Worship at the Cordova

Sunday the 29th of January

2012-01-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

Rise - C

Awaken The Dawn - G

Hosanna - E

Earnestly I Seek Thee - G

From The Inside Out - C
- usual version
- acoustic version

All I Have - C

New songs! - Updated with even more songs!

2012-01-24T01:44:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Here's a list of songs that I've been compiling of songs that I'd like to give a shot at. We'll be practicing these for the next while and working them into our Sunday sets over time. If you guys have any songs that you'd like to try just let me know! I've been looking all over for songs and I'd love to have all of your guys' input. This list will likely grow but this is what we'll go with for now.

Gungor:
1) Brother Moon
2) Every Breath

David Crowder*Band:
3) Fall On Your Knees
4) Oh My God
Edit: Come Find Me
Edit: Oh Great Love Of God

Hillsong:
5) Rise
6) Age To Age
Edit: I Will Exalt You

Christmas Eve Service

2011-12-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

Joy To The World / All Creatures Of Our God And King - D

O Come, O come Emmanuel - Em

O Holy Night - C

Silent Night

Angels We Have Heard On High - G

O Come All Ye Faithful - G

Amen, Amen - Em

Closing in on Christmas!

2011-12-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Here's the list for this Sunday. I'll be making another post soon with all the songs that we'll be doing for Christmas eve.

This is the set as it stands now - I'll another song or two before Sunday.

Joy To The World - D

The Earth Is Yours - D

O Come O Come Emanuel - Em

Amen Amen - G

Christmas time is here!!

2011-11-13T16:16:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! So for this weeks practice we're not going to practice the following Sunday's song. Instead we'll be getting ready for the Christmas season. I'll be posting songs that we did last year as well as some that I'd like to add. I'm sure that we wont get to all of them this Wednesday but please give 'em all a listen and get familiar with them. See you guys at practice!

Songs From Last Year

Joy To The World - A
What Child Is This - Cm
Amen, Amen - Am
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - C#m

New Songs

Joy To The World - D

This is a different version using the traditional melody

The Earth Stood Still - Eb
Angels We Have Heard On High - G

I couldn't find a way to directly link this one but here's a link to the album on grooveshark. Just click play on the song to listen to it.

O Holy Night

2011-10-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here are the songs we practiced Wednesday. Quick reminder: if you could all think about what songs you'd most like to do at the Worship Night and let me know Sunday, that'd be great! See you all then.

O, Praise Him - Bb

My Glorious - A

Beautiful Things - D

Be Thou My Vision - C

All I Have - C

2011-10-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - G

Awaken The Dawn (Sing To The Lord) - G

Be Thou My Vision

Lead Me To The Cross

My Soul Sings - C

In Christ Alone - G

Here it is, finally!

2011-10-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Anthem Song - Bb

Jesus Paid It All - Bb

Revelation Song - D

Nothing But The Blood - C
- I'm not posting a video of this song because we do it different enough that it'd just be confusing.

The House Of God Forever - C

Psalm 62 - C

2011-10-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey, all. We're doing things a little different this week. But is that really any different? So here's what's happening: we're starting out the service with KIDS WORSHIP!! Woohoo. So Erin and perhaps Becky are going to be leading us in getting kids excited and worshiping. After that we'll continue with worship like usual. So be prepared to learn some moves tonight! Here's the list including the kids worship songs:

Kids Worship:

Wild About Us

He Reigns - G

Not technically a kids song but that's alright.

Adult Worship?:

May Your Power Rest On Me - F

The House Of God Forever

I Have Found - G

Breaking Through - D

Better late than never - Set for the 28th

2011-09-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Here it is, in no particular order:

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - G

Refuge - F
- This link isn't a video but it's an audio track of the recording.

Beautiful Things - D

One Thing Remains - B

Remedy - G

Prodigal - A

Set For The 25th

2011-09-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Lot's of songs this week, everyone. Including one new one. We might end up axing one of these because I think there might not be time for all of them but I have to double check on the service order with Jamie. So, let's try to get right to it at 5:30 and get these all down. By the way, you guys all did really great this last Sunday. Jamie got a lot of good feedback and I can say for myself you were all on the ball. Well, we did kinda screw up the ending to Anthem Song but I'm pretty sure no one noticed and that's as good as it never happening so, good job! Hope you're all having a good week and see you at practice!

The Earth Is Yours - D

O, Praise Him - Bb

Hosanna - E

Christ The Solid Rock - E

Breaking Through - D

We Will Run - G

New Song: Prodigal - A

Sunday the 18th - Edit: Videos now posted

2011-09-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hey, all. We have a very different service this week. It's going to revolve around three parts: A sending off of Annie Feuerstein, three or four baptisms, and then an introduction of all the small groups. So, bellow I have the songs as well as a basic service order. See you all at practice!

Anthem Song - Bb

Your Love Never Fails - Bb

Annie Send Off

Living For Your Glory - E

From The Inside Out - C

Baptisms

Oh Happy Day - C

Jesus Paid It All - Bb

Small Groups

Ending Song - something from above most likely

Set for Sunday 9/11

2011-09-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Here's the list as it stands. There will be two more songs which will be completely familiar to us.

Psalm 62 - C

None But Jesus - E

One Thing Remains - B

Edit: Here's the last couple songs

The Earth is Yours - D

Awaken The Dawn (Sing To The Lord) - G

Welcome Back Luke!!

2011-08-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

So here it is....finally.

Edit: So, last minute changes. Trading a few songs out...check out the revised set.

Anthem Song - Bb

Your Love Never Fails - Bb

Your Love Is Strong- B

One Things Remains - C

Breaking Through - D - I'll give this a shot....see if I can pull it off.

2011-08-05T15:50:00.001-07:00

So here are the songs we practiced on Wednesday with a couple more songs to be posted hopefully later today or tomorrow. I had a busy couple of days so I haven't had a chance to talk to Jamie about Sunday's message. But for now here's what we've got so far:

The Earth Is Yours - D

Forever - A

Your Love Is Strong - B

Angela's Back!

2011-07-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Here's the first four songs. I'm having a hard time deciding on songs for this Sunday (thanks Jamie...) so I'll post the last one soon. And welcome back Angela!!

Awaken The Dawn (Sing To The Lord) - G

Your Love Never Fails

Refuge - F

In Christ Alone - G

2011-07-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Jamie is leading this week, so that's exciting. Here's the list and see you guys at practice!

The Earth is Yours - B

Glorious - B

My Soul Sings - C

I Have Found - G

How He Loves - C

We Will Run - E

Kaboom!!! - that was the firework that just exploded outside

2011-07-03T01:31:00.000-07:00

O Praise Him

The Earth Is Yours

On Christ The Solid Rock

Found

- Version 1 Version 2

2011-06-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing - G

The Earth Is Yours - D

Nothing But The Blood - C

Living For Your glory - E

In Christ Alone - G

Our first 6 O'clock Sunday!

2011-06-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Quick reminder: service is at six beginning this Sunday all through the summer until August 21st. We'll talk tonight about how we want to handle Sunday practice. See you all then!

My Glorious - A

Revelation Song - G?

Open Skies - A

Psalm 62 - C

My Soul Sings - Here's a tutorial for this song. - C

Set for 5/18

2011-05-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

My Glorious - A

Living For Your Glory - E

Lead me To the Cross - C#m

Breaking Through - D

Good Friday Set

2011-04-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here's the big one, everybody. The next worship night coincidentaly also Good Friday. You'll notice nearly every song on the set listed is new. I'm posting all the new tunes for now and I'll be posting a few more that we're familiar with later. My idea is to get these out of the way or at least get familiar with them tonight at practice and then do a quick run through of more familiar tunes before the service on Friday. See you guys all tonight!

Hosanna - C

Messiah

Opposite Way

May Your Power Rest On Me - Dm

Via Dolorosa (Leeland)

Lead Me To The Cross

Savior King - F

April 9th!

2011-04-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! So as you know this weekend is the Encounter and Jamie won't be in town. Were not going to do any worship at the end, just in the beginning. Lookin forward to seeing you tonight!

Revelation Song

Psalm 62

It is You

You Have Redeemed My Soul

Before the Throne

NEW: You have Ravished my heart Chords warning - We may change the key (:

First Set of April!

2011-03-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing - G

I Have Found - G

Beautiful Things - D

Found - Bb: ver.1, ver.2

All I Have - C

List For

2011-03-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

Awaken The Dawn - G

Your Love Never Fails - C

On Christ The Solid Rock - Bb

- New chord progression: Bb F Fm Ab Eb

Come and Listen - F

I Have Found - G

2011-02-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

Quick note: I'll be posting a couple more songs tomorrow but I wanted to get up what we'll be practicing tonight for sure. These songs are all pretty new to us or, we just need to work on them. Whatever I post tomorrow will be completely familiar to us and you guys can probably play in your sleep. See you guys tonight!

We Will Run - G

O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing - G

Here's a sort of tutorial on this song by David Crowder for those new to it.

For the guitar players - Forget all the alternate tuning stuff. I mostly posted that

so that you can get a feel for the rhythm of the song

Beautiful Things - D

Breaking Through - D

Worship for the 6th

2011-02-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Family, the set this week is fairly simple. We are doing the full version of the Beautiful Things song. And the sojourn song Lead Us Back for communion. Jamie is speaking on confession of sin this Sunday - and I invite you to join with me in prayer for the community of pullman and our church community that people would turn to the Lord and restoration would take place. Looking forward to seeing you guys tonight!

Nothing Can separate C

In Christ Alone C

Be Thou My vision Ab - Offering

Lead Us Back chords - communion

Before the throne of God A

Beautiful Things D

Come Thou Fount Ab

Set For 1/30

2011-01-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

First Set:
Glorious - D

Revelation Song - G

Offering:
Your Love Is Strong -

Second Set/Communion:
Remedy - G

All Creatures Of Our God and King - D

EDIT: We're going to tack on a portion of THIS song to the end of All Creatures. Basically just the Chorus and Bridge. Here's a Chord Sheet.

2011-01-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!! Sorry the list was late, the internet at my apartment was shut off some time last night, so I had to wait to use the schools.

O Praise Him Bb

Hosanna (i see the king of glory) C

Jesus Paid it All Bb

All I have is Yours C

Come thou Fount A

Offering Song = You have redeemed My soul C

So this week we will be doing communion as a church. I'd like to work on some instrumental music tonight, nothing too big, just creative interludes and what not. Praying for you guys, I'm excited to worship with you tonight!

2011-01-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Day - C or Eb

Awaken The Dawn - G

It Is You - F

Breaking Through - D

Amazing Grace - G

First Blog For The New Year

2011-01-05T14:45:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great holiday season. I'm back at it at work getting the studio ready for the new semester so I wont have time to make practice this week. But here's a list with one new song that's super easy. Can't wait to get the band back together!...mostly anyway. See you guys Sunday.

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)

Awaken The Dawn/Sing To the Lord - not sure on the key

You're Beautiful (Video presented to you in HD!) - D

Majesty - C

Mighty To Save - A

Last Set of 2010

2010-12-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-11-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

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.......

2010-11-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-09-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

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

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?

2010-09-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-09-07T10:24:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-08-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-08-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Glorious - D

Revelation Song - G

In Christ Alone - G

Psalter: Psalm 19 - Cm

Oh, How He Loves - C

2010-07-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

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

In a nut shell:

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.

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

2010-07-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-06-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-07T15:16:00.001-07:00

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

Radical Hospitality - Going above and beyond to love others into the family of Christ.

2010-06-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

This weeks Text: Luke 6:17-38

This weeks Title: Radical Hospitality: Living upside down, inside out and backwards.

This weeks theme: Radical Hospitality – welcoming and evangelism, together at last.

This weeks worship team:

Leader – Jamie P.
Rhythm Electric Guitar – Luis S.
Lead Guitar - Josue.
Bass - Adam W.
Drum – Luke B.
Singers - ???

In a Nut Shell:

Radical hospitality is not coffee and donuts (although donuts are nice). It is not a greeter at the door. It is an orientation of our being that sees everyone as a valued guest. It is the deep belief that God loves us humans and that each and every life holds significance.

When Jesus sat down and told his followers about his Kingdom, his message always seemed upside down from the world he (and now we) lived in. In Luke 6 we see Jesus saying that people who live in his Kingdom (i.e. the “saved”) will be a people who weep, mourn, who are hungry and in need. He also said that his people will “love their enemies” and bless those who curse them.

If we are the church of Jesus, Jesus followers, then not only will we be a people who fit this description, but a people who go out of their way to make other people (poor, sick, oppressed, marginalized people) feel like they are a welcome part of our family. Showing hospitality means that when you see those people who others see as outcasts, you see as family. Not the 2nd cousin twice removed that you have only seen at a few funerals kind of family, but the spouse or child type of family.

Getting there is not easy though. So this week we will look into some basic Jesus teaching that will lead us into a life of Radical welcome and Uncommon Unity.

“Christianity has taken a giant stride into the absurd. Remove from Christianity its ability to shock and it is altogether destroyed. It then becomes a tiny superficial thing, capable neither of inflicting deep wounds nor of healing them. It’s when the absurd starts to sound reasonable that we should begin to worry. “[What assertions are so absurd? Try these on for size] “Blessed are the meek; thou shalt not kill; love your enemies; go, sell all you have and give to the poor!”

-Soren Kierkegaard

This weeks Worship Songs:

Glorious… D

Take My Life and Let it Be/ I am Yours… D

O How He Loves Us …. C

Offering

Living for your glory A

Tis So Sweet…D (My arrangement)

Closing Song… Not I But Christ (Traditional Hymn, no recording)
OR>>>>>> May your Power Rest on Me (F) - See video in side bar!

That's all folks.

2010-05-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Or more specifically, Luke and Luis. Here's the finished list for Sunday:

Hosanna (Praise Rising)

Blessed Be Your Name

Beautiful Lord

Ancient Skies

Mighty To Save

Worth Fighting For

2010-05-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

This weeks Text: John 15:1-17

This Weeks Theme: 7 Practices of a Community on Mission for God

This weeks title: Atheist or Achurch?

In a nut shell: Most people don't have any trouble believing in God, what they have a hard time with is the Church. Why is that? Has the church become obsolete in our culture or is there something else going on? And, if it's not obsolete, how can we "get out of the way" so that people can know God?

I believe in the Church. And, I believe that the church, Jesus' ideal of church, is something worth fighting for. What is the church suppose to be and how can we get there?

This week we will set the stage, our build a foundation, for the church in our culture today - and our foundational building blocks are conversation (not conversion), community (not individualism) and Communion (eating with Jesus).

7 Practices

2010-05-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

In August of 2009 (9/9/09 - to be exact) a movie, called 9, was released. The story is a dark on, set at the end of humanity, the death of society. As the humans die off slowly, one scientist (a mad one by the looks of him) creates 9 little dolls and then gives them the breath of life. When our world ends, their mission (the mission to restore the world) begins.

Frankly, I have not yet seen the movie - it's really just the plot that caught my attention. (Warning: All of the shorts and clips I've seen have been dark and scary - but, thats the world we live in!) It is easy to see the spiritual parallel here - the destruction of Shalom and we, being a people given the breath of life through the death of someone else, commissioned to go and restore the world.

This is the basis for the new discussion series taking place on Sunday mornings, a series which I am calling "7" rather than "9." Rather than dolls, my sermons will focus on 7 actions, practical practices, that we as the church and as individuals can do (and be) that will bring restoration and Shalom back into our world.

Here is a short outline of the series, they are all to be found in Acts 2:42-47 but we will come at them from other places...

Week 1- Setting the stage: Conversation, Community and Communion: Loving God and Loving People.

Week 2- Radical Hospitality - Opening our arms to the world, as Jesus opened his arms

Week 3 - Passionate Worship - What is worship, when does worship start and end? Passionate worship is rooted in the here and now, is focused on God, reveals our shortcomings, extends forgiveness, and sends us back out (the cycle of worship.)

Week 4 - Intentional Faith Development - Growing up into a people who look and act like Jesus, Three Journies (Up toward God, Inward to our weakness, and outward toward our fellow man) The process of "being saved".

Week 5 - Risk Taking Mission and Service - Not just sitting idlely by as the world destroys itself - but being agents of change for the sake of the King and His Kingdom. Risking it all to the Kingdom cause.

Week 6 - Extravagant Generosity - Sharing our wealth and resources with one another. Plunging God's gifts into service for the sake of the Kingdom. Giving without counting the cost.

Week 7 - Active Rest - Creating space in our lives for God to speak and to act. Living within the margins of our time. Recentering ourselves in God.

I'll be posting the specifics on this weeks message next!

Sermon Text for Pentecost 5/23/10

2010-05-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

This weeks Text: Luke 4:14-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, Psalm 126 (Secondary Text - Acts 2:1-4)

This weeks Theme: The clear mission of Jesus, imparted to every follower of Christ and the power to change the world.

The weeks Title: The Last Temptation of Christ - The Temptation to be normal

Keywords or phrases: Making old things new, beauty for ashes, sow in tears - reap in joy, sent with good news, Joy, renew, make new.

In a nutshell:

This week we will end our series "Into the wilderness," arriving at the culmination of the temptation event in the desert. Jesus returns home to his village in Galilee, go's to Temple and is asked to read the scriptures to the Temple goers. He could have chosen any passage from the book they handed him - the book of Isaiah - but, instead he chooses Isaiah 61, a passage about the long awaited Messiah - the savior of the people.

In reading this text, Jesus clearly communicates his mission on earth, a mission that anyone following Jesus today shares in. He also defeats one last temptation - the temptation to return to life as usual - to live a normal life. Jesus recognizes just who he is and what he is called to do.

As I said, we share in this mission and calling, but we lack the power of God to accomplish it on our own. That is the beauty of the event that we will celebrate this Sunday - Pentecost - the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit into our world to empower Christ Followers to live out "Shalom," peace between God and Man, between man and man, between culture and faith.