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In many denominations of the Christian Church, a Church usher is the first official representative seen when entering the church. The role of the usher in church is a volunteer position, and is often considered one of honor, particularly if the church or a church committee member selects an usher by nomination.

History[link]

The concept of an Usher is not new. In the Old Testament, there were positions addressed as "Doorkeepers" or "Gatekeepers", and their roles were very similar.^{(2 Kings 22:4) (1 Chronicles 9:17-27) (Psalms 84:10)}

• Jesus' disciples can be considered ushers, in the sense that they:
  • Prepared the way for Jesus.
  • Kept order among those listening to Christ.
  • Served food to the audience.
  • Cleaning up after a service, such as the Feeding of the Five Thousand.

This section requires expansion.

In modern times[link]

In modern times, the church usher has many duties. Depending on the church's denomination, size, and preferences, ushers may perform all, some, or a few of the following.

• Greet people entering the service
• Seat attendees (though it is common for attendees to seat themselves)
• Collect the tithes and offering
• Keeps order at the entrance
• Cleans and prepare the Church
• Count people in service
• Distributing and collecting surveys (such as visitor pamphlets)
• Distribute bulletins and service programmes
• Prepare the altar for service.

Ushers are required to be punctual and time conscious as they are required to be in the church far earlier than the rest of the congregation, who may still be at Sunday school or before or during sabbath school. Since they are part of the service, they need to meet early in order to pray with the clergy. Adequate spiritual preparation by the usher ensures a service full of the presence of God^{[citation needed]}.

Misconduct[link]

The following behaviors are among those deemed inappropriate while ushering.

• Dress inappropriately (e.g. tight or short clothing, immodest apparel)
• Force a hug when greeting
• Separate families when seating them
• Rudeness
• Sexual misconduct
• Swearing

Christian Living[link]

Ushers, as the ones who stand at the door, greet, and distribute pamphlets, can be considered an ambassador for the church, and a key part in the Body of Christ. The role is supposed to continue long after the church has adjourned. The life of an usher should be an example of Christian living in everyday life. Daily conduct should be in line with the word of the Christian God, the Bible, and the Ministry of Jesus.

See also[link]

Christianity portal

• Education for Ministry

External links[link]

Look up usher in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• How to Usher in a Church - wikiHow
• Plusline:Usher Ministry Description

v t e Order of the Divine Service in Lutheranism Preparatory Service Entrance hymn and Trinitarian formula (known as the Invocation) · Penitential Rite including the Confiteor and Declaration of Grace (or Asperges on Easter) Elevation of the host The Service of the Word Introit · Gloria Patri · Kýrie · Gloria · Dominus Vobiscum · Oremus · Collect · Old Testament reading · gradual (or Responsorial Psalm) · Epistle · Alleluia (tract during Lent) · Gospel · Hymn of the day · Homily or Postil (Sermon) · Nicene Creed (Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday)  · Offertory · Prayers of the Faithful The Service of the Eucharist Preface (Sursum corda / Sanctus / Hosanna) · Eucharistic Prayer (Epiclesis / Words of Institution / Memorial Acclamation) · Lord's Prayer · Sign of peace / pax (elevation)  · Agnus Dei  · Distribution  · Nunc dimittis  · Postcommunion  · Benedicamus Domino  · Benediction  · Dismissal · Ite missa est Participants Acolyte · bishop · cantor · choir · crucifer · deacon · elder · laity · lector · Pastor (or Priest) · usher Parts of the Sanctuary altar · altar bell · altar crucifix · altar rails · kneeler · piscina · processional cross · tabernacle Candles altar candle · paschal candle · sanctuary lamp · votive candle Liturgical vessels ciborium · chalice · cruet · Liturgical objects collection basket · holy water · incense (use) · paten · sacramental bread (wafer) · sacramental wine · thurible Vestments alb · chasuble · dalmatic · geneva gown · humeral veil · stole · surplice · tunicle · Liturgical books and hymnals Agenda · Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book · Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary · Evangelical Lutheran Worship · Lutheran Book of Worship · Lutheran Hymnal · Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement · Lutheran Service Book · Lutheran Worship · Service Book and Hymnal Lutheranism Portal

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The Walls are an Irish rock band. They were formed in 1998 by two ex-members of The Stunning.

Members[link]

• Steve Wall
• Joe Wall
• Carl Harms (Guitar/Keyboards) (left February 2004)
• Rory Doyle (Drums)
• Jon O'Connell (Bass) (joined February 2004)

Biography[link]

1998–2000[link]

Brothers Steve and Joe Wall (previously of The Stunning) returned to Ireland after a two-year failed label stint in London. Their Camden housemate Carl Harms joined the band on guitar and keyboard duties. Drummer Rory Doyle joined soon afterwards. They set up their own label, Earshot Records (later changing it to Dirtbird Records) and recorded and released a string of singles. A remix of one of the album tracks, "Bone Deep", clicked with radio and became a nationwide hit. Many of the songs have featured on a number of TV series and feature films such as Bachelors Walk, Dead Bodies, Goldfish Memory and On the Edge (starring Cillian Murphy).

2001–2004[link]

The Walls heard rumour of a second Slane Castle date for U2 (as the first concert had sold out in hours). They sent four copies of their album to the band. Bono loved it and offered The Walls a support slot. That day the band played to their biggest crowd to date – around 80,000 people. "To the Bright and Shining Sun" was their next single. That June they supported Red Hot Chili Peppers. They spent the next year gigging while building their own studio in Dublin.

In February 2004, original member Carl Harms decided to leave the band to make his own record. They recruited bassist Jon O’Connell, who had just 2 weeks to learn all the songs before a two week tour of the new EU accession states: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. "To the Bright and Shining Sun" also featured on the EA Sports soundtrack for the UEFA Euro 2004 official licenced game.

2004 - 2006[link]

For the next album, the band went to Studio Black Box in France to record with producer and ex-The Frames guitarist David Odlum. Originally scheduled for a release date in September 2004, The Walls decided to hold their album until the new year. U2 were releasing How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb that autumn and according to Steve "we thought that it would be a fair and gentlemanly gesture to stand back and give them a fair crack of the whip, so to speak".^{[citation needed]}

In October 2004, they released a taster - "Drowning Pool" - a blistering, spleen-venting, blues explosion, 2min 52sec long. It took people by surprise and divided opinion - exactly what the band wanted. They supported Bob Dylan to a capacity crowd in Galway that summer and played a storming set that showed there were changes afoot in The Walls sound. They christened the album New Dawn Breaking after the final track on the record. It went straight into the Irish charts at No. 5 in its first week of release in June 2005 and has produced four hit singles: "To the Bright and Shining Sun", "Passing Through", "Drowning Pool" and "Black and Blue".

2007[link]

The band kicked off 2007 with a gig in Dubai and are presently negotiating gig offers in France, Italy, the Czech Republic and China. They also supported Crowded House on their Australian comeback tour before retreating into their studio to work on album number three.

2010 - 2012[link]

In 2010, the double A-side "Carrying The Fire"/"Phantom Power" was released. Following this, in March 2011, the "Bird In A Cage" EP was released, of which the title track was revealed to also be on the bands forthcoming album "Stop The Lights", which is to be released in 2012. Following this announcement, the band's new single "Stop The Lights" was released in January 2012. The band are currently using the innovative "Fund It" in order to finish their third album. The welcome newcomer Kevin Crowley from Newcastle West playing the spoons.

Discography[link]

	"To the Bright and Shining Sun" (2002) noicon From the 2005 album " New Dawn Breaking".
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Studio albums[link]

• Hi-Lo (released May 2000).
• New Dawn Breaking (released June 2005) (reached No. 5 in Irish charts)
• Stop The Lights (released 2012)

Singles and albums[link]

• "The Night I Called It A Day" (Single, released Feb 1999)
• "Broken Boy" (Single, released Sept 1999)
• "Something's Wrong" (Single, released Apr 2000)
• Hi-Lo (Album, released May 2000). A remix of one of the album tracks, Bone Deep, was popular in Ireland. Some songs featured on TV series and feature films: Bachelors Walk, Dead Bodies, Goldfish Memory and On the Edge (starring Cillian Murphy).

• "To the Bright and Shining Sun" (Single, released 2002) reached No. 11 in the Irish charts.
• "Drowning Pool" (single, released 2004)
• New Dawn Breaking (Album, released June 2005) reached No. 5 in Irish charts and has produced four hit singles: "To the Bright and Shining Sun", "Passing Through", "Drowning Pool" and "Black and Blue".

• "Carrying the Fire" / "Phantom Power" (double-A sided single, released Jun 2010)
• "Bird In A Cage EP" (4 Track EP, released Mar 2011)

Cover versions[link]

• Cover version of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 1
• Cover version of Natasha Bedingfield's "These Words" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2
• Cover version of U2's "With or without you" on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 3

Career highlights[link]

• Supported U2 at Slane Castle, 2001
• Supported Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2002
• Supported Bob Dylan, Galway, 2005
• Supported Crowded House, Australia, 2007

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official band website, contains free MP3s; gig info, photos, Walls shop, press releases etc.
• The Walls at MySpace, contains some sample MP3s.

Kimberly Burrell ^[1] is an American gospel singer from Houston, Texas. She calls her musical style jazz gospel. Though she is comparatively new to the gospel music industry, having only performed since 1989, she has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the genre, often said to be "this generation's Ella Fitzgerald".^[2] In 2010, she founded The Love & Liberty Fellowship COGIC, where she serves as Pastor/Overseer & Bishop.

Biography[link]

Life and career[link]

Though Burrell battled double pneumonia for eight years as a child,^[3] she performed her first solo with the church choir at the age of only one year old singing Andraé Crouch's "Hallelujah Praise".^[4] She is the daughter of a pastor in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Burrell began her gospel career proper performing with Reverend James Cleveland's GMWA Youth Mass Choir (also known as Rev. James Cleveland's Kids), Trinity Temple Full Gospel Mass Choir of Dallas and The Inspirational Sounds Mass Choir of Houston.^[4]

In 1996, she appeared on Ricky Dillard & New G's "Worked It Out" album, as the feature on the reprise of "Jesus Paid It All", which is credited as the turning point of her national career.

Her first independent album, Try Me Again, was released on the Texas-based boutique label Pearl Records in 1995. Though limited distribution kept the album from nationwide recognition, it did build a strong reputation that led to her being signed to Tommy Boy Gospel and the now-classic Everlasting Life, produced by Asaph Alexander Ward. The album performed well and peaked at #12 on the Billboard Gospel Charts.^[4]

Quickly becoming known as a virtuoso vocalist and pianist, it seemed only logical to produce a live album, which Burrell recorded in November 2000 at the annual COGIC Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Though the recording of the concert was widely said to be troubled, requiring notably some overdubs and post-production, the resulting Live In Concert album released in 2001 satisfied eager fans and earned Burrell a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Album in 2002.

Though her then-label Tommy Boy Gospel closed shortly after the release of Live In Concert, by 2002, she had already signed a recording contract with Elektra Records^[5] who had newly considerable success in the gospel market with signing Yolanda Adams and Karen Clark Sheard. Unfortunately, this contract yielded only a guest appearance on the all-star gospel track Missy Elliott-produced "Higher Ground" which first appeared as a bonus track on Missy's album Miss E... So Addictive,^[6] but was later featured on Karen Clark Sheard's 2nd Chance album.

Since that time, Burrell has become a wife and mother to a son by the name of Christian. She has continued to perform live and to collaborate with other artists. Though only intermittently active as a recording artist, Burrell has established and hosts the Ephesians 4 conference annually to show up-and-coming singers, dancers and other artists how to improve the quality of their craft.

At the close of a gospel industry retreat hosted by Dr. Bobby Jones, a local woman named Kathleen Goodin had stopped breathing, prompting a call for paramedics, as well as a call for prayer. While CPR procedures were underway, Burrell initiated a healing prayer. After escorting Goodin out on a stretcher, those remaining were informed that the woman had died. Adamant about praying with the woman again, Burrell followed the ambulance to the hospital. When she finally convinced medical staff to allow her to pray with the woman a second time, reportedly Burrell prayed "Kathleen Goodin, take off your grave clothes." By the time Burrell left the hospital, the woman was miraculously breathing on her own.^[7] The article's reporter later exclaimed, "if I ever get sick, somebody call Kim Burrell!"^[8]

Widespread influence[link]

Burrell was featured in a half-hour MTV special From The Church To The Charts in conjunction with the gospel themed motion picture Fighting Temptations. Among those who count Burrell as an influence are such contemporaries as Jessica Simpson,^[9] Beyoncé Knowles and Faith Evans. In 2004, Burrell made an unlikely guest turn along with Kelly Price on R. Kelly's "3-Way Phone Call" playing the part of Price's "prayer partner" in the soap-opera-like song.^[10]

There are many instances of established artists who laud Burrell:

• Chaka Khan deemed Kim Burrell "one of the most interesting voices I've heard in a long while".^[11]
• After expressing an interest in gospel music, pop singer Nelly Furtado purchased Burrell's Everlasting Life on recommendation from Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams.^[12]
• In a recent interview on XM Satellite Radio, Harry Connick, Jr. said of Burrell, "if she's not the greatest musical mind I've ever been around, she's certainly up at the top of the list." Burrell appears on Connick, Jr.'s 2008 album, What a Night! A Christmas Album.

This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Please see the talk page for more information. (December 2009)

Continuing her trend of affecting artists both inside and outside the realm of gospel music, Kim Burrell will make an appearance on a new album by funk pioneer George Clinton on the original song "Mathematics of Love" from a new album of covers entitled George Clinton and Some Gangsters of Love on September 16, 2008.^[13]

Music[link]

Kim Burrell's musical impact is widespread: she has released two new recordings (2009's No Ways Tired and 2011's The Love Album) since 2001's Live In Concert and nearly a decade has passed since her 1998 national debut Everlasting Life. Details of new recordings have periodically surfaced, some of which are listed below:

• In 2001, shortly after the release of Live In Concert, Kim Burrell was said to be working with Stevie Wonder, Deitrick Haddon, Chaka Khan, and Eric Dawkins on a new studio album.^[3]

• The long-awaited gospel compilation from Bad Boy Entertainment was slated to release May 8, 2001 featuring Kim Burrell, John P. Kee, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, and Vickie Winans among other performers. To date, the project has still not been released^[14] and is rumored shelved indefinitely.

• Burrell collaborated with Tonéx in 2004 on some recordings for a new album.^[15]

• Since August 2006, according to Sony Gospel president Tara Griggs-McGee, the anticipated new studio album from Kim Burrell has been turned to plans for a live recording, though no date has been set. The live album may include several studio tracks already recorded.^[16] However, since the time of that article, Sony Gospel has been merged into Columbia Records and Griggs-McGee is no longer with either label.^[17]

• An interview^[18] revealed that Burrell is planning a live recording at the Lincoln Jazz Center in New York City on December 11 and 13, 2008.^[19]

• Burrell also revealed on April 26, 2009, on K.I.N.G.(Kingdom Inspiration for a Now Generation) Talk Radio that she is planning a second 2009 album release: "...who knows...actually I plan to put out another album before the year is out..."-Kim Burrell.

Burrell released her first studio album in 11 years, entitled No Ways Tired on April 7, 2009 through Shanachie Records.^[20] The album will feature covers of classic gospel songs like "My Faith Looks Up To Thee", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "O Lamb Of God" and "I Surrender All", as well as the classic James Cleveland song after which the album is named.^[21]

On May 17, 2011, her highly anticipated The Love Album was released on Shanachie Records. In its first week after being releasted, it was #5 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, #166 on the Billboard 200 chart, and was the #2 most downloaded Gospel album on iTunes. The Love Album was widely acclaimed for the vocal ingenuity displayed by Ms. Burrell and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album and two Stellar Awards for Contemporary Female of the Year and Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, the latter of which she won. The lead single "Sweeter" also won the 2012 Dove Award for Urban Recorded Song of the Year.

Selected discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Try Me Again (Pearl, 1995)
• Everlasting Life (Tommy Boy Gospel, 1998)
• Live In Concert (Tommy Boy Gospel, 2001)
• No Ways Tired (Shanachie, 2009)^[20]
• The Love Album (Shanachie, 2011)

Singles[link]

• "Special Place" (Bad Boy Entertainment, 2001)^[22]

Videos[link]

• Live In Concert (VHS) (Tommy Boy Gospel, 2001)

Other[link]

Awards[link]

• 2000 Gospel Music Excellence Award, Female Vocalist of the Year - Contemporary for Everlasting Life^[23]
• 2000 Stellar Award, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year for Everlasting Life^[24]
• 2012 Stellar Award, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year for The Love Album^[25]
• 2012 Stellar Award, Contemporary Female of the Year for The Love Album^[26]
• 2012 Dove Award, Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Sweeter"^[27]

References[link]

External links[link]

• BackstageWithKim.com - Official site
• Kim Burrell Ministries - Official site
• Kim Burrell Former Official Sony Music Website
• Kim Burrell at the Internet Movie Database
• Kim Burrell at Allmusic