Thursday, January 29, 2009

creative fuZion lab //5//







Welcome to "fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creative’s could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
Sadly, it went away. Yet the creative minds keep blogging.
Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the fuZion lab on Thursdays.
So here’s what you do…
1. Each Thursday YOU post on your blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.
2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.
3. Then link your particular post at the Mr. Linky below. (I'm working on the Mr. Linky's)

4. Then in the comments share your name, a brief description of the element and most importantly the link to your blog post where you share your details (and pictures. I love pictures). If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. Visit other people’s ideas, comment and share.
6. Ready to begin? Here we go.
Let the creative fuzion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)
________________________________________________________





CrossCurrent Ministries - 2008 Creative Art from CrossCurrent Ministries on Vimeo
I was very excited to see this video which highlighted various elements that we have created this year at XC.
What was really cool for me, I spend most of my time behind the scenes (literally) to execute these elements and it was the first time I got to "see" how the elements looked. Wow!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

digital fasting...

I'm intentionally fasting from my digital objects this week...

I need to spend more time focusing on being with God this week.
I will post (a scheduled) creative fuZion on designing for Philistines on Thursday.
I will be back...

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Postcards from Eternity (week 4)















This week wrapped up our series. Postcards from Eternity. It was an emotionally charged day.
All four weeks we have had a running drama (sort of a cliff hanger). People literally have been making sure they here each week, just to see if Robert would ever read his postcard.
Today he did.
We have an amazing writers group and this drama was written by Jenn Wadell. I must say this piece was so annointed. She made each situation that confronted the churches in Revelation relate so well to everyday situations we live.
This shot is from our pre-service.

Worship Set 1
Be Glorified
Mighty To Save

Welcome & Greet- we just hired a new pastor on staff. Chris Campbell did our W & G.

Focus on Small Groups - Creative Team (Yippee!)
I will be sharing the video we created that highlighted several of the creative elements we produced this year this Thursday at creative fuZion. It was really cool for me to see, since I spent most of my time behind the scenes (literally) to execute these elements and it was the first time I got to "see" what each element looked. Wow!

Worship Set 2
I Refuse to Be Denied
Breathe (back into I Refuse to Be Denied)

DRAMA - Postcards from Eternity: (Script) Part 7

Message: Postcards from Eternity
Laodicea: (Throne)

Worship Set 3
Overcome
Today we challenged the lukewarm.
I forgot to mention that this last week was our 4th anniversary as a church!
Check out what other worship leaders sang this week at Sunday Set List blog carnival
@ Fred McKinnon's blog.

Friday, January 23, 2009

attention to detail...

O.k., there are six students.

Six white shirts and six black shirts. There are two basketballs and they are passing them back and forth. Your task is to counts the number of times the basketball is passed, in one minute-between the white shirted students only. Number of passes, they are going to be moving around, so it's a little complex. Turns out there is a gender difference on attention to this type of detail with a lot of action going on.

So click and count the passes...


O.k., now you've seen it.

We are getting ready to have our fuZe (creative) team retreat in a week or so. This is just the leadership team and we will be training and building the team. We will be focusing some on personalities types and how personality impacts working with others. Should be interesting.

Now, I am an otter...so I suggested we could use beanie babies for our training to our retriever/lion trainer. She really liked the idea. It should be interesting.

Hopefully this will get people's attention. Since sometimes, because of our personality types we develop attention blindness when we are dealing with others and their personality types.





so the only way to force this line dwon is to fake text. ugh Do you know which animal represents your personality type?

Honestly, did you see the gorilla the first time around?

Thursday, January 22, 2009

are you just getting in?

I am finding the "new" idea of volunteerism to be really interesting. Let’s all rally around this unusual concept. So new, so fresh, so “yes, we can”.

What about 1,000 points of light?

What about the Bible?

So are "you (just getting) in"? I'm excited.

Or have you already been in for a long time?

I think that there should be two tallies. I can imagine which would be a higher tally.

So, "I'm in"? You bet I am and but I have been for many, many years.

Not because of Obama, but because of JC. But, I have to admit Obama seems to have better marketing and I find that a little sad.

creative fuZion lab //4// postcards from eternity...



Welcome to "fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creative’s could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
Sadly, it went away. Yet the creative minds keep blogging.
Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the fuZion lab on Thursdays.
So here’s what you do…
1. Each Thursday YOU post on your blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.
2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.
3. Then link your particular post at the Mr. Linky here. (I'm working on the Mr. Linky's)

4. Then hop back to comments share your name, a brief description of the element.
If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. Visit other people’s ideas, comment and share.
6. Ready to begin? Here we go.
Let the creative fuzion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)
________________________________________________________
Postcards from Eternity (week 1 and 2)

This is a four week series teaching through the letters to seven churches in Revelation. Seven mini-sermons, seven mini-dramas, seven stage sets, seven lamp stands.

The mini-dramas revolve around various members of a family, each receiving a postcard from the patriarch of the family, who recently died. He is giving counsel on various issues in each person’s life. Each scene in the drama corresponds with the message given to each church in Revelation.
It is really cool, because the congregation is really getting caught up in the mini-dramas.
Making comments like:
“Robert is a jerk”
“Is he ever going to read his postcard?”

The playing out of the scenes and related props and detail may seem confusing, but if you take the time to click through to the details linked below, it will help.
The messages related how the various letters to the churches in Revelation reveals Christ's identity to us now.
WEEK ONE: Postcards from Eternity…
Ephesus and Smyrna
The Drama-Postcards from Eternity (script): (see details of how week 1 all relates together)
Drama & Mini-Message 1: Postcards from Eternity
Ephesus: (Park w/ tree): representation prop was an apple (the goodness of being able to eat from the tree of life). Ephesus is counseled to find their passion again. So were we.
Drama & Mini-Message 2: Postcards from Eternity
Smyrna: (Firehouse): representation prop is fire. Illusionist’s flash paper and/or fire extinguisher. We are promised we will not be hurt (we will be protected) at all by the second death.
WEEK TWO: Postcards from Eternity…
Pergamum and Thyatira(details of how week 2 all relates together)
Drama & Mini Message 3: Pergamum:
In front of White Stone Bakery.
In the drama the character is counseled to turn away from the wrong crowd. Don’t succumb to their way of thinking. Turn to the One who made her.
We included an experiential element: baking bread in bread machines during the worship service.
Prop: Is the baking bread and we handed out cinnamon bread during the message for everyone to eat! Man, that was a hit...
Drama & Mini- Message 4: Thyatira:
On the steps of a courthouse
Prop: scepter/gavel
In the drama the character is told to be wise in whom he seeks for counsel, know who you’re talking to. Do not tolerate anything false in your life. Know the truth so you are not misled. This was a really big undertaking for us in several aspects.
We changed from our standard of building a set to projecting the scene on the screen. We had actually started out planning on using a standard flat set with ginormous printed pictures attached, but due to outrageous costs, we had to change our plans at the last minute-and we LOVED it even more than the original idea. It was sooo God!

Which changed up the location of the band (something that we have wanted to do anyway).
Here's to continuing to add experiential elements (engaging all the senses in the worship experience).
What is your biggest 'last minute" innovation?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

surrender me...

You will be hearing from this lady...

April (Finlaysen) Eads
She is amazingly gifted!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Post from Eternity (wk 3)





Worship Set 1
Here is Our King
Sing to the King

Scripture reading (portions of Revelation 2 & 3, the promises)

Welcome & Greet

Worship Set 2
Indescribable
The Stand

Drama - Postcards from Eternity continues (scene 5)






<--you really need to click and read this. lol.




(visual backdrop projected on the screen to the drama)

Message 1

Worship Set 3 (moment of reflection)
I Refuse To Be Denied

Drama - Postcards from Eternity (script) continues (scene 6)















(visual backdrop projected on the screen to the drama)

Worship Set 4
I Refuse To Be Denied

I hadn't heard I Refuse To Be Denied (Desperation Band) before this weekend. Absolutely perfect for this moment in time.
I wanted to take a moment to thank all you wonderful worship leaders that share here.
I know that you, like our worship leaders at XC, spend so much time in prayer over these worship sets that are offered up each week. I appreciated each and everyone of you for your dedication to serving God week in and week out. And I know that God appreciates it also...
May the skeptic be enticed, the lukewarm made passionate and the passionate feel inspired by your offerings each week.
Want more? This is just a sample of what is happening across the world in worship today. Check more out a Fred McKinnon's Sunday Set List blog carnival. Meet some incredible leaders of worship.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

creative fuZion //3// simply packaged…









Welcome to "fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creative’s could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
Sadly, it went away. Yet the creative minds keep blogging.

Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the fuZion lab on Thursdays. So here’s what you do…

1. Each Thursday YOU post a blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.
2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.
3. Then link your particular post on Mr. Linky here.
4. Share your name, a brief description of the element and most importantly the link to your blog post where you share your details (and pictures. I love pictures).
If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. Visit other people’s ideas, comment and share.
6. Ready to begin? Here we go.

Let the creative fuzion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)
________________________________________________________


(click to see pictures)

simply packaged…

One of things I love to do is encourage others to branch out with experiential worship elements.
There are simply things that everyone can do.
This week I thought I’d challenge you to try adding baking bread during worship.
We have done it three times this past year. Twice it was simply white bread and we had people come up after church to have some to eat. This week it was cinnamon bread and we handed bread out during the message for everyone to eat. That was a big hit!
Here is a detailed explanation of how we pulled this element off.

DETAILS:

WHAT YOU NEED:
All you need is a bread machine or two.
Bread Mix
Volunteer

ROLL OUT:
We sent out an e-mail to various people to ask if they had a bread machine we could borrow. (I now have 4 people on my list to tap for future bakings). We used two machines this week and it worked well for a 400 seat venue.

Machines: Get the machines ahead of time. I found it critical to test each machine, to find out how long it took and where each machine “beeps” in the cycles and to see if they actually worked. It wouldn’t do to have the machine beeping during a cycle during prayer or the sermon etc. I wrote down the timing.
This was important, especially after discovering one of the machines (the Breadman) made a lot of noise when it was kneading. And it beeped a lot in the beginning cycles.
The timing of the entire process varied (from 80 minutes (Oster machine) to two hours (Breadman machine).

The commonality we found was: the last rising and baking for each machine was 1 hour. This meant there wasn’t any noise going on during that last hour. That is how we determined the timing.

We babysat each machine and unplugged it when it was down to one minute on the timer. That way it didn’t beep at the end.

We carried the machine with potholders out into the hallway to get the loaves out of the machines.

Bread Mixes:
We used Hodgson Mills White Bread Mix (under three dollars a box). It was simple to use, it included the yeast and we only had to add warm water and oil.
Get enough bread mixes to test each machine, to have one available for the pastor to use as a prop, and enough to feed people if you plan on using it for communion, etc. it’s probably good to share it at the end, since I guarantee that people WILL be hungry after smelling bread throughout the worship service.

TO TAKE:
This is what I had to bring with me to church to implement the element at church.
Oil
Measuring cup
Scissors
Big thermos with hot water for bread
Potholders to carry machines and bread
Cloth napkins to wrap bread in
Baskets to put bread in
Paper towels
Various wood, rubber and plastic utensils to loosen bread, etc.
Cinnamon and Sugar mixture

INTEGRATE:
The key is to have it actually relate to the message or theme of the worship that day. But, that is relatively easy to do. This week we were emphasizing the letter to the church at Pergamum in Revelation. Our pastor linked it to provision (manna) and hospitality (lacking in Pergamum).
The previous time, the bread element was linked to the Temple in the Old Testament. The various staging areas in the temple.

If you need help linking the idea to your services, feel free to contact me. I’d love to help you out!

Waiting to figure out how to add popcorn smell one day. Let’s see I need small microwaves…
Seriously.

Tell me, do you like this idea of sharing packaged elements? Do you think this is useful?

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

guitar hero…

Been thinking about this element again...
Haven’t figured out where to utilize this idea yet. Most likely during a ‘be real’ series.



But, I what I envision is:
On the screen playing this youtube version of “Cliffs of Dover” (GH3 PS2) Expert 100%. It’s hot and not a bot!...
With one of our worship leaders pretending to play, he will play it ‘well’.
Then have our pastor, try to play, but obviously NOT.
People of all ages are playing Guitar Hero. It will connect.
Maybe pick up on 'Hero', whose your hero, are you a hero...
Maybe something like Jesus at the well (where He hung out).
Or something like giving your best to God.
Just thinking out loud...

originally posted May 2008

upside down txt...

...ʇou ǝqʎɐɯ .ʞ.o
¿sɔıɥdɐɹb dıɥsɹoʍ ǝɥʇ uo spɹoʍ ǝɥʇ dı1ɟ oʇ ʎuunɟ ǝq ʇı ʇ,up1noʍ
¿ʞuıɥʇ noʎ op ʇɐɥʍ
.sbuıɥʇ 1ɐnsnun puɐ ǝbuɐɹʇs ǝʌo1 puɐ ʞɹop ɐ ɯɐ ı '.ʞ.o

ʇxʇ uʍop ǝpısdn dı1ɟ

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Saturday in the life of (vicar of vibe)….

Well, Saturday is our set up day at Eagle Ridge Middle School.
Here is how my day went…

Packed up my laptop, camera, pPod bag, projection system and purse. Got to church at 8:15 this morning.

Someone handed me a bread machine. YIPPEE! Thank you Jan.
I was supposed to have two of them dropped off at the church on Tuesday. Didn’t happen. YIPES!
The person that was going to bring the second one today, blood pressure shot up really high and her doctor told her NOT to do anything today. MERCY! Pray for Martha.
Someone volunteers that they have a bread machine (from the worship team). YIPPEE! Thank you Trish. She will bring hers AND go get the one from the lady who isn’t feeling well. Oh, she runs the Media Shout.

I may have to back up the media team tomorrow. YIPES! I’ve never used Media Shout.

Someone hands me 6 bread mixes. YIPPEE! Was supposed to bring them Tuesday so I could make the practice loaf and prepared prop loaf. YIPES! Thank you Greg and Mel.

Someone came in and handed me, I don’t know, about 12 loaves of cinnamon raisin bread. YIPPEE! Thank you dear pregnant Melissa.
Tuesday our pastor decided he wanted to be able to pass out pieces of bread to people during the message. Great idea, just not on Tuesday. YIPES!
Cinnamon bread in hand. O.k., what are we going to pass that in. Hadn’t thought about that. YIPES! Got to go shopping after set up then. Oh, and who is going to serve it? YIPES! Let the pastor worry about that tomorrow, I’m baking bread.

Someone asked if I brought the table. Noooo…
We had discussed using a bistro table and chairs for the bakery drama during our fuZe team meeting on Tuesday. I mentioned I knew someone who had one. I didn’t commit to it (no way), not the way my week was going).
Well, so they ask if it is possible to get one today…
YIPES!
Thinking….
Let’s see there is a Starbucks close by and I just happened to train (Starbucks training) the manager there. So, I leave church go to Starbucks. Starbucks store often borrow things from each other. When I get there, I tell Stephanie she could never guess in a million years what I want to borrow. She replies I can’t have any white mocha. Lol. So, I get on my knees to beg Stephanie if she would “lend” me one of the Starbucks outside tables and a chair. I promised to have it back by 1:00 pm tomorrow.
She laughed and said I was right, she NEVER would have guessed I wanted to borrow a table.
Thankfully, she said yes and I loaded it up in my Escape and took it back to the church. Thank you Stephanie.

While I was traveling, I connected with one of my pPod members to check and see if she had bought the gravel we needed as a prop. She hadn’t yet, so we discussed all the possibilities of getting a gavel looking prop that didn’t cost a lot of money.
I had already made a couple of shopping trips with no luck yet. I was grateful when she volunteered to shop for me. She said she would find something (even if it was a squeaky toy hammer dog toy) and that she would be at church at 8:00 a.m. in Sunday to help bake the (now four loaves of) bread for pre-service and worship. YIPPEE! Last time, I had to bake all of them myself. Thank you Beth.

Had to run home and pick up the bolt of black material and several others to work with on stage.
Left it at home this morning. YIPES!
Finished setting up the set this morning.

Learned how to put the backseats down in my new Ford Escape. Thank you Hunter.

Had to go find baskets. So after we left the church, I made a list of places to hit to find baskets. Walmart and Dollar Store. On my way to Walmart, I decided to quickly check in World Market. They have my favorite cookie and I felt I deserved a treat.
Wow! They had lots of stuff marked down to 50% off. I was able to find 4 nice sized baskets (could hold two loaves of cinnamon bread).
Bought them and my cookies. Invited the cashier to church (she asked why I was buying the baskets, I explained about the baking bread tomorrow) Ate a cookie. YIPPEE! Thank you God.

Then I went to the Party Store (first stop) to try and find a flashing Birthday Girl button to my character to wear in the week 4 drama. Found one. YIPPEE! I am ahead for two weeks out.

Got home. Unloaded my car.

Write on my blog about tomorrows service. Get out my things to do list (on my laptop). My battery dies. Not, too bad. Just plug it in. Start compiling the bags of stuff I need to take with me to church at 7:30 a.m. Small list today:
Extra bread mix, bowls, oil, measuring cup, big thermos with hot water, cinnamon and sugar, potholders, napkins, rubber spatula, wooden spoon.
Don’t forget my Bible.

Chat with one of the p’s in the Pod. :^)

Start making the bread. Bread is rising. Good. Stove stops working. YIPES! my hisband is at work, so I call our border (he lives in an apartment in our back yard). He comes and finds the tripped circuit breaker. YIPPEE! Thank you Bill.
Go to check on bread…the stove isn’t working again. You have got to be kidding me! YIPES!
“Bill, may I bake the bread in your oven?” He gets a piece of freshly baked cinnamon, brown sugar and walnut bread when it comes out of the oven. YUMMY! Thank you Bill again.
Well, it is 7:30, the bread is baking…
I’m going to set two alarm clocks tonight, just in case the power goes out.
MERCY! It's 8:00 the bread is done and it is unbelievably YUMMY! Come over and have a piece. We will see what the rest of the day brings. I love the body of Christ.

Have a great day!

What was your day like?

postcards from eternity...

So, yesterday setting up was an insane day. Almost everything that could go wrong, went wrong.
But the worship experience today was incredible.







Sunday Set List from Cross Current Ministries

Worship Set 1
Unchanging
All We Need


Welcome & Greet

Worship Set 2
All Creatures of Our God and King
Send Your Rain


Drama- Postcards from Eternity (script)...continues (scene 3)












(visual backdrop projected on the screen for the drama)
(details of how it all relates together)

Scene Three – in front of White Stone Bakery.
It represents the Church at Pergamum
Experiential element: baking bread in bread machines during the worship service. Prop: Is the baking bread and we handed out cinnamon bread during the message for everyone to eat.

Mini- Message- The message relates how the letters to Pergamum and Thyatira reveals Christ's identity to us now.

Drama- Postcards from Eternity (script) (scene 4)
(details of how it all relates together)













(visual backdrop projected on the screen for the drama)
Scene 4 on the steps of a courthouse
Represents: Thyatira:
Prop: scepter/gavel

Mini - Message on Thyatira

Worship Set 3
Till I See You

Well, I also have to mention that I woke up dreaming of white stones. When the fog cleared I realized that I needed a white stone for a prop (long story). So I texted my son and asked him to ask my grandson if gramma could borrow this big white quartz rock for church today. So, here is the newest addition to my pPod team.


He solemnly brought in his rock to share during worship. He placed it on the prop table and we explained that the pastor would use it in his sermon.

And after worship he came to pick up his rock again. Now, I know who to contact if I need rocks. He has a fine collection.

Man, I love what I do...

Tell me a little about yourself. Name of your church and where is your church located?

This is submitted to the Sunday Set List blog carnival at Fred McKinnon's blog. Go and check out this group of worship leaders from all over the world.

Friday, January 9, 2009

postcards (week 2)

It's early Saturday and I am heading out for another exciting day of setting up staging for week 2 of our new series "Postcards from Eternity". We are continuing to look at the 7 letters to the churches in Revelation through the Word and Creative Arts.


Have to drop by Starbucks and talk to my friend Stephanie about borrowing one of their tables and chairs...


So we are going to set up a courthouse and White Stone Bakery today. Man the things I do...
Details








Thursday, January 8, 2009

being...
















For me, if I had to stop doing everything "for church" and only focus on one thing...
It would be hanging out at Starbucks. It is my heart's discontent.
I strongly believe that I am being church when I am hugging the Muslim co-worker woman who just had a miscarriage this week.
I am being church when I am listening to the lonely transvestite (waiting for sex change surgery) cry over how much hatred is spewed at her/him.
I am being the church when I hold hands with a gal at work who had an affair; as she and her husband are struggling to put their marriage back together.

Everything I do “at church” is done with the same purpose. Again…
Entice the skeptic, challenge the lukewarm and spark passion in the believer to reach out to His lost children…

It is everything I am for Him…

What cause discontent in your heart?

creative fuZion // 2 //

Welcome to Thursday’s fuZion lab at designing for Philistines...

Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creative’s could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
Sadly, it went away. Yet the creative minds keep blogging.

Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the fuZion lab.
So here’s what you do…

1. Each Thursday YOU post a blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.

2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.

3. Then link your particular post in the comments here.

4. Share your name, a brief description of the element and most importantly the link to your blog. If you don’t blog yet, feel free to share your idea in the comments.

5. Go visit other peoples ideas, comment and share.

6. Ready to begin? Here we go. Let the creative fuzion begin.

Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)
_________________________________________________________

**Creative Elements from Cross Current Minstries**
This isn't an idea we have implemented yet, but something I'd like to try in the near future.
As I walk through life, almost every day my mind captures snapshots and extrapolates every day occurrences into worship designs.
I have absolutely no control over this. In fact I call it "God exploding in my mind". Sometimes it is a full blown worship experience, other times is a mere snippet. In fact that is why I started this blog. I had so many ideas running around in my head that they were crashing into each other. I needed a place to download my thoughts.
November 23rd, my mother took me to see the "Lion King". It was an amazing experience and a shining example of breaking through the fourth wall of stage design.
Just one of the moments that captured my imagination was these birds that had soaring over the audience. Check out this youtube video, you can see the character Zazu entering at 2:17. If you look closely you will also see other bird puppets in the background.





I saw about four - six people, spaced through-out the auditorium flying "something" over the heads of the worshippers.
So, I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to figure out how to implement this into worship. I have finally figured out I need fly fishing pools and fishing line. I have yet to figure out what to attach to the poles. I am thinking "fire". That may have to wait until this element works it's way into a specific message. We will see...

What is your wildest creative idea?

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

the Deep...















I’m trying to write down my thoughts about our first “Deep” worship experience.
It was basically a very loosely scripted worship design…
We are meeting the first Sunday evening each month in a senior citizen center in the lovely little town of Purcellville, VA. I guess about 30-35 people total.
Acoustic set with lead guitar, to percussions sets and a piano. Seating in the round.
Two hours…of worship (singing), interspersed as people felt lead with praying, sharing scripture, and small gatherings during communion.
We did not have child care (since we are pretty sure they didn’t have child care in the early church). So the children were free to be themselves, which I thought was pretty cool.
I’m not doing it justice, but suffice it to say it was very worshipful and all the attention was focused on God.


Short story to share from our pastor about our first “Deep” worship.
He shared he didn't necessarily "feel" emotional about what was going on during worship (it happens sometimes).
Then afterwards one of the moms came up to Chris and said that during worship her little 3 year old daughter, tugged on her pants and said


"Mommy, I want to pray to Jesus now and tell Him I love Him"...
Needless to say, if that is the ONLY emotional thing that happened at the Deep our first night, nothing else mattered...


Where does your passion lie? Do your actions show it?

I never stop thinking...

My mad friend Bill posted this picture in his creative album on fb.
And asked it we noticed anything strange about it...

My response: Something like that would be a really cool graphic for XC.

Honestly I never stop thinking about designing, what does that say about me?

What do you constantly think about?

vicar of vibe...

I made a decision years ago…
I am very called to walk with the skeptic, pierced, tattooed and disenfranchised (read: mostly younger) unbelievers of this world.
Everything I do is filtered through this calling.
It is why I fb. It is why I have a cell phone and txt.
It’s why I watch the most popular youtube vid’s, like “Charlie the Unicorn” (very popular with junior high – college age)
I listen to hard rock radio stations. (it’s what all my younger 20 something’s listen to)
I watch reality tv. In fact, I try to watch very new show (on broadcast tv) at least once. I track the most popular shows, like sytycd, Survivor, LOST, C.S.I., etc.
I have connections on deviantart.
I check out simworlds.
I turned down a full time job with my church, because it didn’t fit my giftings and more importantly it would have taken time away from hanging outside of Starbucks where I meet my skeptics.
Then I take all these experiences and try to design worship elements that will connect with these people. As long as it glorifies God, of course.
There are plenty of experiences at many churches that connect with the believer.
I want to reach the lost. Period.
It’s just what I do; it’s what I am called to do….

What are you called to do?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Blaise Pascal...

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) mathematician, physicist and philosopher.

I became fascinated by a Blaise Pascal after a small mention in a 90’s tv show (which I can’t even recall the name of the show). Maybe you could help. I was about a family that traveled around in an R.V.
The father was teaching at a school one day and he mentioned Pascal’s wager.
Now this was before the internet was widely used, so I actually did research at the library (remember those).

I was reminded again of Pascal last night in our School of Ministry. He wasn’t mentioned directly, but vaguely in reference to how our pastor deals with his very non-believing family.

Basically, the wager breaks down to this…

Obviously there is a lot more to this theory.
Since then there have been much criticism and refutation to Pascal’s wager; including Richard Dawkins.

There is too much going on in my mind at the moment to actually write much more…but I ask…

What do you think of Pascal’s Wager?

the Ramp...

If you haven't seen the Ramp, this is the day you should check them out...

"Precious Lamb of God" The Ramp

Sunday, January 4, 2009

postcards from eternity...













Postcards from Eternity (week 1)
Set Lists

Worship Set 1
All Bow Down

Welcome & Greet

Worship Set 2
I Will Bow
Your Love, oh Lord

Drama-Postcards from Eternity: Scene 1
(see details of how it all relates together)

Worship Set 3
Your Unfailing love

Message 1: Postcards from Eternity
Ephesus: (Park w/ tree): representation prop was an apple (the goodness of being able to eat from the tree of life). Ephesus is counseled to find their passion again. So were we.

Drama-Postcards from Eternity: Scene 2
(see details of how it all relates together)

Message 2: Postcards from Eternity
Smyrna: (Firehouse): representation prop is fire. Illusionist’s flash paper and/or fire extinguisher. We are promised we will not be hurt (we will be protected) at all by the second death.

Worship Set 4
Overcome

This will rate as one the very top worship experiences for me. I love it when all the pieces (elements) weave together to create a seamless service. From start to finish everything was branded and just fell into place. The message was astounding!
This is a four week series teaching through the letters to seven churches in Revelation.
Seven mini-sermons, seven mini-dramas, seven stage sets, seven lamp stands.
The mini-dramas revolve around various family members each receiving a postcard from the patriarch, who recently died. He is giving counsel on various issues in each person’s life.
Each scene in the drama corresponds with the message given to each church in Revelation.
Check back Thursday for the details of the set design.
Now I am off to a new worship experience we are starting each first Sunday evening of the month called the Deep. Where we are stepping into a deeper worship experience. Looking forward to this...

Everyone is welcome to come back on Thursday and share whatever creative elements that spark your passion that have been designed for your church at the new blog carnival “creative fuZion” on Thursdays. I started the fuZion because I have really missed being able to share (at Creative Chaos) the other elements that are being created each week at my church. More importantly I have missed what hearing what others are doing. Please join me.

Do you/have you ever shared the other creative elements that are designed by your church?

This is being shared at Fred McKinnon's blog carnival Sunday Set List each Sunday. There is so much to learn from all these wonderful worship leader and participants from across the world.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

I cried at 4:29...

I am starting to import posts from my other blogs, soon they will all be in one location again.
Here is one of my fav's from June at CruX-the heart of the matter...

sytycd4 (for the uninitiated it's So You Think You Can Dance)
hip hop has come of age - beyond a shadow of a doubt...
The dance starts at about 3:00. I cried at 4:29...

This is the raw passion that we need to share with others who do not know...
danced by Mark and Chelsea...
choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon

Thursday, January 1, 2009

creative fuZion//1//Christmas...

Welcome to "fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...

Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creative’s could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
Sadly, it went away. Yet the creative minds keep blogging.
Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the fuZion lab on Thursdays.
So here’s what you do…

1. Each Thursday YOU post a blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.

2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.

3. Then link your particular post in the comments here.

4. Share your name, a brief description of the element and most importantly the link to your blog. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.

5. Go visit other peoples ideas, comment and share.

6. Ready to begin? Here we go. Let the creative fuzion begin.

Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)

________________________________________________________________


This week let's start by sharing Christmas ideas. Or whatever your heart desires...


**This week at Cross Current Ministries**



Curtains Closed

Worship Set 1 (sung in front of the curtain w/ only acoustic guitar)

Joy to the World

Welcome & Greet

Creative Element: “Christmas Crescendo

Designed to show how often the true of meaning of Christmas is lost in the hustle and bustle of what Christmas has become to society.

Curtain opens to a blue spot on Mary and baby Jesus. She is quietly singing to baby:

O, Come, O Come Emmanuel (one verse)

She remains center stage as: Start: Electronic wav file of Carol of the Bells, entire band joined in layers on top of the track. The song gets louder and more hectic as the following scenes unfold: Lights: Leg of curtains, lights up on each side of stage.

Stage left: Husband and wife bring in Christmas tree, set it up and decorate (plug in lights), they also bring in gifts. Their young children enter (in p.j.’s), shake packages and play around tree. Read book.

Stage right: shoppers enter with rolling rack of clothes.

Stage right: Santa comes in, seated on a rolling platform with elves. Photographer enters and sets up his lighting and camera on a tripod. Families with children line up to get their picture taken with Santa.

More Lights: Icicle lights on back curtain light up.

Another rolling rack with clothes enters into the auditorium with another shopper and retail sales person.

ALL ACTION STOPS: Music ends abruptly, actors freeze in place, all lights black out except the blue spot again on Mary & Jesus

She sings (short intro of) O Come, O Come Emmanuel, which transitioned into:

Mary’s Child (amazing song written by April Eads, who also played Mary)

Worship Set 2 (done completely with an acoustic guitar only)

What Child is This? (Actors exited stage during intro.

Mary and Jesus exited after the first verse)

O Holy Night

Message: The Real Meaning of Christmas (and giving a gift of ourselves to Him)

Worship set 3 (the full band was back: w/communion and interactive family element)

There were several gifts boxes on each row. Everyone was asked to write or draw on a piece of paper, a gift they wanted to give to baby Jesus. (Families were asked to work with their children, which was really cool to see). Then place the note in a small gift bag and tie a ribbon around it. Then go as a family or with friends to the communion stations. And give the gift to Jesus (a manger was set up at each station).

Glory in the Highest

We Three Kings

O, Come, O Come Emmanuel (the percussionist used a really nifty Samba beat to this, totally cool!)

It was one of those amazing moments in time, where everything combined to share the true meaning with Christmas with all those who entered in today.

Interesting notes today:

My husband (not a Christian) came today.

He only comes to church once every couple of years. My son and his family visited again (four weeks now). It is so cool to be able to worship together. I particularly love how my three year old grandson loves to stand in the aisle to worship. He sways back and forth, claps his hands. My two year grand daughter also joined us.

Someone (a friend I have made at Starbucks, currently dechurched) I had invited, came and texted me afterwards that he thought the worship was awesome!

And two people came up afterwards. One person wants to join the pPod team (that implements the interactive experiential worship elements) and another wants to join the lighting team.

What an amazing day!

Tell me all about your design for Christmas, or whatever.