Get on the Jesus Bus
Get off on the side of the road
Get on the Jesus Bus my friend
And you can put down that heavy load
That is the chorus of the first song that the congregation of St. Margaret’s Cedar Cottage was taught by Linnea Good during her visit to the East Vancouver church during the principal Sunday service on January 16th.
The congregation picked up on the tune quickly and joined in with enthusiasm, singing in the choruses and clapping and swaying to the music during the verses.
Linnea and her partner David Jonsson are accomplished musicians.
Linnea is a worship artist, worship leader, activist and mother who is into a 20 year, 10 CD career of producing great music and leading worship in Christian churches.
According to a Press Release written by Angie Gallop:
“Linnea Good looks like she has achieved that elusive goal of having it
all. She has forged a career in a musical niche that knows and loves
her well, has helped shape her own musical community of the Christian
church and seems to be able to combine family and professional life and
not miss a beat. These accomplishments have demanded a great amount of
faith. Faith, and the courage to sing about it sets Good apart as a musician
as she deftly pulls on ancient, sacred texts and traditions to shine a light on the human condition in contemporary society. “
The service on January 16th had a reunion feel to it. Linnea pointed out in her opening comments that “God is linking us in worship.”
Many of those attending worship that morning have a long history as beneficiaries of Linnea’s skills as a music educator and worship leader. Linnea herself was reunited with her former duo partner, guitarist/vocalist Patti Powell. They began their music ministries together 23 years ago and their voices blended together, beautifully, they sounded like they had just sung those songs the week before not decades before.
David is from the neighbourhood. He grew up blocks away from the church and began his music career while a student at Gladstone Senior Secondary.
The music led by Linnea, David, Patti and members of the St. Margaret’s Music Ministry was tuneful, thoughtful, prayerful but more than anything, joyful.
A highlight of the worship was Linnea’s reflection on the Old Testament reading scheduled for that morning, Isaiah 49:1-7
She took the time to re-read the text to the congregation but with an interesting twist. She replaced all pronouns by inserting first person pronouns; you, me and my. This simple exercise in semantics transformed the meaning of the passage.
Linnea placed particular emphasis on the phrase, “The Holy One has chosen…you”
Linnea illustrated how some people feel when they are called to do “a job from God.”
She pantomimed three reactions with facial expressions and body language:
Get off on the side of the road
Get on the Jesus Bus my friend
And you can put down that heavy load
That is the chorus of the first song that the congregation of St. Margaret’s Cedar Cottage was taught by Linnea Good during her visit to the East Vancouver church during the principal Sunday service on January 16th.
The congregation picked up on the tune quickly and joined in with enthusiasm, singing in the choruses and clapping and swaying to the music during the verses.
Linnea and her partner David Jonsson are accomplished musicians.
Linnea is a worship artist, worship leader, activist and mother who is into a 20 year, 10 CD career of producing great music and leading worship in Christian churches.
According to a Press Release written by Angie Gallop:
“Linnea Good looks like she has achieved that elusive goal of having it
all. She has forged a career in a musical niche that knows and loves
her well, has helped shape her own musical community of the Christian
church and seems to be able to combine family and professional life and
not miss a beat. These accomplishments have demanded a great amount of
faith. Faith, and the courage to sing about it sets Good apart as a musician
as she deftly pulls on ancient, sacred texts and traditions to shine a light on the human condition in contemporary society. “
David Jonsson is one of the finest drummers to emerge from the Vancouver music scene of the 1960,s, 70,s and 80’s. For the past two decades he has posted an impressive resume, not just through his work with Linnea but also gracing the support bands of entertainers like Fred Penner and
Charlotte Diamond.
The service on January 16th had a reunion feel to it. Linnea pointed out in her opening comments that “God is linking us in worship.”
Many of those attending worship that morning have a long history as beneficiaries of Linnea’s skills as a music educator and worship leader. Linnea herself was reunited with her former duo partner, guitarist/vocalist Patti Powell. They began their music ministries together 23 years ago and their voices blended together, beautifully, they sounded like they had just sung those songs the week before not decades before.
David is from the neighbourhood. He grew up blocks away from the church and began his music career while a student at Gladstone Senior Secondary.
The music led by Linnea, David, Patti and members of the St. Margaret’s Music Ministry was tuneful, thoughtful, prayerful but more than anything, joyful.
A highlight of the worship was Linnea’s reflection on the Old Testament reading scheduled for that morning, Isaiah 49:1-7
She took the time to re-read the text to the congregation but with an interesting twist. She replaced all pronouns by inserting first person pronouns; you, me and my. This simple exercise in semantics transformed the meaning of the passage.
Linnea placed particular emphasis on the phrase, “The Holy One has chosen…you”
Linnea illustrated how some people feel when they are called to do “a job from God.”
She pantomimed three reactions with facial expressions and body language:
- Slumping and despondent
- Recoiling with fear
- Arms raised and jubilant with a big smile.
Linnea opined that she would rather have a job from God than a job that “includes God.”
This was a great segue into the core message of her reflection that day, a newly written song called “The Underqualified Disiciple.”
She introduced the song with the following words, “If you are afraid of answering your call from God because you think God’s standards are too high, maybe you should read the Bible.”
Linnea then premiered her new song and encouraged the congregation to join her in the following chorus:
Moses was no speaker and Jacob was a bum
Sarah was too senior, Jeremiah was too young
Rahab was a prostitute, Jonah didn’t care
Elijah was a whiner, David killed for an affair.
St. Paul was too religious, the Disciples bailed and fled
Martha toiled and Mary spoiled and…
Lazarus was dead.
Linnea finished her reflection with the following words,
“In the end I believe the purpose of our lives is to find joy. Finding joy is a constant task but I believe God assists us and guides us.”
This was a great segue into the core message of her reflection that day, a newly written song called “The Underqualified Disiciple.”
She introduced the song with the following words, “If you are afraid of answering your call from God because you think God’s standards are too high, maybe you should read the Bible.”
Linnea then premiered her new song and encouraged the congregation to join her in the following chorus:
Moses was no speaker and Jacob was a bum
Sarah was too senior, Jeremiah was too young
Rahab was a prostitute, Jonah didn’t care
Elijah was a whiner, David killed for an affair.
St. Paul was too religious, the Disciples bailed and fled
Martha toiled and Mary spoiled and…
Lazarus was dead.
(To see the new video of The Underqualified Disciple please click the link.)
Linnea finished her reflection with the following words,
“In the end I believe the purpose of our lives is to find joy. Finding joy is a constant task but I believe God assists us and guides us.”
For more information about Linnea's music, her ministry and her latest album, Momentary Saints, please click the link.
Images: Above Linnea at the piano and Patti Powell on guitar. Below, David Jonsson