It has been an interesting tour thus far now that we are on our penultimate day. Sorry, that is a word I use when I could use a more common phrase and blend in, but it makes me think I’m smart, even though I’m talking to many who are way smarter than me. Regardless, if you’ve never heard it before, penultimate means next to final. Ok, I’m done being condescending now, I’d like to apologize on behalf of my brain.
In choral sets the penultimate song is called the setup. It’s job is to provide a reprieve for the audience for a moment before the energy of the closer knocks them out of their seat. It’s the eye of the storm that provides contrast so that all of the emotion of the set can come to a peak.
And so today sets as the perfect setup. We have had a lot of different types of churches this tour and, in general, the crowds have been pretty generous in size. Some have been really big and may even rival homecoming in attendance (though not in energy – not. even. close). All of that energy that we have been accustomed to so far died down a little on the penultimate day. There was nearly no crowd that New G itself didn’t draw.
I’ve gone on 11 tours with New G now, and I’ve been in a lot of powerful performances, but the most powerful was in front of a crowd of three people. It was at 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham back in 2017, poetically on the same tour as this one. It came out of nowhere, the kids just picked up on something ineffable (doh! I did it again) and it just couldn’t be contained.
This performance wasn’t like that. The difference is that there is a surgical precision to this sermon and this group of kids. They are just consistent, professional, and give the same amazing performance every single time regardless of the size of the audience. I am convinced they believe that it is worth it to give that quality of performance to even just an audience of one person, to just lavishly pour out God’s love. So if this is the calm before the storm…
I’m a little concerned.
Well, we’ve had our setup performance. Get ready for a barn burner. We all are. We love you all!
Signing off, Joseph
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Remaining Schedule
Sing-Out – Wyatt Park Christian Church
NG Singer/Parent Tour Meeting 2026
Sing-Out #8 – Wyatt Park Christian Church
Full Circle Moments at Wyatt Park Christian Church It was a joy to return to Wyatt Park Christian Church, where we were once again welcomed by a packed, energetic crowd ready to experience what New G has to offer. This stop always holds a unique place in our hearts —...
Sing-Out #7 – Good Shepherd UMC – North Oak Campus
New Faces, Familiar Love at Good Shepherd UMC – North Oak Campus In the evening, we loaded up and headed down to Kansas City, performing for the very first time at the North Oak Campus of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. While this was a new space for us, it...
Sing-Out #6 – Ashland United Methodist Church
Home Base: Ashland United Methodist Church There’s nothing quite like singing at Ashland United Methodist Church — our home base, our primary host, and the place where New G lives week to week. From rehearsals to storing our equipment, this is where so much of the...
Sing-Out #5 – Huffman United Methodist Church
A Tour-Ready Night at Huffman United Methodist Church The day ended with a return to a place that has long been part of our tradition — Huffman United Methodist Church. While we usually visit in the morning, this evening stop felt just as meaningful and well-loved....
