We are now in week 9 or 10 utilizing the banners for this year's study.
March 2, 2012
It is somewhat a tough design element; since they have to hung very far up because of the location of the logos on the banners. Plus trying to get creative with the design & placement of the banners.
BUT, it is getting the point across. Soon our people will hopefully know our mission statement is: Love God, love others, serve the world...
We have actually been working with this mission statement for over two years and it is beginning to sink in. Repetition is so important.
Working on some thoughts on how to pull out some of the logo design elements to add to the stage designs. I will let you know how it is going soon.
I don't think I can even begin to explain what is happening in my heart right now. What I think I can explain is that for the last year, I have simply been following a series of “open doors” in my life. The biggest majority has to do with human trafficking.
I have been saying for months; that when you actually see and understand the heinous issue of human trafficking, some of us are eternally changed. Knowing too much, to ever consider stepping back into the oblivion of not knowing.
For us (me) the heart's discontent is too great.
Over the last year; I have been transformed into a modern day abolitionist.
The past Sunday evening, at our churches Core Community, one of our lead pastors Chris Campbell shared that he will be changing courses in his life and following a call from God.
I don’t fully have all the answers yet, but I believe it has to do with the “least of these”.(Matthew 25) One of the greatest pleasures in my life has been to serve in the ranks of CrossCurrent Ministries and have my mind truly opened to the “least of these”. I am blessed to partner with and shepherd a variety of people who are consumed with the mission of rescue and restoration. Their zeal has spread through this local church like a little bit of leaven in a loaf and over time we have become increasingly broken over the “least of these” who are waiting to be rescued and restored by a mighty Savior using simple people to do atypical things. I find myself surrounded by intentional folks who embrace the principles of true religion by caring for the most vulnerable in society (James 1:27). We are all learning how to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly. (Micah 6:8) We are recognizing the urgency of the times we live in and rather than merely join in on socially hip causes, we are learning to lead with the Gospel and give Jesus center stage as we move in His power to love unconditionally (God and people) and serve the world.
Maybe God recognizes that deep inside I wonder what it would be like to trade in my coach’s cap, clip board and whistle and actually get in the game? Maybe he’s recognized my longing glances as I watch the people who I love actively jumping into the some of the most broken places in order to rescue and restore the “least of these.” (from “About Last Night” Chris Campbell)
I was in great turmoil when the announcement was made. Losing such a great shepard in our faith community. But the turmoil that was created wasn't about him leaving (though that is tough). I am starting to figure out that it has to do with the human trafficking part of the equation in my life.
I don't know where this is all leading. I have been feeling like Moses, been reading and re-reading Exodus 3. I do know that I will continue to "put one foot in front of the other" and walk through the open doors.
I use everything that I am able to find to create the stage design each week. I snag tech carts and items from the school (this week I used the conductors platform). These items get covered with cloth and VOILA!
It may seem silly, but I am very excited. There is a large gray metal cart, that I use frequently to lift things up in stage designs. Well this week, the marvelous Emily Firestone made a custom cover (she calls it a tablecloth. LOL) that I just slip onto the cart now. Woot! Woot! I am doing a happy dance!
I look forward to using it...
You can barely even see in the pictures, but we added a dark blue net material to the design. It looks nice and flow-ie...
First, I have to say that I really like our banners.
Nobody asked; BUT if someone HAD asked, I probably would have asked for matte finish on the banners (note the lights that reflect off of the shiny, slick fronts of the banners).
I also would have staggered the designs. One towards to top, one towards the middle and one towards the bottom.
No biggie, it is something that we are able to work with.
That's what it looked like today; now it's about time to go back for Core Community, After which we will strike the stage set and band equipment. We will load it all up again in the trailer, drive it back to the office and in 7 days, we will do it all over again.
Worship Set 1You Are Good
This is our second week with this song. It is so fun and upbeat. Lyrics (Brian Johnson & Jeremy Riddle, BETHEL MUSIC 2011) Freedom is Here
Worship Set 2 Here For You (Matt Redman) Always (Kristian Stanfill)
Message: serve the world...
Worship Set 3 Tear Down the Walls
Two focuses on our “serve the world...” Sunday.
One is our partnership with Windswept Academy. Gearing up for uur third trip to South Dakota
This is what we did last year
Building a fence
Second, today we are partnering with another local church for a collection of food for a backpack buddy program here locally. This is one of the things I love about our people. A couple times a year, we hand out a list on Sunday morning and have people come back later in the day to drop off donations.
It's cool to see how people respond. We are a medium sized church with a big heart to help others.
Our current series is "love God, love others, serve the world" We are trying to brand this purpose statement in people's minds. Last week we were focused on "love God"...
An advantage to being mobile, is that you don't feel locked into a stage design once it is set up. Since the stage has to be struck each and every week, you feel more freedom in tweeking the design.
We want to keep the purpose statement in order, and each week bring to the forefront the portion being discussed.
This week we are focused on "love others"...
So that banner was rasied higher.
And I utilize whatever I am able to find to work with.
For example last week and this week, I used the tech carts to lift the banners higher. I also used the containers that the drums are stored in. LOL. Then I have to furiously take everything down so the techs and band are able to reach their carts.
Well, our worship and tech team were fired up this morning. We spent Saturday night listening to Russell Fragar (of Hillsong fame). This week we had two worship leaders on stage. Each worship leader sort of has a niche. I categorize them into mostly “current”. “retro” and “vintage”. This week is a some current songs & vintage (hymns). We also had our violinist playing.
Worship Set 1 One Thing
Worship Set 2 You Are Good Beauty of the Lord Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Message: “love others...”
Worship Set 3 In Christ Alone
How would you define your worship set lists?
This week for the stage design we obviously wanted to highlight the "love others" banner.
All this and more being posted over at the Sunday Set List @ worshipcommunity.com.
Saturday evening, we were so blessed to have Russell Fragar come and share with our worship(both adult and youth) and tech team. It was such a wonderful evening of food, friends, worship and encouragement.Russell served as Music Pastor for the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia from 1989-2001, back in the days of "Shout to the Lord" and Darlene Zschech. He now lives in Northern Virginia and is personal friends with one of our worship leaders.
He shared a lot of stories and tips, then answered questions.
Just one of his comments: “if you aren’t having a great time in the praise and worship ministry, you’re doing it wrong”.
There were about 30 of us gathered and we were really glad we went out.
Needless to say, those of us who attended woke up at our normal 5:00 a.m. to get ready for worship set up were fired up. It was such fun to be able to serve and it spread to those who hadn't attended.
For those of you who remember...PowerPoint in worship or are just getting started using projected media in worship: we need to remember that there are churches all along the spectrum.
So I have been thinking of in the beginning; of being in transition from hymnals to projections.
Here are just a few great resources for various types of media. Both free and for purchase. If you sign-up for e-mails, some of the paid sites will occasionally send "free" media to use. There is a lot out there that people are willing to share.
We have had amazing results recently with simply asking creators/designers of various videos that are posted on You Tube and Vimeo, if we could use their work in our worship service. They have been very accommodating. Remember to always ask for permission, for it is their work.
