100th day of the year...

How do you celebrate the 100^th day of the year?

First you do a lot of counting and re-counting. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9,...

Everyone brought 100 of their favorite things to the party.

I put 100 safety pins on a shirt to wear and share.

At the party, we started by reading “Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100^th Day of Kindergarten”.

Then everyone shared the 100 items they brought to the party.

100...baseball trading cards, Pokemon Cards, beanie babies, hair ties, beads, stickers, Lego's, marbles, colorings pens & pencils, monkeys on an outfit.... Help me out mom's, what did I miss...

Hundreds of fingers counted and strung 100 Fruit Loops on a string and made necklaces. I would say it is safe to assume that 100's of Fruit Loops got eaten also while we were stringing!

There were three jars of jelly beans and we guessed which one had 100 jelly beans in it. Only one person got it correct. Go Laurie and Jake!

We listed 100 Things that we are thankful for on a poster board.

Then we ate! There was 100 pretzels, 100 pieces of cheese, 100 cucumber slices, 100 grapes, 100 chicken nuggets...

We shared 100 skittles and 100 jelly beans for dessert. Yum! Believe it or not 100 of these items was just the perfect amount.

We had at least 100 minutes of playing and fun.

Everyone got a fake Monopoly $100 bill, and we all shared what we would do with $100.

Then we learned how 100 friends, who stick together can not be broken apart.

There were way more than 100 laughs!

What a fun, fun day! Old friends, new friends. We may have to do it again next year and maybe you could join us. Someone even wanted to have a 200^th day of the year party. I think he had fun.

So everyone start counting....

1, 2, 3, 4, 5....

caged bird...

(wplynn) flickr

It's early in the morning and I am listening to the birds outside my window chirping “I am free”; as I pray and reflect on this coming day.

For us it started with one voice chirping, “we need to look outside our lavish northern Virginia lifestyles and really see the problem of human trafficking”, then others joined in the chorus.

Today we are the Loudoun County Human Trafficking Task Force (VA). With great anticipation we are preparing for our first county wide first education & awareness movie event. A showing of “Not My Life”. People have joined hands & raised their voices, sharing what they know about trafficking and today 80-100 people are coming to start their education & awareness process.

Who will in turn spread awareness. But, more importantly they will start doing something about abolishing slavery in our lifetime.

It is a process, it takes patience. But the realization hits that one person can do so much. One voice, plus one voice swells into a multitude of voices.

Somewhere in your home town, there is a person or a child who is caged in human trafficking, chirping “please release me, set me free”. Will you be that voice that responds?

Here is your first step on how you can be that voice for the voiceless.

be a voice for the voiceless...

We believe everyone has a voice to be heard. By lobbying your local politician, you can advocate for those without a voice. Often times adjusting laws and policies surrounding the issue of human trafficking can make it easier to identity and convict traffickers in the court of law. For more information on how to inform your elected officials, check it out:
Ask Congress to Support Crucial Anti-Trafficking Bills Today!

It's a very simple act, write for their rights. Something you are able to do today is to sign petitions and letters today that will be hand delivered to the President, Congressmen and Senators.
Two great non-governmental organizations are invovled with powerful legislative advocacy to end slavery and you can help.

TAKE ACTION: http://www.polarisproject.org/take-action/advocate/569-tell-congress-to-act-on-critical-anti-trafficking-legislation-now

STAND FOR FREEDOM: Sign your name

http://www.ijm.org/content/sign-your-name-stand-for-freedom#sotu-form

little bitty rubber ducks...

One day I sat down and made this silly vid about how the stage design "really" occurs at Cross Current. In some ways I wish it were true. It would make it simpler.
If you could see me on a Sunday...squeezing in between the various band members, crawling on top of wonky carts, rolling up 35' of material on the floor, cutting and stringing heavy duty fishing line and lots and lots of safety pins.

life as a mobile church...

Since I have been dealing with the very same elements for about 3 months now, it's been tougher to simply design and make them look interesting from my POV.

The posters have to go really high, so the logo's show, it gets to be a struggle.

Then add to that, the middle school we met in has been doing their spring musical production of “Annie”. So we have been contending with stage sets, extra flats, props (large props), furniture...

Honestly I wasn't really “feeling” it.

But I woke up really early (thank you God) today, ready to roll out and do the stage.

It was really tight on stage with the band moved forward. We lost about four feet of the rear of the stage. But, hey...we made it work.

second verse, same as the first...

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.

put one foot in front of the other...

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.

anatomy of setting up a stage design...

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.

serve the world...

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.

This is being submitted to Sunday Set Lists @ theworshipcommunity.com

love God, love 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.

love others...

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.

are you having a great time serving...

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.

redemption....

Possible thought for Redemption Sunday 5 minute countdown...

some "free" stuff for worship media...

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.

Red Ferris Wheel

Motion Share

Worship Media

Igniter Media

Image Vine

Skit Guys

Muddy River Media

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.

Here are just a few basic Graphic and Font Guidelines for media

So from static graphics to loops and videos, there is a plethora of media available to you.

silent servers...

It takes a lot of people to prepare for the Sunday morning worship experience. There are some who are creating during the week and then there are those who come in at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday to prepare the worship space.
Here are just a few that helped serve for this week. This doesn't included the person who got the ladder, helped me climb the ladder and put up the banners, took it all down and much, much more.
And that is just the beginning.
Thank you for serving!

love God, not kidney stones...

I love our worship leaders! This week was part 2 in our series of “love God, love others, serve the world”... The message today was “love God” and our worship sets really highlighted the message.

Worship Set 1
Our Love is Loud

Worship Set 2
Our God
Revelation Song
Only You
Message: love God...

Worship Set 3
Awakening

We will be focusing a lot on this series, which is also our purpose statement at XC. Our banners arrived this week. Printed on foam core. Looked really nice.

O.k. Got the love God; but kidney stones? Yup! I have been battling kidney stones for awhile. Got the stage all set up, but then I had to leave because of the stones. (sadness).

This is being posted as part of Sunday Set Lists @ the Worship Community. See what people are singing today across the nation.

worship wars...

I believe there is an inherent struggle for people to want to remain the same.

The people say: “What “we did” in the day is still current and relevant. “We want new people to come, yet just fit in and become just like us.”

The lines get drawn based on person's preferences.

What I struggle with is I see people pushing the remain in the past; which for us means late 80's and early 90's. It is ironic that these 30-40 somethings are becoming a graying congregation and they don't see it. I read a book in 2002, entitled “2020 Vision”, by Richard Hamm. It was very enlightening. It talks about how congregations are able to appear to be surviving well (a lot of it is based on the tithing habits of the founding members). Then those members start to die off and all of the sudden they realize there is no one left. What has happened was they didn't have a forward thinking vision to stay relevant enough to remain healthy in the future.

I keep saying that is it is God's will to remain stuck in the past (for this body of Christ), then that is what we are supposed to do. But if it is simply based on what “we want” or “we like”, then we've got it wrong. If you are passionate about following God, I believe you have to constantly step out of your comfort zone to pursue the higher ideal of serving God's vision. It all boils down to what God wants.

There is nothing inherently wrong with either traditional or modern worship styles.

If we listen to Him, we will continue to impact the world. But if we don't listen to Him, based on human nature, this “worship style” battle will continue to rage through the Body of Christ.

the video that went around the world (literally)....

So, this is the story of how a vid literally went around to world to finally wind up back home...We have a missionary named Jessica, who is now serving in South Africa. She has been a member of our community for many, many years.
She posted this video on fb a couple of weeks back. I clicked and loved it!
Passed it on to our teaching pastor for that week. He loved it!
Someone on our team got permission for the creators to use the video. They downloaded it and prepped our ProPresenter. Used it that very same Sunday.
This all happened in less than a week.


Later, I went to write a thank you note to Kelly and Niki Tshibaka, the people who created the video;
  and found out they they live here in Northen Virginia!
How about that!

inventory in a truck...

Resolved...to get a handle on what inventory, props, cloth, etc we have (for XC creative arts) and where it is located! Not so easy.First, some of the cloth.
Need to update the newer cloth purchases; schedule a fun, exciting day to roll out, measure, mark and re-roll and document all the cloth. Yippee!
Next, these are the random items that are in a truck at CFC's property.

Then, I need to get the the XC storage facility and document what is there...

we will see what happens...

Starting a new series. love God, love others, serve the world...
(smiling) Due to last minute planning (not on my part), the new logo (our purpose statement) have been created and made into banners and printed.
Didn't have any input. (still smiling)
They were not ready for this set design, so the pastor requested a simple living room set.
So this week it was our standard couch, end table, a light from Ikea and a little cloth.
Since the band was rather large this week, wound up hanging the cloth in the corner, safety pinned it around the school's American flag pole. Seriously.

Last picture: several times since we have been meeting in this middle school auditorium, the electric room divider has gotten stuck partway. makes for an interesting Sunday.
Thankfully I always have some sort of cloth in my car, so we roped off that section. LOL.
So, the banners are supposed to be here this week. I'll be really interested to see what they look like. They were described to me a little. We will see.
Still smiling!