imperfect church nuances...

Welcome to the creative fuZIon lab. Where we share elements that enhance the weekend experience.

This is the last week in our series entitled the "imperfect church..."Continuing with the "progression of thought" in this multi-week series stage design. Adding, subtracting, changing the design subtly to invoke a feeling or thought. A tiny experiential element. For the last few weeks of this series we are wanting to add a few "signs of life" into our stage image of the imperfect church. We added some candles to the front stage left and a few candles by the window in the rear.

And for this last week we added ivy to one of the windows…

Again, the really cool thing about this is, there are people who actually "catch" the vision of what we are doing. People who notice the small changes each week. As soon as they walk into the auditorium. They "get it", they "feel" it. Which for me, is just an added bonus.

What do you think about experiential elements? Have you tried these types of things before?

Man, I LML and what I get to do…

So what did you do this week? It’s your turn to share…

creative fuZionlab //33// tweeking the design...

A major disadvantage of being a mobile church it that each week on Saturday we have to load everything in and put it all up, then on Sunday, break it all down and load it out...

But this "disadvantage" often is an advantage. Because we have to reset every week, it also gives us the opportunity to re-evaluate the stage design each week and "tweek" it.

We tend to take a lot of photos. I find that it is easier for me to "see" the stage in a photograph. It gives a different perspective.

We are in week three of our series "imperfect church". So I thought I'd show you how we utilize this process to "tweek" a stage design.

This is week one...After reviewing the photos we decided that everything (the windows and photos) were flown too low on the stage. So for week two, we flew everything higher. After reviewing week two photos...

We thought we should spend more time on spacing things vertically across the stage. Not necessarily to be perfectly spaced out, but to even it out some. So, for week three...

and we did just that.

Also we like to add "progression of thought" in a multi-week series stage design. Adding, subtracting, changing the design subtly to invoke a feeling or thought. A tiny experiential element. For the last few weeks of this series we are wanting to add a few "signs of life" into our stage image of the imperfect church. We added some candles to the front stage left and a few candles by the window in the rear. We have more thoughts for the next two weeks.

The really cool thing about this is, there are people who actually "catch" the vision of what we are doing. People who notice the small changes each week. They "get it", they "feel" it. Which for me, is just an added bonus.

creative fuZion lab //32// flying windows…

Who knew that flying things in the air could be so much fun? Think about it; you start with a completely empty stage, two hours later you have a slamming stage design. One day it goes up in about 2 hours, the next day it all comes down...six days later you do it all over again.

flying the windows: second week, same as the first with tweeking.

As mentioned before we used a heavy duty gauged wire with hooks and couplers to fly the windows. This week we needed to fly the windows higher. And we also noted that we needed to mark which window went on which side of the stage. LOL. We simply marked them with a sharpie on the bottom.

learning curve on flying the photos:

The pictures were printed on 3’ x 5’ foam core. Learning from previous experience; we added a piece of gaffers tape on the back of all the corners and then we gorilla glued the protective plastic corners (that came with the photos) onto the corners.

Then we drilled small holes on the top two corners to thread the fishing line through.

We threw the fishing line over the ceiling light trusses, threaded the fishing line through the photo itself, made loops then fastened the loops together with a safety pin on the back side.

This way we were able to adjust the photo’s angle by simply moving it back and forth on the fishing line, sort of like a clothesline.

See the last picture. This worked infinitely better.

Again, it all comes down on Sunday. Then six days later, we will do it again.

We also had a drama this week. That’s why there are trees and chairs on stage. Very funny. Written in house. You are able to view the drama here.

creative fuZion lab //31// imperfect church...

Wow! flying decrepit windows, awesome flying pics that tell a story, all to illustrate the imperfect church- a story of hurt, pain and hope!
Here we go...a new series.
The series is imperfect church... hopeful story of redemption!
-We did our promos, marketing and creative element (still waiting for the video to be posted) based on a run down decrepit church. It is really cool looking. I was very excited because it was so well branded across the board. That has been one of my goals.
-Someone donated old windows (thanks Bill and fam). We drilled two sets of the windows together, broke out some of the glass and used heavy duty wire and couplers to fly the window sets from the trusses above the stage.
-We didn't used the colorful plexiglass that is pictured here. It didn't really fit in with the rest of the design. After spending several hours going to the storage locker, having to cut off the old lock, rumbling around in the messiness and going to go get my husband to bring his truck because it wouldn't fit in my Escape...ah, the things we do.
-The photos were printed at Kinkos, on 3' x 5' foam core. Very expensive.
-The last pic are some notes for next weeks set-up.
Notes:
-It's interesting to have the pastor sitting in on our brainstorming and selection process; we get to actually spend church money. Most of the time I am limited in stage designing to what my personal pocket can afford. Currently that is what I am able to gift above my tithe. I am not complaining, I choose to do this freely, but I find it interesting that people are all like Oooohhh! This is so great! (We need to do more like this.) Maybe I should start asking for donations... Of all the arts at our church; this is one (of a few) that changes almost every week.
-Interestingly enough we had lots of help (extra hands) last week with this intense stage design; now this week we are going to have to duplicate the same design with me (the fluffy grandmothers whose fam won't let me climb ladders anymore) and a really tiny gal. Maybe others will pitch in and help.
-I also got to produce this weekend. It was one of those days-every single element just flowed together in perfect harmony.
-There are more details in my last two blog posts on the worship sets, order of service and the really exciting news!!!

Great weekend!

creative fuZion lab //30// simplest...

I have been on a "secret mission" for a couple of months.

I tried implementing scent before and got major push back.

I have been testing this concept out slowly in a section at a time in the auditorium over the last few months. What a difference a year makes...

I actually had to laugh, one of the major things previously brought up was scent sensitivity (duh!). I explained I really know what I was doing, I've researched a lot and just happen to be highly scent sensitive myself...

So this week our experiential element was some Hazelnut aroma plug-ins through out the venue. Gentle, unobtrusive...nice.
This time...no reactions, no complaints...
Secret mission accomplished!!!
What a cool experience this weekend. I was producing, so I asked the newest person on the ENHANCE team what she thought we should do with the stage. I really had no set ideas except for simplest...
Since this is the end of a year long series...
This is what she came up with...lots of candles (I went and bought some more flameless candles at Walmart)and (LED) tealights. We simply safety pinned the tealights into the curtains. We've done this a couple times, it particularly looks cool when the stage and house lights are off.
It looks like stars...
Great job Allison. She really has "it" I think.

Coming up...we are starting a new series emitled the "imperfect church". I don't thnk I have ever been this excited about a new series. From the creative element vid, the logo and stage design...I'm just flat out excited!!!! Stay tuned...

That's a wrap for this week...

creative fuZion lab //29// simple, simpler

The set this week was very simple. For a lot of reasons but mostly because I got the weekend off...
We are excited:
A new church wide process...
We are gearing up for a new series...
And a new creative team process...
stay tuned....

creative fuZion lab //28// parting shots...

It's hard to believe, but we are winding down with "parting shots" to our year long series "the Jesus Experiment".

creative fuZion lab //27// learning curve...

The stage design this week was fairly simple for us; again simply using gaffer clips and safety pins. We've got this down.

The newest challenge has been playing with ways to implement additional projections during worship. This definitely doesn't fall within my skill sets. I see it visually, but I have a ton to learn about technical implementation - I am in a steep learning curve right now.

This week we projected crashing waves during one song, and a video of our baptisms during the closing song "Jesus Paid It All". These were last minute additions. The baptism images were really powerful...

Details: We are trying to figure out what to project the images on; since we aren't at a point of buying a second projection screen. One week we tried just projecting straight onto the black curtain, looked nice but not enough contrast. We also tried projecting onto a white (curtain) hung on the back curtain. I'm really not happy with the effect yet. Still thinking and I am open to suggestions.

creative fuZion lab //26// designing with a basketball hoop...

Seriously. I never in a million years would have though that I would be doing a stage design on a basketball hoop. Well, this week that is exactly what I did.
This was a baptism Sunday and since we are a mobile church we rented space from a retreat facility nearby. The venue was an outdoor pavilion/basketball court. The baptisms were done in the pool.
I hadn't seen the venue until I arrived Sunday morning. When we arrived for set-up, people were pitching in getting everything ready. I kept seeing the basketball hoop and thinking "ugh!".
Luckily, thankfully, sadly...I had several bolts of cloth in my vehicle. So we just started throwing the cloth on the basketball hoop and moving it around with the percussionist's rain stick until it looked decent. For a basketball hoop... Didn't use one safety pin. LOL!
We worshiped, did the baptism and had a super great cook-out wih games and activities for everyone. Over a dozen people of all ages were baptised this week. What a great week!

creative fuZion lab //25// the art of using a safety pin to implement stage design...

I use a tag line all the time that the only thing you need to be able to do to serve on the ENHANCE team, is to be able to operate a safety pin. And I am serious.
Most everything I do is created with the use of safety pins and gaffer clips. I realized that it may not make sense, so I thought I'd try to visually explain how I think in designing a set.
First I see I design. Then I figure out where to place safety pins to create the desired effect.
Here is
Restart the slide show below. You will first see the stage design that was created, then you will see closer shots of where the safety pins were placed.
I've added notes to the slides how. Hopefully it will make sense.
It really is very easy to do. You may need to link to Picassa to see it.



Now, I'm off to the WAVE worship leader conference in Virginia Beach, Virgina today...
Mr. Linky isn't linking again...ugh!!!

creative fuZion lab //24// inspiration...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about.
Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing.
Let's spark each other's creativity...
So here’s what you do…
Ready to begin? Here we go.
Let the creative fuZion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)
*********************
I see inspiration all over the place. I am always searching for ideas to inspire. This weeks design was inspired by a picture I found somewhere on the internet. It's the first photo in this slideshow.
Then I look at the overall "picture" I am trying to design and use the safety pins to pin it into place. Does that make any sense?
This is almost completely done with safety pins!


I realized how much I do with safety pins. Next week I am going to share a little more about safety pins...
What tool do you use the most when you are designing?
Now it's your turn to share

ugh! Having Mr. Linky issues...and I have to go to work. Please just post in comments if Mr. Linky doesn't appear..

creative fuZion lab //23// inspiration...

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

This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.

This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about.

Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing.

Let's spark each other's creativity...

So here’s what you do…

Ready to begin? Here we go.

Let the creative fuZion begin.

Spread the Word.

Dorothy (vicar of vibe)

*********************

This weeks design was inspired by a picture posted on flickr creative elements design WAREHOUSE lab, by wplynn. The whole design of the WAREHOUSE lab is to share creative design elements to inspire each other.

Six clothes hung from gaffer clips in the rafters.

Braided.

The clothes were then spread out and safety pinned to the

various curtain legs.

Then we added several of those little "pop" on closet lights. One round one and three star shaped ones.
Thy were hung by "S" hooks and then attached to safety pins on the curtains.
I don't know what I would do with out safety pins. Seriously.

Your turn.

What inspires your designs?

creative fuZion lab //22// videos...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about.
Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing. Let's spark each other's creativity...
So here’s what you do…
Ready to begin? Here we go.
Let the creative fuZion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)

You will hear me say again and again; we have a mad creative team. Here are two recent examples. The first is Barbie's House (part 2) video; which was written, acted, filmed by our team (and other talented people)

Barbie's House Part 2: Robo Dude from CrossCurrent Ministries on Vimeo.

The second here is a sketch entitled "Middle of the Garden". Again written in house.

Man I am so blessed to work such talented people.

Why not share something you've been dreaming about doing?
Mr. Linky

creative fuZion lab //21// the end of “I”…

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about. Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing. Let's spark each other's creativity...
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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)


Just when “I” think “I” have reached the edge of what “I” am able to do…
GOD steps in with a new vision.
Again I am learning to step from “I” to “i” and let HIM lead.

Sometimes i am able to walk in with a concept-with no idea if it is going to be successfully implemented or not. Yet, almost every single time it does work.
Often when i walk in on a Saturday to style the stage at XC, i don’t even have a clue what i am going to do.

Actually for me it’s really the continued realization that everything i create is truly from HIM.

This week was one of those weeks, when the inspiration just hit while i was setting up. A very fun process. i knew i was going to raise the cloth "like a flag on a flagpole". But then it hit me, i could actually tie the other end to the props cage backstage (will have to get a picture this week). Viola! It looked so cool!

Have you been focusing on “U” want? What “U” think “U” are able to do in your power?

Keeping it real. Always remember it’s not us, it’s HIM.
Now, it's your turn. Show me what you have been doing creatively!

creative fuZion lab //20// at a loss for words...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about. Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing. Let's spark each other's creativity...
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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)


Words completely failed me when I was trying to explain this weekend's worship experience. We have been focusing on "seeking God". And the design plan was setting up various worship stations. 6 stations: A prayer wall, pillows to lie before the cross, communion station, journaling and reading station, an art station and a meditation station with votive lights.
Simple thought, simple plan.
But this weekend was much more than that. A lot of it centered around the devotion that we had on Saturday and the bouncing ball challenge...
Sometimes words can not explain the power of what has happened…
I think that is what was blowing me away.
Story #1
We have had a prayer wall (replicating the wailing wall in Jerusalem) for many years.
That was one of the stations this weekend. People were invited to come and write prayers and/or take a prayer from the wall and pray for it.
O.k. are you ready for this?
Someone brought his neighbor to Cross Current. He is a practicing man of the Jewish faith. First time in a “Christian” church.
He was absolutely amazed, he recognized the prayer wall immediately and actually went forward and participated at the wall…
After he left he was telling his friends that this was something special, he had no idea that this is what “church” was like…
Story #2
At the art station during worship there was a very young girl (probably about 5 years old) who spent 20 minutes drawing an offering to God. It took my breath away.
These are just two examples of the feeling this weekend, the spirit of God was palatable this weekend.
When was the last time that God was palatable in worship for you?
Your turn, please share some creative elements from your worship.

creative fuZion lab // 19 // In the Middle of the Garden...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
This is the blog kingdom where freaky creatives are able to share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom.
This is the place to share whatever creative element you are using in your weekend service or just something you have been dreaming about. Come and see what others are doing, come and share what you are doing. Let's spark each other's creativity...
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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)

This was one of those flat out fun weeks.

We had a drama sketch entitled "In the Middle of the Garden" script written by our own Mark MacDicken, who leads our drama team. Mark also played the serpent and Eve was portrayed by the ever so lovely and talented Ashley Choyce.
Take a minute to read the script. It was hilarious! Especially the ending...
The staging was a tree and a bush. You know, typical garden of Eden setting.
The tree was made with live cuttings from a hedge in my yard and was attached by plastic cuff ties to our cross.
The "bush" was a stage flat covered with dark green material gathered up in multiple spots with safety pins.
The serpent puppet was made by hand by Mark MacDicken (again). Seriously, look at the detail. It's wonderful. I hope to have the video of the sketch up soon.
I tell you, one of the things that I really appreciate about our creative teams; we do this week in and week out. We really LOVE what we do and feel blessed that we "get to" serve. It's a hard concept for some people to fathom. But it's one of those things "if you don't get it, you don't get it". You either truly love serving or you are a poser.
My question for you this week: Do you LOVE what you are doing? Or are you a poser? Why or what not?
Now it's your turn to share. Tell me something that you are excited about creatively...

creative fuZion lab //18// new ways of thinking

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creatives 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 creative 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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)

I have been quite taken by visualworshipper.com

They do absolutely amazing things with projections. I've been dreaming about this concept for many months and playing around with a small projector I have.
Our first attempt was in August last year. We projected a motion loop of clouds floating.


This week we projected a stained glass image on the back curtain.
The pictures I took turned out really bad. But it
will give you the idea. It actually turned out really nice.

We are talking now how to utilize two or three projectors to be able to project a much larger image across a larger space.

This is actually really fun. I'm looking forward to exploring the possibilities.


Next, my family has asked me to stop climbing on ladders. Several things have happened to me
recently and they are concerned for my safety.
So this adds a new dimension for planning the stage designs.

Either not hang cloth or have someone else

climbing the ladders. I've been asking God what He thinks I should do now...

This idea hit me this weekend. We opened the back curtains. Then attached cloth (with safety pins) on the the rope (that opens and closes the curtains) and then closed the curtains, which
raise the cloth up like a flag on a flag pole. It took a couple of times to get the placement correct,
but it worked extremely well.
Then we stretched the cloth across the stage.
I'm sure other ideas are going to come up.

So, over all this is what our stage design looked like this week. it actually was really interesting and fun to do. Oh, I forgot to mention that the picture of Jesus is covering up the proctor and computer.
It's been a tough week. With people being a little judgemental, not about the designs but about what our creative team does and how (often) we do it. It was odd and hurtful. But, I realized if I am the only person doing this for how ever long, I'm really fine with it. But I have very committed people from our creative team that step in to help now. We are all at a point in our journey where we are eager to serve, which comes from the overflow of our relationship with God. And you know it's always been true 20% of the people do 80% of the work.

Now I am going to work for the next day or two on a tree for this weekend. Ha, ha!

Do you have any new concepts you are working with?
Now it's your turn.

creative fuZion lab//17// killing the rose...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creatives 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 creative 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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)



We've been doing a 4 week mini series entitled "The Full Gospel". It's really focusing on the details of turning your life over to Christ.
This vid was created by our Bill Hombach. Who wrote the poem, drew the artwork and filmed the vid. The music underscoring the vid was played by Brian Smith (cello) during our Tenebrae service.

Killing The Rose from CrossCurrent Ministries on Vimeo
The creative team didn't plan this series, so I've been playing with some conceptual ideas I've had for staging.
This is mimicking a throne canopy; hung with gaffers and safety pinned to the back curtain.

creative fuZion lab //16// tenebrae (shadows)...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creatives 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 creative 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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)


Being such a young church, this is the first year XC has done any ancient/modern services.
We did both an interactive Passover Seder and a Tenebrae service.
The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows.
The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. It is not supposed to be a joyful service, because this moment in time was not triumphant.
The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until the Resurrection on Easter.
Prepare your heart.
Come; experience the darkness before the light.
He has not yet risen.

How it all played out:
Cello bags were handed out as people entered the auditorium. They contained a black strip of cloth and a nail.
(We asked that people wear the black cloth around their neck and hold the nail in their hand during worship)

Instrumental Opener
(Instruments: acoustic guitar, keyboard, cello and percussion)
Worship Set 1:
Sing to the King

Welcome & Greet

Worship Set 2:
Here I am to Worship

Scene 1: Words of Institution - Chris E.
Scene 2: Communion (partake together)

Worship Set 2:
Carried to the Table (Leeland) (sung during communion)

Scene 3: Reader 1:
Father forgive them…
Reader: Covers first candle.
Creative element: Reader walks up to Cross with mallet and large nails, hammers nails into cross.

Scene 4: Reader 2:
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
Reader: Covers second candle
Creative element: Experiential movement of congregation hanging the black cloths on the Cross. Several mournful cello solo’s were played during this portion.

Scene 5: Reader 3:
Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, Here is your mother.
Reader: Covers third candle.
Creative element: Start with the image created of Mary and baby from the Christmas Crescendo. Melissa Genter singing “Mary Did You Know?”.

Scene 6: Reader 4:
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
Reader: Covers fourth candle.
Creative element: Eloi - Special Song - April Eads

Scene 7: Reader 5:
I thirst.
Reader: Covers fifth candle.
(Short spoken piece Narrator, directions)
Creative element: [Experiential/Interactive: go to tables to partake vinegar water.] This is executed in silence.

Scene 8: Reader 6:
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
Reader: Covers sixth candle.

Scene 9: Transition: “Why” sung live by April
Dramatic movement piece interpreting the song “Why”

Scene 10: Reader 7:
It is finished.
Reader: Covers seventh candle.

Scene 11: [All lights are extinguished at this point; we sit in complete and total darkness,
THUNDER (percussion) 30 seconds-pause 30 seconds.}

Scene 12: Teaching moment about the sufficiency of the Cross.
Bridge (with alter call) - Chris Eads

Scene 13: Celebration
Worship Set 4
In Christ Alone
Wonderful Cross
Blessed Be Your Name

NOTES:
Several elements weren’t completed. I learned it doesn’t matter what position the person holds, they still needed to followed up with to insure that they are on task.
Some elements were dropped out and rearranged at the last moment. This created back to back elements of “just sit and listen to people sing” moments.

We are already planning on doing a Tenebrae service again next year.

How was your Palm Sunday?

creative fuZion lab //15// Experiential Passover Seder

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creatives 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 creative 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 post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. 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)


This took a lot of research and prayer. Especially to insure that we covered all the main portions of the traditional Passover Seder and which elements to incorporate experiential elements for congregational interaction.
We purchased a children’s Haggadah (it was Jewish, not Messianic) and pulled out the various elements and decided on 4 experiential elements. Everything was prepared for 300 participants.
Our pastor and one of our congregants (a Messianic Jew) lead the Seder from the stage.
I wasn’t able to be there for the actual Seder that Sunday, but many said it was a great experience.
Particularly moving to me where a couple of Messianic Jews who commented on how much it impacted them. Very, very cool.
If you plan on doing a Passover Seder, I’d highly recommend purchasing a Messianic Haggadah and using someone who is very familiar with an actual Passover Seder. It will save you a LOT of time.
If you have any futher questions on details, I’d be happy to answer any questions.

Here is the outline (order of service) we used. Experiential elements are noted in bold red.

Bridge into Seder: Chametz prayers before and after (together),
Mention Chametz removal (yeast + sin, Christ is sinless),
light candle (And candle prayer),

Opening Seder prayer, explanation of symbols
Explanation of symbols and Passover teaching:

Blessing for Wine Cup (#1)
Leaders: Drink wine
Leader will symbolically wash his hands.

Blessing (karpas): Explanation to congregants what they are to do
Experiential movement #1 Dipping of Celery in Salt water.

Worship Set 2 (2 songs related to seeking God) Breathe
Breaking of Matzo (not eaten) done symbolically by the pastor

Story of the Passover
We decided against this clip. Too silly for the serious mood we were creating. But, funny...

Message of symbolism of Christ as THE Passover Lamb.
The protection of His blood (on the threshold),
Responsive reading Dayenu! This is cool. We adapted it for our service.

Worship Set 3
Enough

Cover matzo, raise (second) cup of wine PRAYER, then drink the wine (lean to the left)

Shank Bone (explain the shank bone)

Blessing over Matzah (explanation while passing -
while Chris teaches and HOLD the matzah; take together
Reading, eat while lean to the left...

Blessing over Maror (horseradish)
Explanation of what is happening: go to the table dip lettuce in horseradish and charoset.
Experiential movement #2 to table eat them together
Had a sign on each table (and front doors of auditorium) listing INGREDIENTS in the charoset in case of nut allergies.

Ingredients in the charoset we made:


Worship Set 5 (related to freedom)

Blessing of the (#3 Redemption Cup and 4 combined) cup of wine Pass (wine)
Blessing of the (#) Cup of Wine; everyone partakes of the wine...

Explanation of the Egg