Last Set of 2010

Hi all -

So, who is going to be here the Sunday after Christmas? Could you send me an e-mail and say 'yea' or 'nay'?

Here is the set for this Sunday, there will be no practice until Sunday Morning! So, please be here as close to 9:00 as possible.

If for some reason I'm not here - like I'm off having a Baby with my wife, well.... I guess you'll just have to manage or bag the music or something. :)

Here is the set...

O come all Ye Faithful

Amazing Grace/ My Chains are Gone
Refuge

O How He Loves
All I have

Mighty to Save
May Your power Rest on Me

Again- please e-mail me and let me know if your in. If we don't have a full enough team I may just go solo or just add piano or something.

Marry Christmas. - Jamie

Last Worship set before Christmas!

Hey everyone! Back at it this week. Here's the list in no particular order:

What Child Is This - ? - Basically just the traditional song with a new intro.

Joy To The World - A - Just like we played it two weeks ago.

In Christ Alone - E

Amen, Amen -

King of Glory - D or E

You're all off the hook!

So I imagine you all know already that this Sunday we're doing the annual Family Foursquare shindig. That means no worship so you all get the week off! Come on Sunday anyway (at 10:30 like normal people) and enjoy the family fun! See you all there and thanks for all your hard work. God bless!

Worship for ze 5th

Happy December everyone, Heres the list for tonight

Joy to the World -Sojourn

Hosanna ( i see the king of glory)

Psalm 62 - C

Oh Praise Him - Bb

Come thou Fount

Amen, Amen - Sojourn

Immanuel - God is with us.

This Weeks Text:

Isaiah 7:10-16

Matthew 1:18-25

This Weeks Theme: Immanuel – God is with us and that makes all the difference.

This Week in a Nut Shell:

In the book of Genesis we learned about God’s kingdom, coming to earth through a chosen yet broken family of individual humans. We saw how this kingdom is God’s building project and how you and I are invited both to be part of it, and to help bring it.

If we were to move ahead into Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy we would see, in some very specific detail, what the people of this kingdom should look like. Values like justice, mercy, love, grace, responsibility and selflessness would stand out amongst the minutia of daily living.

If we were to move from there into Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel, we would see that the people of God have a hard time being this peculiar people without there also being a Godly leader over them; a prophet, judge or king. But, we would also see that no matter how Godly that leader be, he or she is merely human and never able to measure up to the one true King – God. Time and again the people fail, their leaders fail and they walk away from God.

Then, in the year 586, God has about all he can take. The people have walked away from God and his ways, so he says, (as Fleetwood Mac said it) “you can go your own way!” No longer under God’s protection the kingdom of Israel (specifically the southern kingdom of Judah) is over ran by the Babylonians, Jerusalem sacked and the temple destroyed. The people are removed from the land of the promise, carried away in physical chains that reflect the spiritual chains they had acquired for themselves.

During the over 400 years of time that the people of Israel remained in captivity or subject to another nation, God’s people spent their time pooring over prophecies about the coming of a savior, searching for the timing of his coming. They also spend time remembering the story of God’s kingdom, their part in it, what God was about in this world (much of the Old Testament as we know it took final form during this period.)

This week we shall see the next step, the next broad stroke in the story of God’s kingdom coming; now we will experience the long awaited Advent of Christ – the coming of a promised Messiah to save the people.

This is the big picture, the huge history of God’s kingdom coming – but there is more to this story than what we find in the Bible. The truth is, the history of God’s kingdom has continued, and is still continuing to this day, and we are heirs of this kingdom and this story. We too, like the Israelites have found ourselves in bondage to the culture around us, our story taken from us and transformed into a ugly version of the original.

The story of Christmas is prime example. Where once it was a time of giving – the giving of God’s presence in Jesus Christ – it is now a time of rushing, purchasing, stuffing, wrapping, piling, and consuming. 2000 years ago it was a time of worship for shepherds and wise men, today it is a gaudy holiday where our worship practice is not focused on the manger, but on the cash register.

Christmas is not about how much we give or receive, but what we give and why; it is about Emmanuel – God with us. It is about sacrificial, relational, giving. And, most of all it is about worship; worship that brings the kingdom of God to earth.

Join the Conspiracy. Take back the story. Remember Jesus Christ.

This Weeks Set:

(This is a link to all the Sojourn Advent song chord sheets) Sojourns "Advent Songs" CD is only $7 and worth picking up. Best Christmas CD I've heard in a long time!

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Sojourn/ Jamie's version)

Glorious

The Advent Song… (Jamie’s )

Before the Throne

Joy to the World (Sojourn)

Amen, Amen (sojourn)

Genesis - the Final Chapter

Genesis 37-50

This is the final piece of the Genesis Puzzle.

Last week we saw several contexts in which God’s kingdom is being built: broken cultures, broken nations, broken families and broken individuals. This last section of Genesis deals with the context of a broken family in greater detail, but also shows us that God’s plan of redemption, his Kingdom, extends beyond the bounds of human relationship and cultures but also to human suffering and injustice.

What is more, Genesis 37-50 speaks an invitation, an echo of Genesis 12:1-3, to participate in God’s redemptive work through our choices, our actions and our speech. This participation does not come cheaply or easily, for to participate in bringing God’s kingdom is to participate in the bringing of Grace.

This week we will look at the life of Joseph and see the first character in Genesis to clearly and fully become the blessing to others that God spoke into existence years before and.

God invites us to be agents of his Kingdom subverting the wills, intents and powers of this world, and transforming them into actions of grace, hope, joy, peace and love.

Set List - 11/14

New week, new set. Here it is:

Before The Throne - D

Oh For A Thousand Tongues To Sing - G

Revelation Song - ?

You're Beautiful - D

Breaking Through - Bb

WORSHHHHHHIP set.......

Oh Happy Day - Eb

Jesus Paid it All Eb

God you are my God - A

Refuge (sojourn) chords

Breaking Through- Bb . Words (were not doing it in D)
Hey sorry for the delay in posting this - I hope you all get a chance to check it out before tonight. The song Breaking Through is what will probably take the longest to work on, its a fantastic song - easy to learn. See ya soon!!!

SET LIST : God of Wrath or God of Grace

This Weeks Text: Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-7, 28:12-15. We will also reference 18:16-19:29 (Sodom and Gomorrah)

This Weeks Psalm: Psalm 67 or Psalm 13 (How Long Oh Lord)

This Week in a Nut Shell:

Continuing our march through Genesis, this week we skip ahead to chapter 12. Between the Creation Event and chapter 12 a lot has happened; the human race has grown exponentially numerically and also in their brokenness.* God has remained silent for many, many generations and can no longer remain so. Suddenly, as with a bullhorn, God makes a speech.

When God speaks, what sort of words come out of His mouth? What is it that God loves to do?

This week we will look at three verses (Genesis 12:1-3), one phrase (I will) and one word (bless) that will change the course of human history and reshape our understanding of the God of the Old Testament.

We will also begin to deconstruct (and Reconstruct!) a foundational theological statement that shades our interpretation of all scripture: “God loves and blesses the Matriarchs and Patriarchs (mothers and fathers of the people of Israel) because they are good and faithful.”

Note: We will address two of these in-between stories (Babel and Noah) next week.

Key Words:

Bless, blessing, to be a blessing, Provision, Protection, Pardon, Called, Exodus, Grace.

This Weeks Team:

Luke, Tim, Angela, Jamie (leading).

This weeks set:

Refuge (Lets give this a shot and see what happens!)

Inside Out

The Summons (don't worry about this one!)

Take My Life and Let it Be/ I am Yours

May Your Power Rest on Me

Set List

1) Glorious - D

2) God You Are My God - A
Or
Revelation Song - G

3) O For A Thousand Tounges To Sing - G

4) Nothing But the Blood - C

5) Psalm 62 - C

Sunday Service Order

Time	Element	Who
	Pre-Service Music	Media
10:30	Welcome	Team
10:30	Worship 1 · Oh Happy Day · All Creatures of Our God and King	Worship Team
10:55	Pray and Dismiss Kids	Janice
11:05	Announcements	Janice
11:10	Worship 2 · Be Thou My Vision · It is you · All I have is yours
11:15	Read the Text (I’ll give it to you Sunday!)	Sue Watson
11:20	Sermon	Megan

Hey Leadership! Let me know what announcements you need to make, and we will put them in on Sunday - Janice is taking care of them, so make sure she know's (:

Thanks guys, if there is anything you need give me a call 360-241-8957

Hey ALL!

So worship for the 17th is:

Oh Happy Day Eb

All Creatures of Our God and King D

Be Thou My Vision A

It is You G
All I have is Yours C

So Luke won't be joining us this Sunday, Tim would you play drums? Let me know if that would work for ya!

Set for the 10th

Hey, everyone! Sorry about the late post. I've had a rough beginning to my week being under the weather. But, better late than never I suppose. Maybe. See you all tonight!!

Your Love Never Fails - Bb

Jesus Paid It All - Bb

Psalter, Psalm 8

How Great Is Our God - C (Or, some song that everyone knows that we can sing a chorus in at least one other language. Suggestions?)

We Fall Down - E

First set of the new month!

And lo, I beheld a list and all the songs were in C! As far as it's been determined anyway...

Hosanna - C/Am, whichever you want to call it.

God You Are My God - Key?

In Christ Alone - C

Divine Romance - C

Living For Your Glory - Key?

Set for the 25th

O, Praise Him - Bb

Oh, Happiness - G - Here's an acoustic version as well.

Hosanna - G

Mighty To Save - A

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - G

What's so good about the Bible?

This weeks text: Isaiah 53:4-12; 54:1-5 and 11-14

This Weeks Psalm:

This weeks Theme: What so Good about the News of the Bible?

This week in a Nut Shell:

A question often asked by our culture concerns the Bible. It goes something like this: “How can you say the scriptures are ‘good news’ when they are full of violence, the ill-treatment of women and injustice carried out in the name of God? What is so good about that news?”

The Bible is the foundation of everything we believe here at Pullman Foursquare, and specifically the foundation of the past five weeks of teaching! If the scripture is not fair territory from which to argue for the faith, then we have little to stand on other than experience. Experience is absolutely necessary, but experience without history is subjective – open to interpretation.

This week we will look at the heart of the Christian scriptures and particularly the message of “Good News” and answer a few of these question about cultural regression and injustice carried out in the name of God and briefly about the reliability of the scriptures.

Song suggestion: Could you guys take a look at “We are listening” (Chords MP3) from Sojourn’s album Before the Throne? – This would be great to do as a offering song this week.

Worship Set for Sunday the 19th

HEY ALL!! So here's the list for this Sunday. We're doing things a bit differently now - were going to try and get the music up a bit earlier so you guys have a chance to work with them longer. I hope your all having a great week, look forward to Wednesday.

Nothing But the Blood C

Psalm 62 C

How He Loves C

Be Thou My Vision A

Revelation Song D

And hey don't forget to check out the blog entries - our heart is to have this be a worship community where everyone is welcome to share and be heard, and that means you!

Also, Josue and I will be getting to the church early on Wednesday's (around 5) to play around with the music and get some creative juices goin, so if you can make it come on down early (:

Suffering? How can a good God allow so much suffering?

Next weeks Theme: Suffering; if God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world?

Next weeks text: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Next weeks Psalm: Psalm 73

In a nut shell:

Our world is full of pain and suffering. As far as we can tell, since humans have been recording history, it always has been. From major natural disasters such as the floods in Asia and the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean to human trafficking, holocaust and Genocide – suffering is deeply apart of our human experience. What is more, even here in protected America, God’s beloved country, there is the suffering of individuals from natural disasters, human disease and self-destruction.

Two central assertions of the Christian Faith is that God is good and that God is loving. How can these teachings be consistent with the world we see around us? Surly if God loved us and was good He would not allow so much suffering. Either God is not good, or God is not loving, or God is powerless to do anything about it.

First Peter will give us a way forward and help us to see that God is loving, God is good, God is powerful. But more than that, this text will teach us what true suffering is, how it works in our lives to change us and where God is when we suffer.

Themes: Salvation, restoration, resurrection, suffering, tears, pain, injustice.

Song Change 'N More

I just posted down bellow on the list the new song - Remedy. I have it linked to a video full of depressing pictures but, at least you can hear the song.

And here's the "More" part. I just wanted to express, first of all, my gratitude for everyone taking time out of their lives to be a part of the band. Not only for being a part of what is, I feel, possibly the most important part of the weekly meetings we call "church" - the part where we all as the people of God, together sing out in worship and in response to what God is doing. But also for myself as a musician who enjoys playing other musicians - especially good ones. You guys are a joy to play with and I'm very excited to see what's going to happen as we develop together as a band.

So now that we've grown a little with a a couple new additions I'd like to address that togetherness. One thing that I feel is very important is that we take some time to get to know each other. You guys aren't a bunch of pairs of hands that mash their fingers on keys and fret boards and hold a pair of sticks. I believe that to get to a point to where we can creatively be free with each other we need to get to know one-another. And more importantly, as a worship band, in order to be together and free in our endeavor to lead people in worship, we need to be together and free with each other. So here's my point: I think it'd be great to hang out with you guys - get some coffee, catch a show, get together for a bqq/dinner - whatever it may be.

The other thing I'd like to address is our collective creativity. First of all, a bit of an apology on my part is in order. For the most part, the creative process I go through concerning the songs we play on Sundays has largely happened outside of our practices. More specifically Megan and I, being good friends, tend to bring out our instruments when we hang out and inevitably that's where most of the creative process has occurred. It's been selfish of me to leave the rest of the band out of the loop for the funnest part of playing together - creating music. So, my sincerest apologies to everyone. That being said, I'd like to invite everyone to make this band your own and bring your creative touch to the music we play. How we put this together, I don't know at this point and this is part of where you guys all come in. We're going to take a little time at the beginning of next weeks practice to talk this over and see how we can find a way to allow all of us to actually make music together. If you have any comments or suggestions, questions or whatever you can, of course, get a hold of me - email or phone - or you can add a comment to this post.

See you all Sunday if not before.

Worship Set

Hey everyone, here's the set for the week. We're going to be doing that song I've been passing around via email: "We Are Changed". Or at least we're going to give it a shot. Practice today will be at 5:30 and probably from now on. See you all tonight!

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

Nothing But the Blood

Remedy - pardon the depressing slideshow playing on that video... And here's a link to tabs from David Crowder. And here's a link to the Chord Sheet. Ignore the "tune to Eb" note....we'll play this is standard tuning.

Jesus Paid it All

All I Have

How can a "Good God" judge people and send them to Hell?

This weeks Text: Luke 16:19-31

This Weeks Psalm: 146

This weeks theme: Judgment and Hell

This weeks question: How can a "Good God" judge people and send them to Hell?

Now we come to a really sticky situation! If God is good, why is it that he seems so willing to judge people for wrongs (based on laws they didn't know) and then punish them eternally without any hope of repentance. This concept of judgment and hell seems to fly in the face of the concept of a loving God.

BUT! I believe that, counter to what it may now appear, the concepts of Judgment and Hell are absolutely crucial to understanding our own hearts, for living at peace in the world and for knowing the "unconditional" love of God. (Hint - there was my outline ;)

Luke 16 will give us some very important insights and counter intuitive answers to this difficult question.

SONG SUGGESTION/ REQUESTS : Please follow up with the new Hymn from last week "Jesus Paid it all" - I love that one!!!! also - if you could give the Sojourn "We are Changed" song a shot - it fits with the whole series really well - and it's super cool too.

Questions, comments, suggestions, rants raves or other notes of discontent - e-mail me!

Hey Gang! Here's worship for the 5th

Nothing Can Separate C

On Christ the Solid Rock B flat

Jesus Paid it all E Flat

All to Jesus I surrender G

All I have is Yours


Welcome Erin O'Neill to worship team tomorrow!!

Is there really only one way to God?

This Weeks Text: 1 John 4:1-10

This Weeks Psalm: Psalm 103

This Weeks Theme: Exclusivism

This Weeks Question: How can you say, "There is only one way to God?" Aren't all religions equal?

In a nut shell: 20 years ago most people believed that the primary barrier to world peace was political idealism (communism vs. socialism vs. capitalism ect…) Today, however that understanding has shifted, and if you were to ask the question, "What is the greatest barrier to world peace?" people will respond with, "religion."

There has been a great many efforts to deal with this - and removing "exclusive truth claims" (ie - there is only one way to God) from the religious debate is primary. However - this method will not, has not and cannot be the solution be the solution for the problems our world faces, and specifically the problem of world peace.

Christianity is the only philosophy, faith system and world religion that redeems and transforms this world (our lives, our planet, our relationships etc) through creating a path for it's followers to become the radical, loving, reconciling, people that this world so desperately needs.

We will be celebrating communion this week!

Themes for music: Reconciliation, making old things new, transformation, salvation through Jesus Christ.

Set List - 8/29

Glorious - D

Revelation Song - G

In Christ Alone - G

Psalter: Psalm 19 - Cm

Oh, How He Loves - C

Hey hey!! Worship for the 25th

Your Love Never Fails C

Before the Throne of God B flat

How Great Thou Art C

What Can I do D

O Praise Him D

I didn't preach this last week - so were on for next week! By the way, last Sunday was great! Megan and Josue - I love singing with you two, it's too much fun!

This weeks text: 2 Cor. 9:6-15 (also 2 Cor. 8:9, Mal 3:8-10)

This weeks Leader: MEGAN!!!

In a nut shell:

Money is a sensitive subject in our culture, but one in the forefront of our thoughts, motivations and actions. If you ask Americans what is the most important political issue our country faces today some 50% will respond with an economic issue (taxes, economy, deficit, spending, jobs).

Money is important to us.

Yet, if you ask people why they don’t go to church – 1 in 10 will say that the church is only interested in their money.

Money can be traced as the root source of many of the problems in society and nearly all the worry, stress and anxiety we experience is tied to money. Even still, money is seen as the great hope of the world. If you look at statistics at all you will see that there is always a dollar amount listed as a solution to the problem.

It would be artificial to not talk about money when it is such a central theme in our cultural conversation. Especially so when Scripture has so much to say on the subject.

So – this week we will look at money, our lives and the gospel and ask the question: “Who’s really in control of your life?”

Extravagant Generosity

This weeks text: 2 Cor. 9:6-15 (also 2 Cor. 8:9, Mal 3:8-10)

In a nut shell:

Money is a sensitive subject in our culture, but one in the forefront of our thoughts, motivations and actions. If you ask Americans what is the most important political issue our country faces today some 50% will respond with an economic issue (taxes, economy, deficit, spending, jobs).

Money is important to us.

Yet, if you ask people why they don’t go to church – 1 in 10 will say that the church is only interested in their money.

Money can be traced as the root source of many of the problems in society and nearly all the worry, stress and anxiety we experience is tied to money. Even still, money is seen as the great hope of the world. If you look at statistics at all you will see that there is always a dollar amount listed as a solution to the problem.

It would be artificial to not talk about money when it is such a central theme in our cultural conversation. Especially so when Scripture has so much to say on the subject.

So – this week we will look at money, our lives and the gospel and ask the question: “Who’s really in control of your life?”

This weeks team:

Adam- Bass, one last week ;(

Luke – Drums – not his last week :)

Megan – Keys

Lead Guitar – Josue

Rhythm, Leader – Jamie

This weeks set: (Picked by Adam, mostly for the awesome bass parts!)

My Glorious or for better music quality

This is my Fathers World

Majesty

My soul sings

May your power rest on me

Psalter: Psalm 63

Set List for 7/11

So here's the list as of now. I still haven't decided on a song to end with but I'll have that for you soon if not for tonight. See you all at practice!!

Your Love Never Fails - C

Holy Is the Lord - G (?)

Oh, How He Loves Us - C

Living For Your Glory - E

Risk taking mission and service

This Weeks Theme: Risk Taking Mission and Service

This weeks Text: John 4:1-42

John 4 relates to us a very familiar story; the story of the woman at the well. This is the longest recorded conversation with Jesus in any Gospel, and yet our familiarity with it has caused us to be blinded to the absolute and utter danger involved in this seemingly chance meeting.

If Jesus had been “caught” speaking with this woman at all his status as a godly teacher would have been tarnished at best or destroyed at worst. This woman was first and foremost just that – a woman. Secondly, she was a Samaritan – a member of what the Jews considered to be a cult, which defiled their faith and stabbed them in the back politically. Thirdly, she had a pretty shady background with five previous marriages and a live in lover. Nothing about this woman said talk to me, yet Jesus risks it all to fulfill his mission on earth.

We often use the phrase, “following God” or “following Jesus” – to many on the outside of our faith, this makes no sense! How can you follow what you cannot see? Fair point. Yet, we continue to “follow Jesus” by reading his story, learning from his example and going where he would (and still does) go.

If we are going to continue to call ourselves “Christians,” or Christ-followers, if we will be like minded with Christ, if we will see the transformation of lives and communities take place in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our city – we must go where he goes. And Jesus is always going into the wild places, into risky situations, to unloved people.

And so, we must too.

8 ideas for developing Creative Worship

Hi All-

The below is a blog post from "Everyday Liturgy" - a blog I ran across through Jonny Bakers Blog. It's a great discussion starter and idea primer. Read it and let me know what you think. I'd like to plan a series of "Creative" or "Alternative" worship nights this fall - maybe once a month. This can start the conversation.

Also - check out these links to Grace, an Alt worship community in England.

Grace main page

Grace Archive Service page

JP

I would like to invite you into a world of possibilities. Jeremy Begbie, a distinguished professor at both Duke Divinity School and Cambridge University, often says, “the arts are showing us over and over again the possibilities of transformation…they show us how things can be even in this world [and] even the worst can be woven into God’s purposes.” If this is the case, then what possibilities might the art of Christian worship be showing us?

This past January, I spent some significant time with several communities in the United Kingdom (U.K.) who have been engaged for at least two decades now in a movement called alternative worship. These worshipping communities have created a broad spectrum of improvisations on Christian worship using popular culture, their own specific cultural contexts and of course their Anglican tradition. But how does one even begin to improvise with the vast tradition of Christian worship?

I have compiled eight ideas from my time in the UK that can help break open our imagination for developing creative worship. The most important thread that runs through all of these, however, is risk. Simply put, if you don’t risk, you won’t innovate.

1.Write Your Own Liturgy // Many (if not most) of the alt. worship gatherings have a communal practice of writing their own liturgy with images, metaphors, visual references, and language indigenous to their own location (think social location, geographic location, denominational location). If you find yourself in a place where liturgical forms are more restricting than freeing, even starting with elements of the worship often not typically seen as “sacred” can open up space for further improvisation. The prayers of the people, the invocation or the benediction all offer fairly non-abrasive way in to creative prayer.

2. Encourage the Artist(s) // In the Church of modernity, rationalism dominated. Making room for the voice of the artist to be heard, seen or felt inspired creativity. Artists know better than us “nonartists” (Everyone is creative, whether or not they identify themselves as an “artist”) that exposure to creative thinking fuels further creative thought. The arts are often highly encouraged within alt. worship in a wide range of ways. The result is a creative atmosphere, a culture of creativity.

3. Practice Storytelling // The practice of telling the story of a community’s life together evokes shared memories as well as critical reflections. At times such a community practice even raises a diversity of perspectives about that shared history! Alt. worship has made a habit of telling their stories at Greenbelt (an annual music festival where alt. worship communities converge for a “family reunion” of sorts), resource weekends and in collaboration with local community partners. Make use of the biblical narratives too when telling your story. Remember that the biblical stories are not so much authoritative because they happened, but because they happen…today.

4. Imitate Someone Who Inspires You // Imitation is a powerful tool for improvisation. It is a practice of careful and intentional study. Even when taking careful considering to imitate and replicate, new connections and insights are made. Doing the same routine in a new place invites creative thinking and deeper attention to context. It won’t matter the medium, so think broadly here. Below are several sites that have documented alt. worship gatherings all over the world. Find something that inspires you and imitate it with careful reflection on your own context.

5. Visit Art Galleries // Though it may seem odd, there is much that can be learned from experiencing well laid out and well curated art exhibits. Paying attention to flow, lighting, presentation of the art and background information presented can provide new ways for thinking about creativity. At Grace (London), Jonny Baker has developed much thinking on “curating worship.” For example every Grace service is led by a “curator.” The idea here is that when good curation happens, you experience the difference and yet no one ever knows or realizes who the curators of any exhibit are. Good curation is felt more than noticed on the surface.

6. Create Boundaries and Limits // Often it is harder to be creative with absolute freedom. Rather than starting with a blank canvas, choose an element of liturgy (or other aspect/event of community life) and create intentional boundaries to work within. For example, many of the alt. worship gatherings were limited to the presence of only lay people. This meant that their sacramental practices had to be creative with other areas of the service — such as creating prayer stations, the worship space itself or music.

7.Do Less, Simplify // Similar to creating boundaries, limiting the content to the bare minimum often produces a more creative setting. Create a special seasonal service (Advent, Lent, for example) with the bare minimum. Use the same scripture multiple weeks in a row or use the same prayer repetitiously but in slightly different way. Though many alt. worship services are intricate, many participants often choose a single prayer station or opportunity to express themselves. Another example of this repetitive simplicity can be found at the Community of Taizé where simple chants are repeated over and over again.

8. Create a Change of Scenery // Often times when we are dislocated, we find ourselves with a new awareness of our surroundings. Changing the location (be intentional here) of where worship or another community life event is help to re-imagine what the possibilities are. A change of scenery was responsible for both Transcendence (Visions, York) and for a new rhythms of community life at Grace (London).

As you begin to take risks and develop your own creative worship, perhaps a careful distinction would be helpful. Christianity has a rich history and tradition. In fact it’s quite creative. I want to draw a distinction between traditional (adjective) and traditioned (verb) worship. Like all adjectives, traditional is highly relative and has come to be equated with the static — maintaining the status quo. The later, traditioned, as a verb, represents an active process of engagement and study with a particular tradition. We all come from a tradition. Worship that is traditioned though has been intentionally seasoned (think “flavored”) with the symbols, images, metaphors, language and icons that contain deep significance for Christian faith. But traditioned worship has also been handed over to a new day, a time in which the original must also speak to the present and to the future. That is to say, they become relevant for today and beyond by their very function. And so if we are to develop creative worship that helps us make meaning of the world we find ourselves it, it will be both traditioned and relevant. But those two are never intrinsically mutually exclusive.

—–

Tim Snyder is the co-founder of the Netzer Co-Op, an emerging community in Austin, Texas. He holds the bachelors of arts in theology from Texas Lutheran University and is a graduate student at Luther Seminary. Tim is Managing Editor of GENERATE Magazine. Tim previously contributed an article on the liturgy of the farmers market to The Everyday Journal

Independence Day Worship..ha

Hey all!! Hope your soakin up as many rays as possible.

Forever C

Psalm 62 D

What Can I do D

Nothing Can Separate C

All Creatures of Our God and King D

See ya at 6!!!

Worship For 7/4/10

Hello Everyone.

I am not preaching this week! Yea!

I have asked Paul (from Kenya) to speak for me this week as I am planning on attending a Family reunion this weekend.

Paul will be speaking on the subject of "Independence and Freedom." In America these two words have become synonyms - meaning the same thing. However, they are not at all the same. From the Christian point of view, God calls us to freedom - but not to independence.

This will be an interesting discussion and all the more so since Paul is not from America. I look forward to hearing his perspective.

So - I don't know what scripture he will use or how he will get there - so play it by ear!

Also, please try to avoid flag waving, patriotic songs ("I'm proud to be an american" is right out!)

Service order will be on stage by Wednesday night.

Peace,

Jamie

Intentional Faith Development - 6/27/10

This Weeks Text: Psalm 27; Acts 2:42-47

This Weeks Theme: Intentional Faith Development

In a nutshell:

Amongst Pentecostal churches, Acts 2 42-47 may be one of the most preached on passages. So, I thought I’d do my part to continue the tradition! Actually, I’ve been preaching on this passage for the past several weeks and will continue to do so for the next several. Acts 2 describes how the first church operated and functioned as a result of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. If you read it closely you will see that 6 of the 7 practices that we will look at are found here (the exception being Premeditated Rest – but one could argue that being a Jewish community, Sabbath Rest was also part of normal life).

This week we will look specifically at the concept of growing in our faith. And not as a simple byproduct of belief, but as something we intentionally engage in, work at and strive for. The New Testament writers sprinkled their letters with encouragement to Grow in Faith (which makes it difficult to find just one passage that adequately covers the subject. So, rather than just stick to the New Testament, I want to the book that people for around 3000 years have used to expand their faith; the book that has defined prayer, worship and theology for centuries, the book of Psalms.

We will take a look specifically at just one Psalm, a sample of the 150 collected songs that together express every human emotion, every spiritual experience and every human experience imaginable.

Note: This week we will not simply read the Psalm, but we will sing it also! The Psalter is a tool that the Church has used for a long time to interact with the Psalms and to get them into our heads and heart. This will be a fun experience for those of you who have never encountered it!

This weeks Team:

Drums – Luke

Bass - Adam

Keys – Megan

Lead – Josue

Rhythm Electric – Luis

Lead Worshipper – Jamie

This weeks set:

Glorious D

Oh for a Thousand Tongues D - or instructional

Revelation Song (Not sure on key, also, not the 27 minute version seen here!)

Psalm 62

Psalter - Psalm 27 (this is the sheet music)

We will probably close with one of these songs, possible Psalm 62

Jamie

Worship Set - 6/20/10

Musicians:

Josue - Vocal/Acoustic Guitar

Luis - Vocal/ Acoustic Guitar

Megan ? - Vocal/ Piano

Songs:

O, Praise Him - Bb

O, For a Thousand Tongues To Sing (the Crowder version) - G

• link 1 - This is a bit of an instructional by David Crowder
• link 2 - This is just the song

Jesus Messiah - G

All I Have Is Yours (by Sojourn Music)- G

The Heart of Wroship - D

Passionate Worship - Part II

This weeks text: Isaiah 6:1-8, 58:1-12

This week in a nut shell:

Last weeks we discussed a definition of worship that involves the whole human in assigning value to God in such a way that it causes life transformation. This week we will look at four key elements of healthy, passionate worship. 1) Where worship takes place, 2) the focus and subject of our worship, 3)What happens when we worship, and 4) why even people who don't believe in God should want us to worship!

ALSO - I've posted the song list here. Download it!

Hey guys, Megan here using Josue's login until I get one.

Let Everything that has Breath A

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) D

Your Name D

May Your Power Rest On Me D

Revelation Song A

Hope Everyones having a great Wednesday, see ya tonight!

Passionate Worship

Hello All!

This weeks Theme: Passionate Worship

This weeks Text: Isaiah 6: 1-8; Isaiah 58:1-14

This weeks Title: Passionate Worship

This weeks team:

Worship Leader: Megan

Lead Guitar: Josue

Rhythm/ Acoustic: Luis

Bass: Adam

Drums: Luke

Vocals: Eliza, Josue, Megan

In a Nut Shell:

We live in a culture of worship.

That statement may be difficult to swallow if you confine the word “worship” to a religious environment like church, temple, synagogue etc – but worship is a far greater subject than just that. We were made for worship, and no matter what we believe about God, we all worship something – we all serve something.

So, the question becomes, what are you worshiping, rather than do you worship. In the church today, I would argue, that rather than worshiping God, Christians often find themselves worshiping worship! Worship is a drug in which we indulge, getting our fix each week. Our music is something to be consumed not something to engage with or allow our souls to respond to God through. (Note: This is a statement of generality – not necessarily a statement about our specific community – though, it could apply to each of us!)

This week I want to explore a few questions:

What or who do we worship?

What does healthy worship look like in the context of our community?

Why is worship so important in our culture and how is worship accomplishing the mission of Christ?

As an interesting twist – we will do two thing different this week. 1, we will close with worship, as a response to the message – and 2, we will end the message in a discussion forum! It should be fun, see you all Sunday!

Jamie