MONDAY’S PRAYER
By paul | October 9, 2008
An inspirational note from Paul Koleske - Monday’s Prayer
Hello Everyone:
Thought I’d share a beautiful writing for your contemplation. I’ve had this writing for over 20 years. It’s taken from a little booklet titled; Wherever You Are God Is. It’s something to use to start your week off right. After the joy of weekend worship there is always much to do, and sometimes things weigh heavy on your mind.
Your job is to think clearly through each situation that presents itself. Do what you can. Then make sure you’re not "holding on too tight". God is with you, helping you, through everything. There’s an art to letting go and letting God. You’ll know when you really have trust & faith in God because you’ll feel it!
A Monday Prayer
In every situation that confronts me, I turn within to My Father; I trust to His guidance.
There is a wisdom within you that is capable of guiding you through any difficulty. When you put your faith in its guidance it will come to your rescue and illumine your darkness. "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matt. 6:8) And if you trust in Him He will fill your needs perfectly.
You do not have to work out your problems alone, for God in you is your sure help and strength from one moment to the next. He is not passively standing by, waiting for you to come to Him, but His loving presence is within you. No matter what your mistakes, God loves you. No matter what your plight, He will guide you to freedom.
If you have been racking your brain trying to arrive at some decision, quietly trust to His wisdom and give Him a chance to show you what is right. If without success you have been trying to overcome some difficulty, stop trying so hard and trust Him to show you the way.
Thou dost guide me with thy counsel. – Psalms 73:24
May God bless you and yours today and always!
Sincerely,
Paul Koleske
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Immaculate Conception (St. Mary’s) West Bend – Wisconsin
By paul | September 29, 2008
Sometime earlier this past summer, Father Michael Moran invited me to visit his parish of the Immaculate Conception of St. Mary.
Yesterday, September 28, 2008, I gave a concert in the church to an enthusiastic group. It helped that the Brewers won, everyone was wondering, as I delayed the start of the concert 5 minutes to wait until the final score could be announced! Once the announcement of the WIN was made, the entire crowd sang the chorus of “THANK YOU LORD”, the title track to my latest CD! It was very fun!!!
As usual, I enjoyed the people, the place, and the performing of the Holy Spirit. We were all “lifted up” with music and the spoken word…
A video and audiotape was professionally recorded to try to capture some video clips and sound bytes to share online for those inquiring of my services. Hopefully, these clips and bytes will be available soon on paulkoleske.com
At concert’s end, so many shared their stories of faith as the church filled with inspired energy that only the Spirit within can manufacture!
Thank you one and all, for the warm welcome and fellowship!
May the Peace of Christ be with you now and forever……..Paul Koleske
Topics: General | 1 Comment »
St. John Brebeuf is a high-spirit parish indeed!
By paul | September 24, 2008
I had the pleasure of bringing my Music/Speaking ministry to St. John Brebeuf Catholic Church in Niles, IL this past weekend of September 20 & 21.
St. John’s has a beautiful church, a fantastic music program, and most importantly a beautiful spirit!
After attending 6 weekend Masses and witnessing thousands of faith-filled parishioners participating in the liturgies, I was struck all over again with the impact that Christ has on the world!
Once again the concert series, I have the privilege of providing, increased my own faith being in the presence of so many like-minded souls!
I’d like to give a special thanks to Fr. Thomas May (Pastor) for inviting me to St. John’s.
I’d like to thank the three music ministers that helped me fit into their liturgical plans namely; Ed Lally, who plays the organ with an “extra flair”, Mariusz Kolsa, who plays and sings with the excellent cantor at both Polish Masses, and Carol Zolinski, who does a fantastic job with the children’s choir!
I had never heard the Mass in Polish before and it was a very touching experience!
Last, and certainly not least, I’d like to thank all the parishioners at St. John’s for their support and positive feedback!
God Bless each and everyone of you now and always on your walk of faith….
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A Wonderful Weekend in Port Huron, MI!
By paul | September 16, 2008
A heartfelt thank you to all the staff and parishioners at St. Stephen’s and St Joseph’s churches in Port Huron Michigan! You all made it such a wonderful visit for me….
I came away with the feeling that it’s time to record another CD, not of the music variety, but of the spoken word that introduces each song during the concert. As if my to do list wasn’t big enough already!!!
I am always amazed as I learn of special stories and circumstances that people experience to confirm or deepen their faith. God Bless each and everyone in your faith community!
The totally “live versions” of THANK YOU LORD and TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS was a surprise change for me and it worked well- again, thanks to all who helped.
It’s such a boost to see congregations with such vibrant energy respond to the concert weekend setting!
Until next time……May the Peace of Christ be with you now and always!!!
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How Paul Koleske adds his music to the Mass!
By paul | September 10, 2008
As a Contemporary Christian musician who is Catholic, I take great care in trying to make a contribution to each Mass I play at.
To keep my music as an addition or contribution to the Mass (rather than a performance or sideshow), I play a song entitled ‘CELEBRATE THE MASS” as a prelude to the Mass. The song is 4 minutes long so it begins 4 minutes before the Mass starts. Some churches I visit have announcements before Mass begins so that is taken into consideration as well.
When I visit a parish, the Music Director/Liturgist and his/her cantors conduct all of the Mass parts just like any Sunday. I am allowed to do the Offertory and Communion songs. For greater congregation participation I may do a Communion meditation instead of the Communion song.
For those Music Directors/Liturgists that want the congregation to sing at all times, I do an Offertory song entitled ‘THANK YOU LORD’, and I can have the congregation sing the chorus with me. The chorus is very easy to learn and I can teach it to them before Mass begins.
Sometimes parish leadership is totally opposed to bringing in anyone “from outside the parish” for a special event, especially when the individual wants to introduce their music to the parishioners through participation in the Mass. This is so sad.
There are thousands and thousands of gifted Music Directors/Liturgists in the united states of America! And with all due respect (if you shy away from “sharing the music platform at Mass”), I ask you to reconsider what it would mean to allow just one or two songs, on one weekend, out of the whole year or several years, to allow your congregation to experience a special addition of a fellow Catholic’s expression of our shared faith. I bet Jesus would say; “include him”, to hear how His inspiration is manifested in song through one of His sheep.
I believe that’s why God allows more than one radio station on every one’s radio dial.
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Check out this Contemporary Christian CD!
By paul | September 1, 2008
If you want a contemporary Christian CD with great sounds and strong lyrical content, you need to listen to my latest CD; THANK YOU LORD.
I’ve always thought it made sense to be able to clearly hear the words in songs. That’s why I have the vocals “placed up front” in each of the thirteen songs on the THANK YOU LORD CD. The upfront vocals are clear and people say I have a vocal tone similar to James Taylor. If that is the case then you know the lyrical content of each song is delivered with a very soothing feel.
In my church concert series I speak about the deeper spiritual meaning behind the words and it adds so much to the listening experience. I hope you can come out to one of my concerts when I am in your area.
You can look and listen to what I do by going to paulkoleske.com
Even though I’ve been a Contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and speaker for a number of years, my entry into the cyberside of the arena has been relatively recent.
The next time I blog it will focus on my Youth Ministry series. Until then take care and God Bless!!!
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Have a Christian Singer – Songwriter – Speaker come to your church!
By paul | August 25, 2008
Have you ever had a special event in your church that consisted of a Christian singer, songwriter, and speaker coming in and doing an afternoon or evening of reflection of music and the spoken word?
In my travels I visit many churches that do and the people in the congregation love it!
Your congregation needs a change of pace from time to time.
Hearing new music and another slant on topics akin to living a Christian lifestyle today help people reconnect, in another, hopefully deeper, way with their spiritual side.
Whether you’re a ministry department head at your church, or simply a member of your congregation, consider the music and speaking ministry of Paul Koleske.
To learn more about this Christian singer, songwriter and speaker go to paulkoleske.com right now. Then, take a look (and a listen) at a ministry that inspires Christians to embrace the gifts that God has given them and experience an increase in faith to serve others in Christ’s name!
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Special Event Budgeting
By paul | August 18, 2008
I’m running into many churches that are venturing into the arena of hosting special events for their congregations.
Sometimes budget concerns keep an event from happening, an event that would have given extra “spirit” to the family of any given church. When this is the case, consider doing a combination event.
A combination event is when two or more departments (ministries) of the church each sponsor the event. The upside is that it is easier to afford and your congregation gets 2 special events while the artist or presenter is in town for that time period.
Some sample combination events are bring an artist in to do Youth Ministry while having that same person present to the congregation at large on the next day or evening. Thus, Youth Ministry and the Music/Liturgy departments can co-host an event weekend or two day event splitting the appearance stipend and travel expense of the person coming in to present/perform.
Faith/Adult Formation and Youth Ministry is yet another combination that might work well with many churches.
In addition, two or three nearby churches could sponsor an event along with the same departments in other neighboring churches helping to minimize the outlay while offering a quality presentation to all concerned.
The is always a way to make a special event happen at your church!
If you need to discuss how this might apply to your situation, feel free to contact Paul Koleske @ 262-939-7456!
Paul is a Christian Singer and Speaker and has special event solutions for your church!!!
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Contemporary Christian Music/Speaking Ministry
By paul | August 11, 2008
Paul Koleske gives a double presentation when he performs his contemporary Christian music at churches throughout the united states of America.
Earlier this summer in Portage Michigan (a few miles from Kalamazoo) Paul Koleske gave the audience at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic church a full look and listen at his Christian music/speaking ministry.
When you see Paul Koleske in concert you’re really seeing a combination of his musicianship and his gift for speaking.
One concert goer said; “This was just as much an evening of reflection as it was a musical event. I came expecting the music but was surprised when Mr. Koleske’s spoken word moved me very deeply!”
After the concert it became clear to those in attendance that Koleske has the ability to conduct parish missions as well as youth ministry events at churches large and small across the country.
Mike Kiebel, Director of Music and Artistic Director of the Siena Arts Program had this to say; “It is rare to find someone who is not only a musician, but also one who knows what it means to minister to others through music. Following paul Koleske’s appearance at liturgy, and again following his concert, many people mentioned to me how his powerful original music, as well as his faith which inspired it, touched them. This is indeed ministry in the truest sense of the word. God has blessed Paul with gifts of musicianship, ministry and witness, and we appreciate his sharing them with our faith community!”
To inquire about Paul’s dual ministry go to http://www.paulkoleske.com to learn how your church can benefit from this Christian music/speaking ministry.
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The Concerts were Fun!!!
By paul | July 17, 2007
Thanks to all who came out to the concerts on July 1st, at St. Joseph’s, and July 8th , at St. Paul’s in Racine.
It was good to see so many familiar faces again and meet many new people.
What amazes me are the stories that people share with me. Stories of faith always inspire me and stir the Spirit within.
Many of you are emailing and commenting on the music contained within THANK YOU LORD. Thanks for your support and know that I am humbled to have the Holy Spirit’s music run through me at this time.
I am in the process of setting up more concerts in the Racine area. If you have any suggestions/referrals as to where I should play please let me know.
Until next time………………….May God Bless You beyond your fondest dreams! Love, Paul.
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