Rediscovering the Trinity and Spirit-led Worship

I have a subscription to Worship Leader Magazine because I am…well…a worship leader. Makes sense, doesn’t it? I really like the magazine because 1) most of the articles are short and I can read them on my lunch break, 2) It deals with worship, and 3) the articles provide insight into worship and worship practices that help to keep me focused on what I do here in the church. Currently, I’m reading the May 2009 issue. (Yeah, I’m a little behind!)

The cover article for this edition is entitled “Synchronicity: Rediscovering the Trinity and Spirit-Led Worship” – by Dr. Reggie Kidd, Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary/Orlando.  Given that our name also contains the word “Trinity” – both our name and the title referring to God as being three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) within one God – I figured it could hold a lot of insight for our worship here at FTLC. Here’s some of what it said:

•    Worship Leaders are always on the lookout for condensation on the sunglasses—signs of life or breath in our congregations. (Go ahead, take a pair of glasses and put them to your nose and you’ll see what this means!)
•    The thing Worship Leaders fear the most? The absence of God’s breath.
•    Theologian Alexander Schmemann describes the Godhead this way: there is an “eternal Lover” (the Father), and “eternally Beloved” (the Son), and “eternal Love itself” (the Holy Spirit). As Love itself, the Holy Spirit’s role is to make that eternal communion between Lover and Beloved present to us … to breathe into us that great Loving that exists between Lover and Loved, drawing us into something … described as a dance.
•    Leading worship is the privilege it is because it amounts to cooperating with the Holy Spirit in inviting people back into the dance.
•    I have to remind myself the “condensation on the sunglasses” is not necessarily about any of the things I do or don’t do. …there is a presence in the church that won’t go away. If Arianism, Gnosticism, Pelagianism, imperial patronage, humanism, scientism, modernism, and postmodernism can’t make the Holy Spirit go away, I probably can’t either.
•    As a worship leader there’s probably nothing greater that I can contribute to worship than making sure that I keep breathing God’s breath myself. In the Word daily—breathe in. In prayer daily—breathe out. Confess “my stuff”—breathe in. Lift His name in praise and adoration—breathe out. Come to the table—breathe in. Wish my neighbor the peace of Christ—breathe out. Ponder the wonder of His grace to me—breathe in. Find the lost, tell the story, feed the hungry—breathe out.

We don’t all have to be “Worship Leaders” to gain from these thoughts. In fact, the best worship leaders are sometimes those who just worship! So, dwell on the Trinity – Lover, Beloved, and Eternal Love – and let God’s Spirit draw you to Him. Then see where it goes…and you could do more for our worship at First Trinity that I ever could!

Prepare for Worship – I Am What I Am (Aug. 1-2)

FUN FACT: This is my 200^th post!!! I don’t remember if I marked the 100^th, but it’s kind of fun keeping track of these benchmarks – Stargate SG-1 did a great show for their 200^th…which is probably why I’m noting mine here. I’d love to do something fun, witty, and off the wall, too. Unfortunately, I don’t keep track of my posts close enough and didn’t have enough notice. So, on to other things…

Return to the Dock this weekend for some fun as we sing, share, and remember the Crocodile Dock experience with…live reptiles??? That’s right – live reptiles! Come at 10am for the Crocodile Dock Reunion in Celebration (our gym) with the Reptile Man from Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics. He puts on a great show for people of all ages and is sure to have some fascinating animals with him. These aren’t the kind of creatures that you see everyday…or even at the zoo – and they sometimes upstage him!

Our worship will continue the Reunion fun with several songs from our week at Crocodile Dock – including “I Will Not Be Afraid” (Theme Song) and “Faith” sung by the kids. Pastor’s message is entitled “I Am What I Am” and looks at God’s primary work in this world – the salvation of His people! Whether you know God, are seeking God, or are seeking God but don’t know it, come and enjoy the fun of VBS and see if there’s not something else for you this weekend as well.

The readings for this week:
Old Testament:  Exodus 3: 1-10
New Testament:  Ephesians 2: 8-10
Gospel:  Matthew 28: 18-20

Sunday
Gathering:  “Enough”
Opening:    ”You’re Worthy of My Praise”
                     ”Kindness”
Communion: “Come Unto Me”
                      “Only Always”
                      “Breathe”
Offering:    ”You Are My King (Amazing Love)”
Closing:      “Everlasting God”
Sending:     ”My Redeemer Lives”

Saturday
Opening:  “Enough”
                  ”Kindness”
Prayer:    ”Come Unto Me”
Communion: “Only Always”
Closing:   ”Everlasting God”
Sending: “My Redeemer Lives”

Worship Debrief – Making the Cut (Jul. 25-26)

Many times in life we feel like we are just not good enough…or strong enough…or good looking enough…or… (fill in the blank.) Think back to trying out for the football team, or auditioning for the school play, or even waiting to get picked for kickball in gym class. If you were strong, athletic, good-looking, and had lots of friends – all things our society seems to value – you would get picked early on. If not…well…we’ve all been there.

Our sermon this past weekend was entitled “Making the Cut,” and through it Pastor looked at three characteristics of Jesus that he uses to make the cut on our behalf, so we don’t have to.

1. Jesus is Powerful: We see through the healing of a beggar blind from birth (John 9) that Jesus can take away our physical infirmities.
2. Jesus is Personal: A woman with chronic bleeding touches Jesus cloak and is healed. (Mark 5) Though she was considered unclean, Jesus addressed her as family and brought life out of her shame.
3. Jesus is Forgiving (or, in Pastor’s notes, “Phorgiving” – he needed the “P”): The Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery to test Jesus (John 8), but get foiled in there attempt. Jesus does not condone the woman’s actions, but does not condemn her either. Rather He forgave her so she may live a new life of freedom from sin and shame.

Saturday, 7/25 – 7:00pm:

•          Having been in PA from Thursday until that afternoon, I was rather out of it for worship.
•          None the less, it was a pretty straight forward service this week. I love being able to hear the congregation singing, even when it’s small.
•          Thanks to Jacob Ferrante who served as our entire tech team this weekend while the youth were returning from Work Camp.
•          Glad the rain help off (mostly) until after I left…my umbrella stayed in the car!

Sunday, 7/26 – 11:15am:

•          Yeah, you heard right. The sanctuary had flooded overnight! Praise God that the water stayed clear of all the band’s equipment. A huge, Huge, HUGE thanks to Mike & Darcy Zekas, Jim Passage, Ray Polling, Art Schaeffer, and everyone else who worked so hard so we could worship in the Sanctuary!
•          We welcomed Marcus this week on guitar and are looking forward to his continued contribution to our worship.
•          Funny thing: my family had not yet returned from their respective trips (Darcy at Work Camp, the boys in PA). As a result, I was less attentive to things like the children’s message during the service…don’t even remember what Sue talked about. Sorry Sue!!!
•          I did, however, get the congregation repeating Pastor’s signature line (God is good, all the time…) quite by accident!
•          Thanks again to Dan Chamberland for stepping back up and filling in for Jake again.

I hope and pray that your time of worship was good this weekend and that you were able to meet with God. If so, let me know. If not, let me know why not. There’s almost always something we can glean out of your feedback.

Prepare for Worship – Making the Cut (Jul. 25-26)

If you were ever active is sports – or even in gym class – then you know what it’s like waiting to get picked for a team. Or maybe it was the drama club, or the band, or… Fill in the blank with whatever group or activity you tried out for and remember the consternation of waiting to find out if you were above the cutoff line.

Life can feel that way sometimes…like we are just waiting to find out if we were good enough to make the cut. No matter what we try or how hard we try it, we just can’t seem to shake the fear that it’s not enough. This weekend, Pastor bring us a sermon entitled “Making the Cut.” It’s a look into the reason that Jesus came and what He wants to do in our lives. So come, joins us for worship and learn how, with Jesus, we can all be “Making the Cut.”

The readings for this week:
Old Testament:  Isaiah 9: 2-7
New Testament:  Colossians 1: 11-16
Gospel:  John 9: 1-7

Sunday
Gathering:     Sing Alleluia
Opening:       I Come to Worship You
                        Shout to the Lord
Offering:        Here I Am to Worship
Closing:         Mighty to Save
Sending:        Grace Like Rain

Saturday
Opening:       Shout To the Lord
                        Mighty To Save
Prayer:          Here I Am to Worship
Closing:         I Come to Worship You
Sending:        Grace Like Rain

Out of the…um…Office?

Hey – I will be away from my computer for a couple of days – joining my boys and their grandparents (my parents) in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania for a couple of days while they are cabin camping. The cabin belongs to one of my mother’s relatives and was a place that we would go every year as a family when I was young. I’m excited to hear about what the kids have been doing and seeing how they enjoyed a place that has some great memories for me.

But, it’s in the mountains. Therefore, I’m not taking my computer ‘cause there would be no point ‘cause there’s no internet service. Cell coverage up there is also “spotty” at best. So I should have a relaxing time with very little – other than the kids – to distract me. Should be good.

If you leave comments on any of my posts I will get them and respond after I get back this weekend.

Worship Debrief – Being There for a Friend – Comfort in Death, Part 2 (Jul. 18-19)

There was a lot of good and practical advice provided this weekend as Pastor concluded his message on finding and providing comfort to those who are facing death. Probably the best way to summarize the message is with the acrostic given to us in church:

• Confront your own fears – the only thing that you can really do wrong when helping someone facing death is to not be there.
• Offer your physical presence – a simple touch goes a long way.
• Minister in practical ways – bring meals, do the dishes, cut the grass, etc.
• Fortify them with emotional support – get them to talk about what they are feeling.
• Open them with questions – let them make decisions and hold onto some control.
• Remember the family and God – talk about the Memorial Service, most people want to.
• Turn them to Jesus

Saturday, 7/18 – 7:00pm:

•          It was Matt and I again, but I needed the drums this week. Coffee-house nights are good, but I like getting back in with a strong rhythm section.
•          Even had to bring my electric out for the last song. It was just sounding to good at rehearsal.
•          Big thanks to Abigail Stone for filling in on the projection…my entire tech team was on the way to Nashville with the Work Camp trip!
•          I just felt the service flowed really smoothly this weekend. How about you?

Sunday, 7/19 – 11:15am:

•          Darcy’s on the Work Camp trip with the youth, and the boys are camping with grandparents in PA. Being in worship all weekend without the family is just weird!
•          Get to do the weirdness again next weekend…no one come home until Sunday!
•          Worship: Short a few people in the band due to Work Camp and vacation, but I thought we had a good sound.
•          Fun to do the VBS songs and see everyone singing and doing motions (I’m not a big “motions” kind of guy, but it’s great for the kids following VBS.)
•          Loved Emma answering Sue’s questions about what can help someone who’s sick. CAT scans! Right.
•          VBS video played at the end of all services this weekend. Replaced our sending song, but that was OK. It was a great week and even just a touch of re-living it can be fun.
•          Be sure to join us on Aug. 2 @ 10am for the VBS Reunion with the Reptile Man and stick around for worship at 11:15!

Pharaoh, Pharaoh. Whoa! Let My People Go.

I had the wonderfully fun opportunity to play the role of Pharaoh at one of the Bible Bayou stations for Crocodile Dock – our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year. The kids were learning about the first 9 plagues that befell Egypt in the Bible. They snuck into my “palace” and got to ask me to let them go. When I said “No!” – I always did – they got to act out inflicting the plagues on me, including placing “boils” (red stickers) all over me while I was sleeping. It was a blast!!!

I love doing drama and making Bible stories and biblical principles come to life. It’s even better when the audience – in this case the kids – are really getting into it. There were several times when I had kids (while acting like gnats, flies, or locusts) herding me backstage before I could get all my lines out. I had at least one kid who decided to grab onto my robes and not let go. And all of them caught on almost instantly that I was the “bad guy!” The cool thing is that these kids will have a lasting memory of what God did for the Israelites whenever they learn about Moses and the Exodus again.

The main thing I’m wondering now: Does the title “Pharaoh” put me on the same level as “Supreme Leader” in the grand scheme of things???

Prepare for Worship – Being There for a Friend – Comfort in Death, Part 2 (Jul. 18-19)

Just as hard – if we are not prepared – as learning of our own imminent death, is helping a friend deal with death…be it their own or someone close to them. I touched on this in my prep last week, but what do you say? What can you do for them, either to ease the pain or just bring them some peace in the turmoil?

Pastor’s message this week picks up where we left off in Part 1 as we look at how to be prepared for and deal with the subject of death. We know that we need Jesus, but how to we relate Him to this situation? How can we share the strength and peace of Christ with our friends in their time of grief? Come this weekend and find out!

Also, for those spending the week at Crocodile Dock, be on the lookout for some of your Dock Rocker favorites in the worship set!

The readings for this week:
Old Testament:  Psalm 18: 1-6
New Testament:  Hebrews 2: 14-18
Gospel:  John 14: 1-6

Sunday
Gathering:  “The Battle Belongs to the Lord”
Opening:    ”Everlasting God”
                    ”The Heart of Worship”
Communion: “You Are My King (Amazing Love)”
                    “Come To Me Today”
                    “Throne of Grace”
Offering:     ”You Are My Hiding Place”
Closing:      ”You’re Worthy of My Praise”
Sending:     ”Where Do I Go”

Saturday
Opening:   ”You’re Worthy of My Praise”
                   “The Heart of Worship”
Prayer:      ”You Are My King (Amazing Love)”
Closing:     ”Everlasting God”
Sending:   ”Where Do I Go”

Longevity!

This past weekend marked the celebration of my grandmother’s 90th birthday. So, what do you do when you are turning 90 – you have a party! OK, it was the family’s idea. But it was a great time as over 100 people enjoyed a nice lunch buffet and the company of friends and family that we haven’t seen in…well…forever in some cases! You know it’s been a while when they ask you “Now, who’s kid are you again?” We even managed to get family pictures, including my grandmother with all 6 (and 1/2 – one more is on the way!) of her great-grandkids!

One thing stuck with me as I told someone about the party. They commented that there is longevity in the family. I had never thought about that much, but I guess it’s true. And it doesn’t come through my mother (it’s her side of the family!) from just one source, either. My grandmother’s brother-in-law – who’s 93! – was at the party…and I’m told he still cuts the grass himself. If those genes carry through, then my boys are in even better shape because Darcy’s grandmother turned 98 this year.

Obviously, life is about far more than living longer. The Bible says that our days have been numbered and it’s far more productive to use the days we have wisely rather than trying to get more. But the thought of having a long time to do God’s work can seem appealing. If God were to leave you here on earth to see 90 – or maybe even 100 – what kind of expectations do you think he would have for your later years?

Worship Debrief – Being There for a Friend, Comfort in Death – Part 1 (Jul. 11-12)

Death. It’s a subject that no one wants to talk about, and yet death is something that we will all face sooner or later. Pastor told us this morning that he checked, and the mortality rate on the planet is still 100%. We all will die…sometime.

This morning was the first of a 2-part message on seeking comfort in death, and our focus was on being ready for death. When we are not prepared to die (whether it’s immanent or not), we react in 5 stages (in order):

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Pastor also told us how to get prepared for death, and that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you need the answer to that question, leave me a comment below, and I’ll walk you through it! On to the production notes!

Saturday, 7/11 – 7:00pm:

•          I was in PA this Saturday to celebrate my grandmother’s 90^th birthday. We had a great party – open house style with a buffet lunch – and there were probably over 100 people there. Lot’s of family…most I didn’t know!
•          Matt led with Elisa and Tom from the stage. Let me know how it worked out! I heard that “Forever” added some comic relief to the night.

Sunday, 7/12 – 11:15am:

•          Fun to watch the kids try to figure out how to get around the empty band platform for the children’s message. Sue did a great job as always.
•          I am a prayer partner for one of the youth going to workcamp this week and it was great to pray for him during the service.
•          We had a friend from college visiting with her family this morning. Great to see them and I’m really grateful for their patience as we ran around after the service getting ready for VBS!
•          Stage was set up for VBS this coming week. So, we decided to put the band on it for services. Partially it was just to have some fun, but sitting behind the main speakers amidst the fabric backdrop has some technical advantages from a sound standpoint. What did you think? How was the sound, the look, the feel… ?