• Committed to a common purpose

  Our main purpose for doing music at Millwood is, " to celebrate and enjoy the gift of music, and through our music help all who attend our church have a meaningful encounter with the presence of God." We bow in awe as we respond with wonder, amazement , and gratitude at the incredible grandeur of all creation. We cherish the earth and all its creatures, the stars in all their glory, and the miracle of our own existence. We humbly recognize and bow before the Mystery.

  A large part of the the mission for the Music Department here at Millwood is to make every effort to regain and sustain our sense of awe and wonder as we return to the source of all creativity! It is a miracle just to be! Our desire is to be a church that celebrates the connection between spirituality and art! Consequently, our hope and prayer is that joy and celebration will be re-discovered in our art, our music, and in all of our lives!! And our prayer is that this spiritual energy will overflow into our Sunday morning worship experience.

  A poem/prayer by Arthur Foote so beautifully exclaims:

  "Let me be…. observant of the perpetual miracle of life and love on this fragment of a star flung across the infinity of space; appreciative of earth’s symphony of color, harmony of shape, and ubiquity of beauty…to every intimation of divinity in the lives around me…
  
  Let me be…tuned in to all the varied music of the world: to man-made melodies, and to the songs of wind and water, insect and bird…

  The Hymn, "Sing Alleluia" states:

  "When in our music God is glorified,
  And adoration leaves no room for pride,
  It is as though the whole creation cried:
  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"

  Music is God's creation. "God is an artist and the universe is God's work of art" - Thomas Aquinas. The Psalmist David shares in a song these incredible words:

  “The heavens are telling of God and His glory; the sky proclaims his
  handiwork, Day to day ours forth speech, and night after night
  declares knowledge!” Psalm 19

  (For a more in depth look at this subject read the article "The Wonder Of Creativity" by David Arivett.)

   In the words of Martin Luther music, "comes from the sphere of miraculous audible things, just like the word of God." In response to the gifts of God, we see nothing but God's love for us and for the world he created and therefore we rejoice and sing. 
  
  "How oft, in making music, we have found
  A new dimension in the world of sound,
  As worship moved us to a more profound
  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!"
  
  Music can communicate and express in ways that are beyond our words and our senses. Music can capture our imaginations and lead us into the mysteries of God and his gracious will. When music is performed with a high level of spiritual energy and artistic excellence, the perfect goodness and wisdom of God are displayed through this marvelous gift.
  
  Join with us, as we celebrate and sing to the Lord a new song! 
  
  Let every instrument be tuned for praise;
  Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise;
  And may God give us faith to sing always:
  Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

• Committed to common vision

  Our vision is to embrace diversity and a wide variety of musical styles and tastes. So at Millwood you will find music that is contemporary as well as traditional, Hymns and Worship Choruses. Utilizing praise team vocalists and musical instruments is a large part of how we carry out our vision.

Millwood Christian Church also holds special  "Jazz Sunday's" on a periodic basis. The focus of Jazz Sunday's  is to help people to experience worship other than a traditional worship setting. We draw upon the visual arts, music (primarily jazz), drama, dialogs, and multimedia technology to add depth and texture, creating a truly multi-sensory experience of worship. Our Jazz Sunday's are formulated to accommodate “fringe” folks, for those not normally comfortable in a regular church service. The service includes an eclectic mix of corporate prayer, spoken 
verse, and music with a jazz flavoring.

• Committed to team-oriented ministry

Our outlook is that with God, there are no little people, nor no little places!  All those who are "in Christ" are "one body". This new humanity in Christ completely destroys social boundaries and this equality in Christ creates a new social reality! Working together as a team involves treating one another with respect and humility! There is room for people to participate in the music ministry here at Millwood!!

• Committed to excellence

We are definitely committed to using the gifts and talents that God has given us with a emphasis on excellence! That means we strive to do our very best when we play and sing our music to the glory of God! 

Fresh Fire

We are thankful to have the vocal group, "Fresh Fire" to help lead us in worship! They help make up the praise team at Millwood on Sunday Morning. They just happen to be part of our Music Director's family!  (Thanks, Aaron, Gina, Dannette, Jesse, and Michelle Arivett for your faithfulness and commitment here at Millwood and for such inspiring music!!)

          Millwood Music Minister      

David Arivett has been the music minister at Millwood for nearly 8 years. We are very proud to have him as our music minister here at Millwood!

Whether it's Jazz, Choral, or Gospel, or Blues David Arivett has written and performed it. He writes and plays music that truly evokes an emotional response. Whether its songs of hope and healing, or feelin' alright songs, his music has always has a profound emotional effect on listeners.

Piano and Keyboards are David's main instruments. In addition, David is a superb vocalist, arranger and clinician. David has also written music for television, radio jingles, production libraries and he has produced many custom recordings in a wide variety of styles.

David presently operates Songs Of David Studio where he produces and records his own music as well as other clients. David also publishes worship music, choral music  jazz, blues and New Age music from Songs Of David   He remains actively involved in celebrating the gift of music and creativity in churches, concerts, and workshops. David directs, sings and records with  "Fresh Fire" a Christian Vocal group who sing in a wide variety of styles. All of David's CD's can be found here!

Work is underway for a book about David's search and journey for God. To sample his writing read his articles: The Wonder Of Creativity  or  Are You Really Listening?  David's CD's, articles, and sheet music can be found on his web site at: www.songsofdavid.com

(Prayerful Moment at a Church Jazz Event)

Audio samples - Mp3

Hasn't God Been Good?
Celebrate Today
We Welcome You
Creator
It's A Miracle
Why Not Be Jazzed?
Count Your Blessings
All Is Well
People Really Matter To God
Lift Up The Lord
Latin Doxology
How Firm A Foundation
Gratitude Mood
My Soul Thirsts For God
How Great Thou Art
Prayerful Why?
His Love
For The Mountains Shall Depart
Christ Is Reaching Out
Time To Celebrate
O I Want To See Him
I Am Ready
One Less Stone
He'll Put Ya' Back Together

"Jazzed In Church" Charts & CD is available for purchase here!

Check out all of David's CD's here!