All Saints' Day service

Our congregation has observed All Saints' Day as one service (not two like we normally have on a given Sunday) for a few years, and we continued that observance this past Sunday on November 6th, 2011.

In years past we have filled the service with life-changing elements such as baby dedications and a remembrance slideshow of those saints who have past on before us from that particular year.

This year, we added a candle lighting to the remembrance slideshow. We had one person light all of the candles. First, we lit the Christ candle to commence the moment of remembrance. Then for each person, a candle was lit. It was very moving to be able to think upon those who we knew and, in a sense, have them involved in the service as we meditate on God and His ways.

Here is the order of worship from this Sunday's service:

Prelude
Let There Be Praise (Occasional Adult Choir)

Welcome and Opportunities to Give, Serve, & Connect


Opening Song w/ Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty 


Offertory Set (prayer/music)
Open The Eyes of my Heart (Kids For Christ Choir)

Homily (Pastor Bob Adelsperger)

Responsive Hymn
O God, our Help in Ages Past


Christ Candle Lighting, Liturgy, & Remembrance Slideshow


Song of Preparation
My Jesus, I Love Thee (vs. 1 & 2 only)

Communion (served, not processional this week)
Revelation Song


Closing Song
Doxology




We had a prayer for the benediction and it was also the prayer for our pitch-in/potluck that we had prepared in the basement of the facility for us all to fellowship afterwards.

The All Saints' Day service is a special time we gather together with those believers living locally to reflect and meditate on the precious time we have with one another; to make the most of each moment. The Lord gives and He takes away. For all is rightly His to give and to take. It is all His anyway.

Worship reflection 10-02-11 .2nd service.

2nd service @ 10:50am


Scripture Reading --> 1 Peter 1:1-3


Prelude --> "Create in Me a Clean Heart" (Keith Green)

Welcome & Worship in Song --> "Not to Us" (Reeves, Tomlin); Scripture Reading --> 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; "Open the Eyes of my Heart" (Baloche); "Your Name" (Baloche, Packiam)

Scripture Reading --> Philippians 1:1-6


Offertory/Offertory Song --> "Hosanna" (Brooke Fraser)

Message

Song of Preparation --> "Worthy is the Lamb" (Zschech)

Communion/Communion Song --> "Create in Me a Clean Heart" (Keith Green)

Closing Song --> "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" (Townend)

Opportunities to Give, Serve, & Connect

Benediction
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Reflection
The Scripture readings are bolded because they all came together to lead up to the sermon. All of these Scripture readings are greetings at the beginning of letters in the New Testament.

We began the service with 1 Peter 1:1-3 read by Aaron, our youth pastor, and he led us in prayer. "Create in Me a Clean Heart" was a time of contemplation to prepare hearts for worship in song. This was my first time leading it in this church. It was suggested by a friend on the team. Although it's my first time leading it in this church, it's written by Keith Green from back in the 70s/80s. Here are the lyrics:

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me


Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord
Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me


"Not to Us" transitioned into the worship song set. In this song we proclaimed that basically, God is God and we are not. It's a thought and action we as Christians have to continually do-- to make our hearts and minds afresh in knowing the humility displayed by our Redeemer Jesus Christ; that He is the grace that is greater than all our sin...and we can do absolutely nothing to try and trump His Ultimate Sacrifice.

Chris read 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 while Ryan played the intro to "Open the Eyes of my Heart" in the background. This song can lead us to petition God with earnest to show us His glory; to show us His holiness. As the song came to close, Ryan transitioned via acoustic into "Your Name" with Dave and myself coming in on keys and piano respectively. In this song, we claim the LORD of lord's Name as a "strong and mighty tower" as it stems from Proverbs 18:10.

I read Philippians 1:1-6 before the Offertory Prayer, then the band played "Hosanna" during Offertory. The lyrics, like the pericope, look forward to return of "the King of Glory coming on the clouds with fire"and is hopeful in all four verses. In the chorus and bridge, the lyrics push and beg for cleansing and healing and saving from The Only One Who can--Jesus Christ.

After the message, we sang "Worth is The Lamb" for the song of preparation for receiving Communion together. I appreciated the format for this song with Verse 1, Verse 2, and then the chorus sung twice. It was short and yet the words and music lingered as we entered into a time of reflection in receiving Communion.

"Create in Me a Clean Heart" was played & sung during the time of the bread and the cup being served. Next time, I might not have any words at all.

As a response to us receiving the body and blood of Christ, we sung "How Deep The Father's Love for Us" by Stuart Townend. Here are the lyrics for reflection:

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
and make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar The Chosen One
bring many sons to glory


Behold The Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished


I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom


Dave played an interlude between each verse that blended them together nicely. A key change from D to E ended Verse 2 and began Verse 3. We culminated the song by repeating the last phrase in Verse 3 Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart: HIs wounds have paid my ransom.


We ended the service with Opportunities to Give, Serve, & Connect which I think I like better, but I'm okay with having them at the beginning or end of service. Comments?

Looking forward to next week's service with the Scripture Drama during both services.

To God be all the glory.

Worship reflection 10-02-11 .1st service.

1st service @ 8:30am


Prelude Music

Scripture Reading --> 1 Peter 1:1-3


Call to Worship -->  "Come Thou Fount" vs. 1 & 3, "All Creatures of our God and King" vs. 1, 4, 5

Scripture Reading --> 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Prayer of Adoration

Hymns of Praise --> "We Gather Together", "O Worship the King"

Scripture Reading --> Philippians 1:1-6
Offertory Prayer
Offertory/Offertory Music --> "Jesus, Name Above All Names" (Adult Choir)

Message

Song of Preparation --> "There's Something About That Name"

Communion

Closing Song --> "Doxology"

Opportunities to Give, Serve, & Connect
Benediction
Postlude Music
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Reflection
The Scripture readings are bolded because they were each a part of the sermon today. All of the readings are greetings from letters in the New Testament. Having Scripture read throughout the service set up the sermon quite well.
A look ahead: next week (10-09-11) we'll be having a Scripture drama  in both services.

Each greeting from each read pericope blended with the next set of songs. "Come Thou Fount" is an invitational song, welcoming our Lord into our midst and reading 1 Peter 1:1-3 talks of the grace of Jesus Christ and His coming again. Transitioning out of "Come Thou Fount" and leading into "All Creatures of our God & King" tells the story of how we invite Jesus with us, while calling everything that has life and breath to come and worship our King of kings.

First Corinthians 1:4-9 talks of the grace of Jesus Christ and the hope of His second coming. There was prayer, then I asked the congregation to join in singing and praising our God in proclaiming Him as our God as "We Gather Together". Our togetherness leads us to surrender our whole lives to our one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. We culminated this song set with the hymn, "O Worship the King".

The adult occasional choir had their first performance this Sunday during 1st service. They sang "Jesus, Name Above All Names" with men and women alternating parts in a round. Peg signed during the song. It was a privilege to hear & watch them worship right along with them this morning.

"There's Something About That Name" was the song of preparation for Communion. It's a slower song that slows down our hearts and minds to focus on the bread and the cup. The lyrics and melody encourage contemplation on the cross. Here are the lyrics:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that Name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all Heaven and earth proclaim
kings and kingdoms will all pass away
but there's something about that Name


The new computer and program for media were up and running smoothly this morning and I really appreciated the scriptures on the slides as well as the background variations with the lyrics of each song.

We sung the "Doxology" as the response to receiving Communion together. I hope to incorporate this song within the worship time more frequently.

To God be all the glory.

Worship reflection 09-25-11 .2nd service.

2nd service @ 10:50am


Prelude --> "Hosanna (Praise is Rising)"

Welcome & Worship in Song --> "I Lift my Eyes Up" Scripture Genesis 17:1-7 "God of Wonders" "We Fall Down"

Offertory Prayer
Offertory Song --> "Give Us Clean Hands"

Message

Closing Song --> "Our God"

Member Induction
Benediction
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Reflection


Media's new computer system, ProPresenter, was up and running for the 10:50 service! Quite a few approached me commenting on how much they liked the backgrounds. Seeing the screen during practice, I personally appreciated how fluid the transitions were between slides. I'm looking forward to taking more time in researching and learning about the breadth of media material available for worship services. If you're interested in the creative process of running the media on Sunday mornings, please contact Aaron Thompson or me, and we'd love to get you connected.

"I Lift my Eyes Up" was originally going to be "Firm Foundation", but I made a quick switch at the last minute. Hopefully we'll worship the Lord singing that song sometime soon.

Having Louanne and Andrew reading the longer scripture was very helpful. Usually when there is a longer scripture, I try to make it more intriguing to those listening. With designated parts, Louanne as the so-called narrator/author and Andrew as so-called spoken LORD, I feel it left more of an impression on me. I often picture myself as one in the congregation as the scripture is being read, and imagine myself watching and listening to those reading allowed the Word of God-- this helps me try to see what we do on stage from the perspective of the congregation. Scripture needs to read when we come together, so I desire it to be presented as best as possible.

Proclaiming the wonders of God as we sing in awe, "God of Wonders", then purge pride and resolve to humility by stating "we fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus" connected so much how of most of our daily lives go, does it not? We go about our day, thinking of the things we have to do. We take credit for the credit we feel is due to us. And as we travel home thinking the day was a success, the Holy Spirit overpowers our prideful selves with conviction and reminds of us The One to Whom all credit is due...Jesus Christ our Risen Savior Lord. What a proclamation to share in together!

As we offered our tithes and offerings, we asked God to renew us, to cleanse us, to make us humble in "Give Us Clean Hands".

"Our God" was our closing song that led us into the member induction of one family in our church, the Isenburgs.

Worship reflection 09-25-11 .1st service.

Each week, from now on, I'm hoping to post reflections from the previous Sunday services. This helps me to process the flow of each service, the elements involved, highlights, and looking for innovative ways to improve for Sundays to come. I will recall and comment on both worship services.

Community was the theme for 09-25 and will also be the theme for 10-02.
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1st service
Prelude (Organ)

Announcements

Call to Worship --> Read & Response with Psalm 95:1-7 (from The Worship Sourcebook)

Hymn of Response --> "The Family of God" (Refrain, sung twice)

Scripture Reading --> Genesis 17:1-7
Prayer of Adoration

Hymns --> "His Name is Wonderful" & "O How He Loves You and Me"

Offertory Prayer
Offertory  (song played & sung) --> "El Shaddai"

Message

Closing Song --> "Blest be the Tie that Binds"

Benediction
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Reflection
This was the first Sunday we used the new computer for media purposes. Unfortunately, we were unable to have it ready for first service. This next week, we should have it ready to display lyrics, videos, photos, and any other media necessary as a helpful component to the both services.

Because of the absence of lyrics projected on a screen, we used hymnals. It was nice to use them for a change. This encouraged me to think of sometime having a hymn-sing. If anyone is interested in doing that, please contact me.

All of the songs seemed familiar to everyone. However, I think the rain influenced some to feel a little tired. I'll have to keep weather in mind to help encourage all of us as we join in worshipful singing to God, our Lord, Creator, Redeemer and Friend.

Inquiring After God, reflection

These are some thoughts I had while reading Ellen T. Charry's Inquiring After God.

God can be known exclusively through self-revelation; allowing others to notice His existence through means emanating solely from Him and Him alone (18). Such revelation may be manifest in the creative order (general revelation) or in God's interaction with His creation in particular instances, such as those instances recorded by Scripture (special revelation).

Knowledge that we learn, all from God, and our love that we learn, all from God, are within a continuum; or at least should be something like this:

Our knowledge of love about (to seek) God and our love of knowledge about (to seek) God should be "always grow[ing]" (18). As both knowledge and love of Him grow within us (only because of His Holy Spirit working in us, of course), both knowledge and love of Him are symbiotic, in that they constantly benefit one another. In this way, it seems to me that the symbiotic relationship between knowledge of God and love of God (as one person would seek Him) is similar to how we are called to serve one another. Here are a few examples from Scripture... Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow." Eccelsiastes 4:9-12 "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." All in all, our knowledge and love of and for God should never diminish, but with a willing eagerness in joy, both will grow for His glory.

An Occasional Choir

Throughout this summer season, I will be preparing formatted information, music, rehearsal dates, and performance dates for a choir at PFBC.

If this piques your interest, feel free to read the following:

Essentials

• believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior
• ample experience singing in choir(s)
• desire to share your love for God and musical gift
• ability, or desire the ability, to blend with others vocally
• strong desire to learn more about God 

I will be posting more information about choir at PFBC as the summer progresses. 

Please email me with any questions:  bethany.colgrove@gmail.com

blessings,

Bethany

"Ride On, Ride On, O Savior-King"

We sang this hymn today during 1st service to set the theme of this Sunday around The Triumphal Entry. I for one, had not heard the song before practicing it. But as I read the lyrics, I found it to be quite fitting to be telling the story of Christ's entry into Jerusalem just 4 days before His crucifixion.

The lyrics are:

Ride on, ride on, O Savior-King

To set the prisoner free!

To sin-cursed souls salvation to bring

And peace eternally!

Ride on to dark Gethsemane, 

To untold agony,

And on the cross of Calvary

Procure our victory!

Ride on, ride on, O Savior-King,

To claim the hearts of men!

Now death has lost its dreadful sting

And hope is born again.

O come, in human hearts to reign--

Suppress the pow'r of sin!

Our own endeavor is in vain--

Lord, Thou must help us win!

Ride on, ride on, O Savior-King!

Ride on o'er land and sea,

For Thou alone to men can bring

Eternal liberty.

Ride on to sin-bound nations, Lord

Until each hearts shall own

Thy saving, sanctifying word

And bow before Thy throne!

Written by a pastor, C.K. Solberg, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN back in 1932, is among one of the recorded 11 hymns he wrote during his lifetime. Rather than translating hymns, Carl Knutson Solberg was gifted as an original hymnist; composing hymns with his own lyrics.

Among the 11 recorded (meaning, written down & kept record of; not necessarily an audio/mp3 file), "Ride on, Ride on, O Savior-King" is one of the most unpopular of his writings. Because of this, it has been quite difficult to find details on this particular hymn. 

Since it is labeled in PFBC's hymnal as "Christ: The Triumphal Entry" we have reason to believe that C.K. Solberg wrote this hymn with Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem in mind.

Interestingly enough, this hymn ties together Jesus riding into Jerusalem with the real reason why He came; which was to teach us that Rome and other people are not the problem, but that the human heart is the problem. With each deceitful heart that seemingly welcomed Him into Jerusalem, betrayed Him just a few days later shouting out their desire to crucify Him. But Jesus died for every one of them who chose to crucify Him. Including us. 

I half-wonder if Solberg wrote these lyrics as what he would say to Jesus if he were at the entrance to Jerusalem on the day Jesus rode in on a colt.  

Whatever the case, I'm thankful God led me to this hymn. Its scarceness, yet with the lyrics having pure faith and trust in Jesus Christ to fulfill the true reason of why He came (to redeem us by dying for us on the cross to reconcile us back to God) makes it become a hymn to keep in my collection for years to come.

If you would like a copy of it, here are some hymnals that still have it in print:  

Revival Hymns and Choruses

and

Sing Joyfully

I pray this hymn blesses you as you advance on the journey that Holy Week has in store for you and your relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior King.

Striving to accept the Free Gift

The following questions were from a Lenten devotional I was reading today. The answers are my responses.


Why is it so hard for us to accept Christ's gift (of salvation)? 

We live in a world that shuns you if you don’t do enough. There are written and unwritten rules of this world that capture our time;  if you’re not doing something, it’s considered ‘laziness’. If you’re doing everything while neglecting yourself, family, friends, and other relationships, you’re considered ‘gifted’, ‘selfless’, and ‘worthy of promotion’. This world has little, if no, grace for those who try their best and then fail. If you fail at your job, you’re fired. If you fail in your marriage, you're forced into a divorce.

Whereas when we know and proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior; that He died for us and that we are called to live for Him, we feel like our relationship with Him has the same so-called rules as the ones we have here on earth. 

Wrong. The relationship Christ offers is full of forgiveness. Forgivefull. We live in this world, and therefore are easily conformed to the ways of it. Our senses are overwhelmed. However, Paul tells us to fix our eyes not on what is seen (or otherwise, “sensed” by our 5 senses by what is in the world) but to fix our eyes on what is unseen [2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV] (or otherwise, we shall focus on everything that is, and of, Christ--our focus should be heavenward). 

Is this a struggle for [me]?
Since I am of this world, yes, I do feel it is a struggle for me to continually and momentously accept Christ’s gift of salvation through the cross. This world tells and shows us that if we fail in this world, we gain nothing. Christ tells us that if we fail in this world, we gain everything; if we lose our lives for Him, we will find our lives in Him alone. 


Christ calls us to lose ourselves in His sacrifice; that we learn to love as He loved us. Our lives are to be a constant sacrifice to Him. In every activity we do, we are called to honor Him. “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial…” and therefore we need to honor Him only in actions, words, and events that are holistically pleasing to Him. 

However, this world does not always approve of actions, words, and events that would be pleasing to Christ. But that shouldn’t matter. Christ is our treasure. HE. DIED. FOR. US. ALL.  “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him Who died for them and was raised again” [2 Corinthians 5:14-15].



How do we make it a non-struggle? 

My desire is to keep a constant relationship with Christ. By praying to Him; thanking Him for His sacrifice. “Pray without ceasing” [1 Thess. 5:17]. 

I desire to ask Him to reveal His Truth to His people. And “in your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” [Ph. 2:5 NIV]. 

I desire to “[g]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” [1 Thess. 5:18 NIV].

And remember, Christ doesn’t look down on you if you fail. YOU. ARE. FORGIVEN. Our relationship with Christ is forgivefull; it is full of forgiveness. It is important to not become prideful of His grace, but to accept it as a gift; one that you never expected, but are overtly grateful to receive. For it is in Christ that we are saved. It is in Him through His sacrifice of love that we have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. 

Now all glory to God, Who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to Him Who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present and beyond all time! Amen.

-Jude 1:24-25

Lent: Giving up, while keeping the focus

Today is the beginning of Lent. As it is a season of self-denial, fasting, Christian growth, and simplicity, many people are "giving something up" in recognition of this time set aside in the church calendar/year. It is also a time of remembrance and reverence and reflection of what Christ did in the desert. He fasted 40 days and 40 nights (Matt. 4; Luke 4). Even through His many struggles during those 40 days and 40 nights, He overcame them all. Since we are called to be like Jesus in modeling Him in His words and actions, we can do that in one way by giving something up for Him. Our act of giving something up for Christ's sake, also imperfectly mirrors (at best) Christ's loving sacrifice for us; by giving His very life for us on the cross.

Grace is freely offered over to us and has been readily available since before the beginning of time (2 Tim. 1:9). I still don't understand it fully, and I may never understand it. For if I were to fully understand God's grace, I may become prideful and desire to do nothing for His glory. I desire to learn from Him, by focusing on Who He is and what He has done for us, rather than focusing on myself. But sadly, I don't always do what I want to do (Rom. 7). It is with the word "focus" that I want to continue discussing the season of Lent. 

When Jesus was in the desert, He was fasting and He was also being tempted by Satan (Matt. 4; Luke 4). The entire span of the 40 day period, Jesus was focused on God. He gave up food for the sake of the glory of God. He desired to show dedication to His Father God by fasting and keeping mind and heart full of the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:1; Luke 4:1) in His act of worship to God. 

Jesus not only gave something up for those 40 days (what we now call "Lent"), but during Lent, He was completely and utterly focused on God's Word. He quotes Scripture to Satan in response to Satan's attempts to sway Jesus to worship him instead of God The Father. When Satan tries to use Scripture against Jesus, He knows Satan's usage is out of context, and wins the battle even again. And why? Granted, Jesus is part of the Trinity, and therefore in constant reciprocating relationship with the other members, but Jesus was able to win because He was completely centered on God. Being in the Trinity helps a bit.

So for the Lenten season, it's not just what you "give up", it's also about Who you choose as your focus. If you give up chocolate, will you be doing it for the glory of God; to honor Him?  Or will you be doing it for yourself?  If you give up chocolate, you could try to see how Jesus felt when He gave up food in order to bring glory to God during those 40 days and 40 nights. In the Lenten time period when you feel like you are tempted to eat chocolate (or whatever you decide to give up; if anything at all), you could ask God to have your eyes and heart opened more to see what He wants you to see and do for His glory.

Maybe you don't decide to give something up for Lent. Rather you decide to begin a new spiritual discipline that will grow your relationship with Christ in learning more of Him and His love. Since the season of Lent is garnered from Jesus' 40 days and 40 nights in the desert being constantly tempted by Satan to do the wrong thing (the worst thing), choosing to start a new discipline--a focus on a spiritual discipline--could be a way to observe it.

Whether or not you choose to observe Lent, I pray that during these 40 days and 40 nights that you are renewed by God's transforming love, grace, and mercy. I pray that you are not overcome by evil, but that any evil you encounter; that you overcome it with good (Rom. 12:21).

Why Do We Worship?

One of the many books I'm reading recently is entitled, Christian Worship. In the second paragraph of the first page of his book he gives different possibilities of why some people worship God. He resolves to say that there is no "one-size-fits-all answer". Rather, people tend to:

1) worship to meet someone else's expectations

2) worship out of pure habit

3) worship in spite of--or because of--the fact that they are locked in some sort of struggle with God

4) worship because they are awestruck by a God who deserves a life of praise...and so much more.

I find it interesting that there are four ways listed. To me, these four ways could be broken up into seasons; seasons of life maybe?  

Granted, these ways have not been fully extrapolated. There are many more ways and reasons why we worship God. Spiritual disciplines are just one way to honor God, yet spiritual disciplines like an intricately-spun spider web filled with silk strings of countless ways to show love and honor and praise to God. 

One of my friends and I were talking about what God is doing in each other's lives recently. When she asked me, I said that I felt Him pushing me to be more mindful of the words I say and how I say them. The meaning counts. After the conversation, Jeremiah 29:13 kept going through my mind... "you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." 

Not half-hearted. Whole-hearted. I wonder if whole-hearted worship is the season of life I desire to always serve for God. 

Why do we worship? 

If our answer to this question results in something epitomizing half-heartedness, we may not be worshiping God with our whole heart. Prayer, solitude, service, fellowship, study, and many more spiritual disciplines are ways we can learn to give God all the glory in the lives He has so lovingly given us to live for Him. Doing these things together with a friends/accountability partner is a beautiful way to engage in fellowship. "For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am with them." --Matthew 18:20

As believers in Christ Jesus, God needs to be our foundation; not just in one area, but in everything we do. I'm learning more and more that as long as we seek Him, and give Him the glory for what He accomplishes through us, the more we honor Him as the creation He made us to be for Him.

Creative Worship Stations: some examples

In my last post, I brought up the phrase "creative worship stations" (a.k.a. "worship stations"). I have found some imagery online that will give a mental picture of what a projected station looks like.

This website provides a somewhat bare-bones example of what some creative worship stations appear:


http://gatheringinlight.com/2009/02/24/stations-of-the-lords-prayer-a-worship-resource/
*pictures are provided at this website

Creative worship stations are heavily used within the Emergent Church/Worship movement, but such stations are embraced across other denominations.

If you are interested in learning more about the Emergent Church, books by Dan Kimball such as Emerging Worship or Emerging Church.

Thoughts on Lent 2011

I went into staff meeting today with some sacred space ideas for the five Sundays of Lent (March 13th, 20th, 27th, April 3rd, & April 10th). I came out of the meeting with a more refreshed, complex, and more concrete foundation on the meaning behind this season.

We're trying something different for Lent 2011. During the five Sundays listed above (not included Palm Sunday and Easter), we'll be having creative worship stations that emphasize themes such as thanksgiving, confession, yielding, and intercession. When a Sunday is the first Sunday of the a month during Lent, we'll partake in Communion in place of the stations.

The four of us sat around the Senior Pastor's office brainstorming about specific themes we could emphasize during Lent. We took a field trip (minor as it was) to the sanctuary for approximate measurements on what materials we might need and where they would be placed during the service. We finalized our field trip by discussing possible scriptures that could explanatorily epitomize each station.

I will be posting more on what we're doing for Lent.

Feel free to share what you have learned recently about this season!

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble...or sick

Remember when I said in my last post, "it felt like medicine head"? Well, little did I know that was just the beginning of a week long battle of the flu.

Nick and I toughened out the remainder of Sunday by finishing out the services, going to lunch, then coming back to the church for handbell practice that afternoon. Thankfully, when it ended we were both free to return home and do whatever possible to get me well fast.

It's funny to trust your own instincts when really, you're not the one in control. God is. What I mean by that is He led me through a week of learning to trust Him in, what I deemed, an unfamiliar area. I was working too hard with the goal of "I have to get well. I have to get better now!" I wouldn't let go of how sick I was, and give my illness to God. I had to hold on to it; like it was my treasure.

I know what you're probably thinking (or even saying/shouting at your computer), "the sickness was your treasure!?"

Well, I treated it like it was. The thing is, how many times in life do we desire to control something that wants to control us?

You know what that's called? Opposition to authority. Not the flu's authority, but the Almighty and Everlasting authority of God. His authority always was, always is, and will forever be reigning above all. It's high time I realized that truth in even something as seemingly minute as the flu.

One thing I didn't forget to do during this whole week, was thank God that it wasn't the stomach flu.

The beauty of this illness is that it has been musical. It began late Saturday while Nick and I were with B2 (2nd floor, Baker Hall on HU's campus) watching football. We couldn't even finish the game. The illness crescendoed throughout the next few days, and either Tuesday or Wednesday night was the climax. At that point, I hadn't slept in three days or so and had a breakdown. I felt like I was trying my best to get well, but "my best" just wasn't cutting it.

Nick encouraged me. We prayed together and talked about how to help me sleep. Thankfully, the next time I had to lay down, I got 5 hours. Praise God! It was then that I started feeling His healing.

As this illness decrescendos and makes its way out of my body, I notice how long it took. A week. But this girl's not weaker because of it. She's stronger because of the lesson that was learned through God's intervention. That intervention brought not only a healed body, but a healed heart, soul, and mind with renewed strength.

And... He gave me just enough time to heal. Just before the next Sunday's services.

I have gotten wind that a lot of people are sick right now. If you're ill, I pray that God intervenes in your body, and heals you. But not that He heals just your body. I pray that He heals and renews your mind, heart, and soul while giving you strength for what's yet to come.

blessings,

Bethany

Strategies of Cohesion for me, an ENFP

I'm still searching for informative research on worship leaders and their personalities; especially if they're ENFPs. But for now, I'd like to dive into some things I have learned through reading other bloggers such as Bob Kauflin. When searching worship leader blogs, his is near the top of the search list. It's called, "Worship Matters."

I was eager to seek encouragement one day last week, so I read a few hot topic entries of his of which I felt I was struggling in leading worship. He discussed transitions and how to make them meaty with the gospel; not just the supposed silence to which we naturally cling. One could share personal experience, a provocative theological thought that epitomizes the connection of the seemingly opposing songs, an instrumental transition, a prayer to engage the heart mind and soul in worship, and even repeating the last line of the previous song while playing the intro into the next song; this helps those involved in worship to not lose the momentum of what it means to worship God. It helps them focus on worshipping God rather than feeling uncomfortable about what they may deem as an awkward transition.

Normally it takes me quite a long time to invoke a lot of new strategies into my actions, but this learning experience proved otherwise. Today at services, I was so out of it (it felt like medicine-head), but yet I felt strength, peace, and perseverance in a very big way. When I felt weak, God made me strong and exemplified these transitional traits through me to create a cohesive worship experience with His believers. Granted, worship may not always feel cohesive, but when someone is leading the worshippers with the ability to create such cohesion, the worshipper is less likely to be distracted and can wholly dwell on all of God.

We get distracted everyday, right? I'm an ENFP. It's sort of my job. But when it comes to the body of believers and desiring a deep reciprocating relationship with The Almighty, distractions are just that; distractions. I'm not talking about the distractions that we may see as distractions to our own lives; such as someone walking in on our tv show right at the season finale and wanting to talk. I'm talking about the distractions that lead us astray; the kind that lead us toward eternal death rather than eternal life. For instance, they are the kind that attempt take away precious moments during the day that we could be practicing, sharing, learning, and reveling in the Love of God.

I pray that we all are learning about cohesion, in that we seek the strength God provides us in His fathomless, ever-widing, and endless Love that is found in Jesus Christ Who died for us...with arms spread wide open.

blessings,

Bethany