospel
19 tracks @ 65:13

Joe Pace remembers his days of service as a music minister. According to his PR material, Pace would sit at the organ and try to “think of what song we were going to do for the offering, or the alter call. . . . Then God gave me the idea to record a project that actually walks you through a typical Sunday morning service.”

This is the third Pace project in a series meant to serve as a worship resource for churches and individuals. There are eight parts to this service, recorded live at the Consolidated Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky: Call to Worship, Praise & Worship, The Offering, Choir Selection, Communion, The Invitation, Benediction and Recessional. No, there isn’t a sermon but there is an introduction to the Offering section by Pastor Willis Polk that is far too short.

Pace says, “The songs are straight-forward and accessible to music ministries with varying levels of capability.”

The first track, “Enter In,” is soulful R&B with muted horns. “We’ve Come to Praise Him” has a funky bass and will get you out of your pew. “Our God Reigns” is in a similar vein but with repetitive verses. The new standard “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” is straightforward and with muted horns.

“Precious is the Blood” comes complete with a musical interlude for churches that serve communion to the congregation. However, I know no one from my limited world that would incorporate a Jimi Hendrix-style guitar break.

This is a good record. As an enhanced CD, it comes with lyrics, chord charts and some video segments. If anything, the record lacks some balance as, for example, there are eight songs for the Praise & Worship segment but only one for The Offering. I know that my current church is always looking for music that’s appropriate for that part of the service.

- Rob S.