Worship Thoughts

inspired Worship

2011-01-14T00:05:00.003-05:00

I have been struggling lately with being "inspired" to prepare for Sunday's service. Struggling with being "inspired" to worship.

Lots of things haven't exactly gone the way I thought they would; the way I believed God was leading, and honestly I can't say that I'm excited to do this anymore. The passion I once felt to sing songs to God, and play my instrument for Him, has been replaced with apathy. Or worse than apathy, obligation. I wonder sometimes if the calling I heard when I began this is now a far ringing in the distance of a bell that has long since stopped, and I'm only trying to remember the sound, and that's what keeps me going. I wonder if the joy I have experienced in the past has been stolen from me and replaced with a need to "get things done".

I've heard it said when you feel the farthest away from God, it's because you've stepped away; His guidance is still there, it's our perspective that has changed.

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So the same God that called me out of darkness and into His light yesterday, is the same God whose presence I cannot sense today, yet is the same God that promises me a hope for tomorrow.

As I continue to prepare for our worship service this weekend, I hope there are those like Paul, Silas, and Timothy ( 1 Thessalonians 1) who are praying for our Church, and our pastors, and all those serving in it, myself included, because they remember "your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ"

That is the passion that we need today, that I need today; inspired by faith in what He has done for me, prompted by the love that He has for me, and inspired by the hope of what he has yet to complete in me.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

believing the lies...

2010-08-01T15:30:00.001-04:00

"The check is in the mail." "I promise.. I'll call" how about "and now for tomorrows forecast...". seriously if I could be as wrong at my job as most weather forecasters.. or maybe this one "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

We started a new series at church called "Identity Theft". The topic this week had to do with the lies that we're trained to believe. The ones I listed are just kinda little funny jabs at some of the obvious lies that people kid about. But there are other more damaging lies that prevail in our society. how about these.. "You'll never be smart enough." "No one could ever love you." "Look out for yourself first." "This new (whatever) will bring you happiness." oh here's a good one "The church only wants your money."

I just got this really cool new phone (insert shameless plug for the HTC Incredible here) and it can download all these tiny programs called apps. All the free ones, the ones I can afford after buying the phone, are all supported by companies putting little tiny ads somewhere on the screen, touting the next rage in skin care, or singles looking for relationships in my area (not kidding, and that was on a radio app). Thing is if I pay 2 or 3 buck s i can get the "ad free" version of the program. But i wouldn't know what types of things I really needed if I didn't have all this media in my face telling me what is good for me. Oh wait.. that's another one of those lies we're led to believe, that someone else, or some corporate sponsor, or even our government knows what's good for me.

Here's one you won't hear between songs on the radio, or between stories in the magazines "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Or what about this one, I haven't seen this on any tv screen lately "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I guess there isn't enough truth in those last two to gain prime time billing between scenes of American Idol, or Big Brother.

the point was made, and I've seen it myself, that if you're told something long enough, it becomes truth. I got this weird feeling that if we just believe what's pushed in front of us, the truth we end up with, may not be the truth we were promised.

The worship service this weekend was very cool. After the service last week, I had someone come up and inquire about playing drums in the band. He came to rehearsal this last week and while we were practicing with our regular drummer, he sang along. Since we had a drummer for this week, he asked if I wouldn't mind him singing with us. I had heard him sing before and he did a good job so he joined us leading worship this weekend. It's neat when you find people who are willing to contribute in whatever way they can, and they have a desire to do so. We're still looking for more folks, bass players and drummers in particular seem hard to come by, but I think we're generating some interest which is good.

here's the lineup from this past service

Not To Us

The Wonderful Cross

Amazed

By His Wounds/ Nothing but the Blood

Hosanna

"Amazed" was kind of a new song. First time I had led it anyway. It got a really good response. My wife likes the song alot, and from the way it went today it will probably wind up in a regular rotation. Our guest singer did a great job, and we had some fun playing with a few different pieces as we went along. Our bass player always surprises me with added little runs and fills, makes me smile more than normal, thanks Tim.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

I stress a lot when i talk to people about tough situations.."what do you want to see happen here? what is your desired outcome of this conversation? What is your expectation of this encounter? what's the end goal?" for me those are questions i ask myself whenever I go into a difficult encounter. I need to know where i'm going before i can figure out how to get there and the best way to approach the journey.

Our relationship with Christ is the pretty much the same. You gotta ask yourself, "what am i trying to get out of this? do i want fire insurance? am i trying to avoid hell? to punch my ticket for the free ride?"

or.. am i trying to make a difference? do i want my life to change? Do i want the people around me to know the grace i've experienced through the love of Christ? Do i want my kids to see a life changed by the love of God?

The sermon this week was challenging because we were asked to look at those questions about our faith.

worship was a little different this week. I got to play the drums. my first time in a Sunday service. I usually lead and/or play guitar. I had a fun time doing it. I'm not a great drummer by any means, but i think i can keep a beat, and people were clapping along. i missed our regular drummer a LOT (spencer, you are definitely the man, but i'm glad you are relaxing on vaca).

point is, i asked myself at the beginning of the week, "what's my end goal this weekend? what was the desired outcome of me doing this?" and the fact is, i took the little I had to offer, and God added His "lot" and in the end, no on died (that's a milestone at our church), I had a lot of really nice folks comment that I did a good job, but, they're church folks and their supposed to say that (thank you everyone for your kind words), but anyway, it felt good to be able to contribute in a new way. to make a difference. to be a part of a worship service that hopefully showed God's love in a new way, even if there were beats dropped on the floor.

here's the lineup from the past weekend

Your Grace Is Enough

Take My Life

You Are God Alone

Morning Message
Communion

How He Loves
God You Reign

Today Is The Day

I wasn't real happy with "How He Loves". don't get me wrong,it's a great tune, and speaks to people in our congregation, but it was a little lacking this week. I'll take the blame for that since Crowder's drummer is amazing, and clearly i cannot compare. other than that, "You are God Alone" set a really good atmosphere for a new song, and "Today is the Day" was very fun to play.

anyway.. figure out where you're going. ask the tough questions, and answer them in a way that means something to you. are you trying to make a difference or just buying the fire insurance? Today could be your day!. rejoice and be glad!

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

How lucky am I ?

2010-07-10T02:31:00.001-04:00

You know I realize everyday how blessed i am by God. I was lucky enough this week to lead a vacation bible school group at our church. The thing is, whenever i do this, whenever i get involved in the lives of those around me, i see how my life has changed.

I sang this song this last weekend called "This is Our God" and there's this line in the song that says "He will wipe away your tears, and return your wasted years, this is our God.". Every time I sing this song I struggle with that line. I can barely get it out. Most times i choke on the words because It's so true for me. I think about all the things that I have done to distance myself from Him, and all the ways I have tried to hide; and I am broken by the thought that the Creator of the universe wanted to hold me close all along.

The song speaks to more than that though. It talks about God being "a Father to the orphan, A healer to the broken, this is our God".

I was not an orphan in the sense that i had no father and mother; in fact the family i grew up in really made me what I am today, and I am thankful for that. But I have been broken. like many, I've experienced loss. The loss of 3 fathers, the loss of an unborn son, the loss of many ideals that ultimately led me to turning away from God at an early age, and turning to myself for whatever strength I needed. Loss, that in the end, led me directly back to a Father that embraced me in my darkest hours when i had no where else to go.

I see these kids at vacation bible school that don't need anything more than someone to tell them that God loves them, and as importantly, for me to SHOW them that I love them. I am God's hands and feet on this earth, and every one of these children need to see something from me that they may not see somewhere else. For these 5 days, they need to know that whatever is going on in their big world, the Creator of the universe knows who they are and is crazy about them, and that at least for that 3 hour time frame, every night that they are with us, they have His complete attention.

Hopefully my children will never know a day when they don't have the love of a Father, and they will never know the longing for that unconditional acceptance that we all need.

I had a complete blast at VBS this year, just like I do every year. I sweat a lot. I high five a lot. I hug a lot, and i even cry a little bit (ok a lot).

I make these memories of God sightings, through the eyes of these kids, that I will hopefully carry with me all the days of my life.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

Pressing On

2010-05-23T17:43:00.001-04:00

Wow.. it's been a while huh..

I haven't blogged a lot lately.. i've been a little busy. There's been quite a shake up in the worship ministry lately. We've had a few folks step away to do different things; and so, here we are a church that two years ago had a worship ministry (not counting the Kids Own Worship Team that serve of children's church) of about 24, is now at 9. Two praise bands have been "syndicated" into one, and with summer on us, people are in and out.

For those that don't know my personality, I like to have a plan. I like to have two plans. Actually three or four plans are better (can someone say "control issues"). Sometimes in all the planning I get distracted from the goal of the worship ministry and get overly concerned with the "hows" instead of the "whys". Over the past month some people have had to make some pretty difficult decisions, decisions that seem like the right thing for everyone involved at that point in time. Some hurt more than others, but I truely believe those decisions were made after lots of prayer and seeking the best given the information we have.

Which brings me to my point (everyone say "finally, a point!"). God is moving at Legacy.Who knows exactly what's going on, or where we're going, but there are a lot of new faces as I look into the congregation. There are some familiar faces missing as well. What does it mean? Is it bad? Is it good? Should we sound the alarms and pull the shades? Nah.. It looks to me like there are opportunities being opened, and new people are being lead to fill some important roles. That's pretty cool; if those folks answer with the passion God has put in their hearts. Philippians 3:12-14 says we should continue to press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called us to. To me, pressing on means I answer the call God has placed on me because I know that He has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11). It means that even though the end isn't clear and things don't seem like they are ever going to be right, I put my trust in a God that has a plan, and try to walk it out the best I can.

here's the set list for this week

May 23, 2010 (9am and 11am services)

Bless His Name

Hosanna

The Wonderful Cross

message

communion

By His Wounds/ Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Revelation Song (11 am only)

Good service for this weekend; the band and vocalists did a great job with 1 day of practice. There were some rocky points at rehearsal, but one of our vocalists reminded me that Sunday is always at least 50% better than rehearsal. Sunday was about 100% better than rehearsal, and a lot of that was a change of attitude on my part. It's funny how when your heart changes a little bit, your perspective can change a lot.

Anyway, we still have opportunities on the praise band. Specifically we could use drummers and bass players, but if we are going to lead our congregation with the team we have, then we have about the best group of folks you could want. I know there are people out there, with a heart for this ministry, that are being called to serve this church, and I can't wait to see who God is leading into our team.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

Paid In Full

2010-03-29T22:28:00.008-04:00

The sermon title from this last week was "Words from the Cross". As we prepare for Easter, that event becomes more tangible to us, or it should, as we reflect on the life given (Christ) for the life saved (ours). The seven words from the cross that took focus in the sermon were Forgiveness, Promise, Care, Loneliness, Suffering, Victory, and Trust.

The point that stuck with me the most was Victory. John 19:30 records Jesus, with His last breath, said "It Is finished". That's the Victory of the cross. Our pastor described that the original Greek word that was translated here is 'tetelestai' (te-tell-es-tie), which was most often used in business dealings to describe a debt that is paid in full. That paid in full debt is the point of the cross. If there was no debt to be paid, then there would have been no reason for the sacrifice God had planned, and every time I try and earn God's grace, or think someone else needs to try a little harder, I need to remember that the sacrifice of Christ has paid the debt in full; for me and for them; for everyone who wants it.

Here's the lineup from the past weekend.

March 28th, 2010

My Saviors Love

Jesus Messiah

Worthy is the Lamb

message

communion

Jesus Paid it All

We Cry Out

You Never Let go

My oldest daughter had a soccer tournament this past weekend so we went to the 9 o'clock service. We got there a little late so I missed the first song altogether. Troy has started singing more and is doing a really good job. 'We Cry Out' was great, there's something about speaking God's name as "El Shaddai", and "Adonai" that move me.. odd huh? Yeah, I don't get it either..

I'm also thinking from now on we just use one acoustic guitar, no drums, 8 singers, and only sing Hymns.............................................

Ok.. I'm done with that thought..............

Stop by and visit with us Easter Sunday, it's your gift too....

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

Church Exposed

2010-02-23T07:49:00.000-05:00

So I got to find out again this week that feeling distant from God is normal. That's right normal. I struggled with a few things that I really felt like God was letting me down on. Promises that He had made me, He was turning back on and making me figure out for myself.

A new sermon series started at Legacy this weekend called "Church Exposed:Where's God in My World". As it turned out to be very timely for me. What I've come to realize (ok, I think I actually knew this before, but maybe I "forgot" for a minute), was that God didn't turn His back on me, I actually had turned away from Him. Not in a sense that I was filling my life with sin, but that I was not allowing Him to be God. I was being God for Him (oops, I guess that is a sin). Trying to take charge of the things I really have no business being in charge of, or the means to control. So as soon as I realize I can't control those things, I lash out at God, or actually whoever is closest, and want them to fix it for me. I was allowing my feelings to control me, which is not always the best way to make decisions.

So I have this renewed perspective on my role. It goes something like this. I have to let Him do what He does best, and not worry about the things I can't control. Even more so, when I get in those situations where I feel a million miles away, I need to press on, with faith knowing that God hasn't left me, that he may have removed His hand a bit to see if I could ride the bike without the training wheels, but also knowing He's right there to grab ahold if I don't try and pedal too fast and too far in front of him.

I led worship this weekend, here's the lineup

February 21, 2010

Not To Us (Chris Tomlin)

Who is This King (Pocket Full of Rocks)

Enough (Chris Tomlin)

(message)

(communion)

Holy and Anointed One/Jesus Draw Me Close (Any Given Day)

God Of Wonders (Caedmon's Call)

How Great Though Art (Hymn)

Very good worship set this weekend. The mix was really good, and after a rough week of practice, everything seemed to work well together. We introduced a lot of changes during rehearsal. Well "I" introduced a lot of changes at rehearsal (new effects rig, new in ear monitors, new loop from the computer, and rehearsing with a new guitar player that will be joining the team soon, but not in the mix on Sunday yet).

Even with all the new stuff going on, I felt the worship was Spirit filled. There are songs that seem to speak to people every time they are sung, we had a few of them this week. Who is This King, God of Wonders, and How Great Though Art are a few of those.

One glitch though, we were using a loop out of my macbook for Not To Us. In the first service it worked fine, however between services I was speaking the praise of apple and how all this technology stuff just fits together, showing off all the ins and outs, starting different apps for the crowd that had gathered around the little silver box. Well sure enough, we go to kick the same loop for the second service and all I get is glitchy, bleep bleep, kccch, kccch,.. yeah.. it just works (sarcasm). The sound guy says after the service "let me know the next time you want to do an Apple commercial, (HA!)." Again.. God is in control, and he may move away just for a second to see how I react, but the service went on, and He was praised, even without the loop.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

Everybody's a critic

2010-02-15T20:50:00.014-05:00

That was absolutely horrible (english accent implied)! The sermon series on dealing with difficult people ended this weekend with a look at critical people. There was a focus on how to give and receive criticism. I've always wondered why people think that guy in the picture is such a jerk, when really, he's probably the only person that will be honest with almost anyone that stands in front of him (almost you ask? anyone remember american idol's bikini girl?) He probably doesn't deliver the critique the way we expect him to, wouldn't want to hurt any feelings would we.

But there are ways to deliver criticism without tearing people down, without humiliating someone. Just like there are ways to accept the critique without being overly sensitive to it. I also know that I value someone's critique more, and take it less personal, if I think the person giving it knows what they're talking about. Seems like most of the time those who want to share their critique just don't have a clue and are really sharing their opinion, and trying to attach some meaning to it (other than it's their opinion, and everybody's got one). Those are the ones that are hard to deal with, because for the most part you'll never please 'em. You just know that no matter what you do they won't be happy and you'll continue to get their "help".

Troy and Jason's team led worship this past weekend, here's the lineup.

February 14th, 2010

Let it Rise (Big Daddy Weave)
Jesus I am Resting (Matthew Smith)
Surrender (Vineyard)
Exalt The Lord (Any Given Day - O.C.Supertones)

(message)

(communion)
Above All (Michael W Smith)
Take My Life (Holiness) (Vineyard)
You, You are God (Christ for the Nations)

Pretty good set this weekend. It was a little hard for me to settle in though. The second song was new and I had a hard time following along, then the transition from that song to a really well known song (Surrender) seemed to clunk around a little bit before it fell into place. The last song before the message is one that goes back a bit. The guys from the OC Supertones do a great version of that song that I love to listen to (the worship team didn't do a bad version of it either). And finally a week without a Chris Tomlin song.. I'm sure I'll bring one back this next weekend.

I just want to give some props to our drummer on that team. The guy can play about a bu'jillion notes on his hi-hat and stay in time. Normally I am not a fan of playing a bunch of notes just 'cause you can, but for the last song in the second set, riding that hi-hat like he does just creates this manic sense of anticipation.. what else could be coming is beyond me, but he pulls it off, nice work spence'.

This is also going to be my first week sharing with the Sunday Setlist @ The Worship Community; I've been stalking over there for a while now, thought I'd try and participate.

visit Legacy Christian Church on the web

hyp⋅o⋅crite - [hip-uh-krit]

2010-02-08T22:46:00.006-05:00

one who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not; a dissembler in religion.

It's a word I'm sure many have been called, but does it really apply the way we use it. Jesus hated hypocrites.. He hated those that "acted" like they were perfect and "acted" like they had no sin. In Matthew He calls them out for putting on a show with their words, their ceremonial actions, their additions to the law, even with their tithes; but forgetting the big things like justice, mercy, and faith. The "Difficult People" series continued this week with a look at what might be one of the biggest hindrances of the church.

In order to understand it though we need to all be on the same playing field. People that have hangups with religion like to say the church is full of hypocrites when what they may actually be seeing is a church full of broken people in the process of being transformed to the image of Christ. There are hypocrites in the modern church, just as there were in Jesus' day, and they seem to get the most attention in the public eye; but a lot of times people mistake a work in progress with hypocrisy. True hypocrisy can ruin a church, while a transformed life is probably the biggest building block the church has.

Here is the worship service lineup from this past weekend.

February 7th, 2010

Beautiful One (By the Tree)
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Sonicflood)
Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone (Chris Tomlin)
(message)
(communion)
The Heart of Worship (Matt Redman)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Your Grace is Enough (Chris Tomlin)

Well again half the lineup were Chris Tomlin songs.. I am really going to start watching this more closely.

I led worship this past weekend, and I thought the service went well. There was a real sense of easiness. Not that the songs were easy, just that the congregation was at ease. There were some technical difficulties with changes between songs in the second set that didn't feel right, but we're working on it, trying to come up with creative ways to get from point A to point B as gracefully as possible with the tools that we have. It's hard sometimes to put the stuff together seamlessly, and some songs "stitch" better than others.

It also seemed that restoration was the defining theme in the service, during worship and during the message. God's love really is about that isn't it? Restoration. Taking broken vessels and making them whole again. Taking what may seem a mess to most, and cleaning it up. I'm glad He still thinks I'm worth the effort, that He still has a use for me; and like our pastor says "that he accepts me as I am, but loves me too much to leave me that way."

Homey don't play that!

2010-02-01T23:32:00.002-05:00

That's what he said.. I was sitting right there in the back of the worship center and our pastor, who reminds me more of Eeyore than Damon Wayans says "Homey don't play that!". I wanted to see him swing a sock full of tennis balls and whack somebody in the head (those of you that remember the skits from In Living Color will appreciate that, every one else needs to follow this link and complete the picture, but be warned, this is late night television, don't expect a G rating).. luckily I was not sharing the platform with him, otherwise I'm sure I would have been at the top of the list of candidates to whack, maybe even more so now.

The sermon series on difficult people continued this week with a look at manipulation. It made me take a look at the methods I use to accomplish the things I need to get done. The comparisons were made between what is leadership and what is manipulation, and most of it has to do with motives. Selfish motivations lead to manipulation. Parents often use manipulation when raising their children. For example "If you don't clean your room, you're not going out." That's pretty normal, and a generally acceptable way of getting children to understand consequences. But as adults, manipulation doesn't work very well. There's a scene in one of my favorite movies where the main character explains to "the Bobs" that "my only real motivation is not to be hassled, that and the fear of losing my job. But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired."(rent Office Space). Manipulation will only get you so far.

As far as the worship service this weekend, well there were 5 Sundays in January, so the normal rotation is out the window. What I did get was a look an old friend sharing some new leadership skills. It was refreshing and I was glad to see it.

January 30th, 2010
Open The Eyes Of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
Your Grace Is Enough (Chris Tomlin)
Here I am To Worship (Tim Hughes)
(message)
(communion)
Come and Listen (David Crowder Band)
Give Us Clean Hands (Chris Tomlin)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)

(wow, I never really thought about how many Chris Tomlin songs, or at least songs he's made popular, we actually have in rotation)

Come and Listen was my favorite. That's two weeks in a row where the song during communion has really been timely. For me, I forget sometimes what God is doing in my life, where He is calling me, why He has me where He does. I forget to look for what He is doing in those around me. How he is using them. I got a good example of that during the Upward basketball games this weekend, and another on Sunday morning during worship. God continues to use some pretty common folks to touch the hearts of those He loves and wants to draw near to Him...

"Let me tell what He has done for me, He has done for you, He has done for us. Come and listen." - David Crowder Band, Come and Listen

Get Over It

2010-01-26T00:16:00.001-05:00

How many times have you wanted to say that? Get Over It! The sermon this week was about needy people. You know the type.. the world's against them, everything is always someone else's fault or they're the only one that's ever gone through what they're going through. I have a good friend at work that when I start giving him a bunch of grief or start dragging on about something.. he just looks at me and says "You wear me out." Our pastor used the term "emotional vampire".. yeah, I think that covers it.

As a Christian I'm supposed to care about people and help out those in need, but what do you do about people that don't really want help? Or what about the people that don't want help that really helps?

Jesus asked a man at the healing pools of Bethesda if he wanted to be well.. the man had been ill for thirty eight years, and Jesus asks if he wants to be healed.. I say "well duh!!!". but the guy at the pool.. he says (my paraphrase) "No one will help me into the pools, and if I do go down to the pools, someone jumps in front me!" Jesus heals the man, as simply as saying "pick up your mat and walk". Now you might be thinking, that Jesus, he knows all the cool tricks.. but there's more.. later Jesus sees the same guy at the temple and says "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

I'm not saying that every bad situation that comes into our lives is because of some sin we've committed, it just ain't so. We're affected by things outside our control every day. But there are lots of folks out there that continue to put themselves in situations by their actions (or lack of actions) that have negative consequences on their lives, but fail to see it, or at least admit it. No amount of help is going to benefit someone in that situation. Goes back to the whole you reap what you sow idea in Galatians.

Anyway... Get Over IT!

here's the lineup from this past weekend. Again, it was my week off the platform, so this is purely from a view from the congregation.

January 24th, 2010

Unchanging (Chris Tomlin)

Holy (Brenton Brown)

I Need a Savior (Among the Thirsty)

I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin)

(message)

(communion)

We are Here to Worship You (Instrumental)
My Savior Lives (Ross Parsley)

The song that really made had an impact on me this weekend was the instrumental during communion. The song "We are Here to Worship You" (I think that's the title, unfortunately I can't find it anywhere, maybe a sign of it's popularity, even in Christian circles). This was one of the songs that was around when I first started on this walk with God, and like most songs do, brings back a lot of memories and good thoughts of those days. Funny how music works like that. Beyond just that, I sort of got a sense of how the older hymns evoke the same reaction for many people. They are the songs that people grew up in Christ with, and they are important part of our past and create a link to that past. Thing is, sometimes we get set in our ways and want to hear them just from an organ or a choir, and any other way is just wrong and shouldn't be allowed. to that I say "get over it" .

Keep your head attached

2010-01-17T18:14:00.008-05:00

The mental picture of the day from our sermon is hearing our pastor say "when someone's got you in a headlock and is pulling you around by it, you tend to follow since most people like to keep their head attached."

It amazes me how even without comparing notes, more often the not, the worship and message cross paths somewhere. Today it was on the term "consumer church". It's what happens when people show up on Sunday morning expecting only to be served and/or entertained. They come unprepared for an encounter with God. Sometimes this can lead to uninspired worship, or a great message falling on deaf ears. It also leads to a church that can become so self centered (which happens when we are only being served and not actively participating) that they forget about the reason why they came to church in the first place, Christ. The Bible describes Jesus as the head of the church, and the church as the body. So, the body should be following the head if God has us in this spiritual headlock (more mental pictures), but it's not the like the head can drag a lifeless limp body around without the contributing arms and legs.

Our pastor also shared his vision for our church. Simply stated the church's vision is to "Love God, Love Others, and Serve the World". This should be posted on the church's website somewhere, I thought it was, but can't find it anymore. He also shared that if the church is healthy and alive, we should be planting new churches. We all ask "how, when, who, where" about this new church, all he says is "I dunno". But again, if the body is following the head, we all oughta get where He wants us sooner or later right.

Here was the lineup from this weekend

January 17, 2010
Bless His Name
It Is Well
I'll Fly Away
(message)
(communion)
All Who are Thirsty
As it is in Heaven
Love Never Fails

All in all , in my opinion, everything went real well. There was a bit of technical snafu with the monitor mix of the keys (which were actually being played by the bass players toes), but apparently it wasn't that noticeable in the congregation. I got a good sense of commitment from the congregation this morning from both services. I tried a new delay patch on "Bless His Name" that I was pretty happy with, the line6 DL4 can make some interesting sounds. I managed not to mess up too many chords, and sang most the words without issue. The band did a great job of keeping it together as the arrangements changed on the fly. The vocalists were down one, but sometimes less is more (we definitely missed you Jackie). They sounded great. Keep up the hard work guys/gals, I really appreciate it.

If you're reading this and wondering how you can use the gifts God gave you to keep your local church body healthy, here is a list of a few of the ministry opportunities we have at Legacy Christian in Harrison, Ohio. If you attend somewhere else, I bet your church has similar opportunities. If you aren't part of a church anywhere, and maybe looking to start a relationship or reconnect with God, why not check out a local church somewhere this next weekend, heck, stop by Legacy and say hi if you're in the area.

Most importantly, remember, Keep your head attached!

-Ken

I went to church and a bar fight broke out

2010-01-10T18:33:00.004-05:00

ok, well not really. see our pastor tried to explain about an abrasion he had on his face, but by the end of the service all we knew was this : He and his lovely wife went to a bar for a few drinks, got into a fight while they were there, and she put a beat down on him.

Like most things that we hear about or make assumptions on, that's not really what happened. In fact the only piece of truth to this was our pastor did have an abrasion on his face.

The message today talked about how as a church family we all have different gifts and different abilities that we have to offer and until we are using those gifts and talents in the way God has intended to build up His body (the church), we aren't really experiencing the family life we were created for.

I didn't lead worship this weekend, but here is the set list from today.

January 10, 2010

Blessed Be Your Name
Your Love is Deep
I Need a Savior
(message)
(communion)
Breath of Grace
God You Reign
How Can I Keep from Singing

personal thoughts: I really like the way the team does God You Reign. I also think Jason does a great job of sharing his heart during worship. I did notice that some in the congregation thought the service was over after God You Reign, then Troy broke in to the riff to start the next song. The sound seemed a little "light" this morning, there wasn't a lot of oomph! behind it, but it also seemed like there were a few more bodies in the building so that can sometimes absorb more of than sound than you expect. All in all there were few distractions in my opinion.

Jason shared a verse during worship today that always speaks to me, and I think the reason is I know who I was before I started on this journey, and I have a good sense of who I would have been without God in my life.

Romans 5:6-8

⁶You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no mistaking or mishearing that message. It is as clear today as it was when Paul first wrote it, and that is the beauty of being in this family. God showed His love for me, that while I was still ignorant of His love, or still unaware of the passion he had for me, and while I was still living my own life my own way, He sent Christ to die for me, and through that act, brought me into His family.

-ken

First Post

2010-01-06T23:28:00.003-05:00

So it's a new year and we announced the worship teams commitment to our congregation last week. It's a little unnerving since now we have a couple hundred people that we expect to hold us accountable.

so anyway.. I thought why not start this blogging thing and see if it takes. Everybody's doing it right.. I mean what's the worst thing that could happen? It's free.. It's cyberspace, really.. it's not taking up any room on my computer anywhere..

So if I spend a little time each week updating this with my impressions of how the service went, how the sermon was, how many times I missed a chord or choked a line, will I keep up with it.. will anyone read it..

I thought I would start by posting our lineup for the upcoming week. For those of you familiar with Legacy Christian Church in Harrison, You'll already know this, but those who might not be, I'll explain.

See there are quite a few talented folks with a heart for God that share leading responsibility for our church. So what I plan on doing is inviting each of those team leaders to share their thoughts and ideas here and to post their lineups as well.. then you.. if there is a you.. can check here and see if you like the lineups that are coming up.. and if not, you can search the blog world for a lineup at another church that you may like better... now I may later decide to not post the worship lineups in advance if attendance declines.. but for now i will post our team's lineup for the next time we are on the platform..

January 17th (both services)

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(edited 1/8 to remove song names)

I may get better at all this with different formatting and pretty stuff.. I may give up totally and just delete the whole thing.. so comment if you feel motivated.. lurk if you feel sneaky.. tell me what you like and don't (I'll pretend to care, then pretend it doesn't bother me).

anyway.. here we go!

Worship Thoughts

inspired Worship

believing the lies...

You Are Here

How lucky am I ?

Pressing On

Paid In Full

Church Exposed

Everybody's a critic

hyp⋅o⋅crite - [hip-uh-krit]

Homey don't play that!

Get Over It

Keep your head attached

I went to church and a bar fight broke out

First Post