Worship Ministry Update: July 28

Blog it Up!

 

     You can post your own comments by clicking onto this site: http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com.  You can also post and view the blog from the FCCN website: www.fccn.org   There have been a few comments posted from you all every once in a while, so post them if you so desire. :) 

 

 2009 Vision: Serving the Community Through the Arts and Acts of Kindness 

 

    We're inching closer and closer to 2009!  I look forward to serving with you all: we'll be playing music at coffee houses (soft acoustic feel), playing some louder music at festivals, the choir and orchestra will be performing at outdoor events and the mall, and we'll be extending grace to people by doing random acts of kindness like raking leaves or handing out a free bottle of water on a hot summer day.  Remember why we're doing this: we'll do something for free (just like God's love) and give them a connection card that invites them to a Sunday worship experience.  Then they may just give their heart to Jesus as a result.  Who knows how many people we will see in heaven as a result of a simple act of kindness!  

 

 2008 Christmas Musical: December 13-14 

 

    It will be biblical epic with live animals, costumes, special effects, huge   sets, drama, choir and orchestra!  As I mentioned last week, in addition to the live performances at FCCN on Dec. 13-14, a video recording will be played on Fox 7 Christmas morning.   I am so honored to have this opportunity!  

 

    There is quite a bit of buzz around FCCN these days about the 2008 Christmas Musical.  Glory to God!  I'm getting a lot of questions like, "how can I help?"  So on August 31, September 7 and September 14, we will be having some sign up tables in the gym.  I'll need some volunteers to greet people at the tables and help answer questions before and after each worship service.  Let me know if you're interested in helping with that. 

 

2009 Worship Ministry Intern

 

   Jake Miller, who is a student at KCU, will be interviewing for the FCCN worship ministry intern position in 2009.  As you might know, KCU is my alma mater! :)  He will be here during the weekend of Aug. 23-24, and he'll be playing his alto saxophone during the Sunday worship service.  Please be in prayer for Jake and the interview team as we get to know each other.  You can send him a note of encouragement at jmiller@kcu.edu. 

 

 Value for the Month: "Be Gracious with Criticism" 

 

    As we have learned this month, worship ministry can be controversial sometimes.   But there is nothing else I would rather do!  It is such a blessing to serve with all of you and to use our artistic talents for God's glory!

 

    I have one more suggestion for this month.  Actually, it's not mine.  It comes from the book of James: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19). 

 

    That can be quite hard sometimes!  It's easy to become defensive.  It's easy to start making excuses.  But it's wiser to listen first.  This principle from James is echoed in one of my favorite books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Andrew Carnegie.  He says, "Most people trying to win others to their way of thinking do too much talking themselves.  Let the other people talk themselves out. They know more about their business and problems than you do.  So ask them questions.  Let them tell you a few things.  If you disagree with them you may be tempted to interrupt.  But don't.  It is dangerous .  .  . so listen patiently with an open mind.  Be sincere about it.  Encourage them to express their opinions fully" (Carnagie 150).

 

    So, as I said before, feel free to talk to me about your ideas, questions or concerns about the corporate worship at FCCN.  Many of you have done this already, and I hope that I have modeled James 1:19, because I really want to hear your thoughts!  It's my prayer that the worship at FCCN is authentic, biblical and creative.  Would you mind to help me with that?

 

    God bless,

 

        Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Rd. 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

 

Office phone: (812) 858-5000

Cell phone:    (812) 449-3474

Fax:              (812) 858-5001

www.fccn.org

Pfoust@fccn.org

 

Worship Ministry Update: July 22

2009 Vision: Serving the Community Through the Arts and Acts of Kindness

 

       We're inching closer and closer to 2009!  I look forward to serving with you all: we'll be playing music at coffee houses (soft acoustic feel), playing some louder music at festivals, the choir and orchestra will be performing at outdoor events and the mall, and we'll be extending grace to people by doing random acts of kindness like raking leaves and handing out a free bottle of water on a hot summer day.  Remember why we're doing this: we'll do something for free (just like God's love) and give them a connection card that invites them to a Sunday worship experience.  Then they may just give their heart to Jesus as a result.  Who knows how many people we will see in heaven as a result of a simple act of kindness! 

 

2008 Christmas Musical: December 13-14

 

    Paul Morrison and I are working on the script and we're looking forward to a biblical epic with live animals, costumes, special effects, huge sets, drama, choir and orchestra!  As I mentioned last week, in addition to the live performances at FCCN on Dec. 13-14, a video recording will be played on Fox 7 Christmas morning.  Look out FCCN worship ministry!  It will be the biggest thing we've ever done!

 

        Mentor and Equipper Ice Cream Buffet: Tomorrow Night (Wednesday), July 23 @ 6:30 P.M. @ Joe and Kendra Bradford's house,

        5055 Landview Dr. Newburgh, IN  47630. 

 

            Tomorrow is the night!  As I said last week, all the mentors and equippers in the worship ministry are invited for ice-cream and a dip in   

        the pool!  Bring the kids and we'll have a blast!  I'm not planning on having a "meeting" per se, unless any of you have anything you want

        to discuss with the entire group. 

 

           We'll have a smaller group on hand: maybe 10-12.  There are some people traveling on vacation and whatnot.  We'll just get together    

        and hang out.

   

    I'll be bringing the ice-cream, bowls and toppings.  Feel free to bring any topping that floats your boat.    

 

We Found a Boat!

 

    Speaking of boats, Mark Schmitt has found an 8 foot wooden boat that will work nicely on Sept. 7.  Thanks for your help!  As I mentioned last week, I'm planning to memorize the entire book of Jonah and preach it on Sunday morning, Sept. 7 here at FCCN.  The preaching staff has given me the go ahead, and I'm thankful for the opportunity.  However, I won't be doing much "expository" work.  I'll just be communicating it word for word from the NIV text.  I'll be teaching from the boat in part in chapter 1 from Jonah.  

 

Value for the Month: "Be Gracious with Criticism"

 

    I'd like to give you an inside look into worship ministry this week.  As you may imagine, worship ministry can be controversial sometimes.  It's either "too loud," or "too soft." There are too many hymns, not enough hymns, etc, etc, etc.  But I'm probably not telling you something you don't already know. :)

 

    When I first entered worship ministry back in 2000, I received many "anonymous letters."  They would be from someone who was upset about something in the worship ministry.  I changed the worship style in that little country church back then, and I did it WAY too fast.  It was a mistake that I prayerfully decided not to repeat here at FCCN. :)

 

    But I did learn another important lesson during that time.  I decided not to read anonymous letters at all.  The reasoning was simple: according the the Bible (Matthew 18), whenever there is a issue or personality conflict, we are to go directly to that person and sort it out in a loving way.  We are commanded by Christ to do this.  But instead, some decide to send letters with no return address to hammer their point through in a judgmental way.  This did not honor God, so I decided not encourage unbiblical practices in the church.  

 

    I've asked our administrative assistant, Lynn Drew, to intercept anonymous letters for me.  She sorts our mail, and if there is a letter with no return address or no signature at the bottom, she throws it away for me!  This process has helped foster an open and honest form of communication in the worship ministry, and I praise God for all of you!

 

    So, as I said last week, feel free to share your opinions on worship with me.  Many of you have done this and helped me refine the Sunday worship into a more biblical and relevant experience.  Many of you have also done it in a God honoring way: you have been kind and compassionate when offering suggestions (Ephesians 4:29).  So feel free to drop me a line when you get a chance.

 

    God bless,

 

        Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Rd. 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

 

Office phone: (812) 858-5000

Cell phone:    (812) 449-3474

Fax:              (812) 858-5001

www.fccn.org

Pfoust@fccn.org

 

Worship Ministry Update: July 14

I'm  STILL Looking for a Boat

 

    I've gotten a few leads from all of you, but nothing definite yet.   As I mentioned last week, I'm planning to memorize the entire book of Jonah and preach it on Sunday morning, Sept. 7 here at FCCN.  The preaching staff has given me the go ahead, and I'm thankful for the opportunity.  However, I won't be doing much "expository" work.  I'll just be communicating it word for word from the NIV text. 

 

    Here's where I need your help.  I am looking for a nice wooden boat to put on stage that day.  Attached is a picture of what I'm looking for. It needs to be quality, but wooden so it could pass for a boat from 780 B.C.

 

    Give me a shout if you or anyone you know might have one,

 

   

 

 

Praise Team practice this Week

 

    Since the Warrick County Musical is practicing in the worship worship center this week, praise team practice will be up in the high school room.  We'll meet at our normal time from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday (July 15).

 

   

Mentor and Equipper Ice Cream Buffet: Wednesday night, July 23 @ 6:30 P.M. @ Joe and Kendra Bradford's house, 5055 Landview Dr.
Newburgh, IN  47630. 

 

    As I said last week, all the mentors and equippers in the worship ministry are invited for ice-cream and a dip in the pool!  Bring the kids and we'll have a blast!  I'm not planning on having a "meeting" per se, unless any of you have anything you want to discuss with the entire group.  But I would like all 20 of us to get together for some fellowship. 

Value for the Month: Be Gracious with Criticism

 

James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” 

 

I do appreciate hearing people's opinions on worship.  You may laugh, but it's true!  It is interesting to hear varying opinions on style, philosophy, preference, etc.  I have found that there are as many opinions as flavors of ice-cream.  This is especially true with our inter-generational style worship service, when we have so many different generations of people on Sunday morning.  Within the worship center on Sundays are are 4 generations of people: The "Builders" generation (1911-1945), the "baby boomer" generation (1945-1964), Generation X (1965-1979), and Generation Y (1980-2001).  Think about it: We have people who survived the great depression, World War II, lived through the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War.  There are people who were part of the hippie culture, the Cold War, and the rise of mass media.  Now we're all effected by the information age, the internet, the war on terror, and rising food and energy prices.  So can you imagine the many opinions on worship alone!  

 

So I encourage you to share your opinions on worship with me.  Many of you have done this and helped me refine the Sunday worship into a more Biblical and relevant experience.  Many of you have also done it in a God honoring way: you have been kind and compassionate when offering suggestions (Ephesians 4:29).   But also keep in mind that "rum raisin" may not be everyone's favorite flavor every week. :)  So feel free to drop me a line when you get a chance.

 

    God bless,

 

        Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Rd. 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

 

Office phone: (812) 858-5000

Cell phone:    (812) 449-3474

Fax:              (812) 858-5001

www.fccn.org

Pfoust@fccn.org

   

Worship Ministry Update: July 7

Christmas Musical 2008, on Network T.V.!

 

    The live performances at FCCN will be on Saturday night, December 13 and Sunday morning, December 14.  In addition, a recording this year's Christmas musical will be shown on Fox 7 on Christmas morning!  I'm very excited about being able to communicate the true meaning of Christmas to our community!  May God receive all honor and praise!

 

    I've begun picking the music for the 2008 Christmas Musical and I'm really excited about it!  You're going to love the music.  It will have lots of variety and quality.  Paul Morrision and I are getting together to put together the drama.  This year's musical will be a powerful drama.  Think "Lord of the Rings" with the Biblical Christmas text, and you'll have a good idea of what we're planning: huge sets, costumes, special effects, LIVE animals (we WILL have them this year).

 

    The Choir and orchestra will begin practice on Sunday night, September 7 from 6:00-7:30 P.M.  The drama will begin practicing around that time as well.  We'll also need lots of help with set construction, props, media, etc. Look out, FCCN worship ministry, it will be the biggest thing we've ever done!

 

I'm Looking for a Boat

 

    Yep, you read the title correctly, and it's not because we've had so much rain today. :)  I'm planning to memorize the entire book of Jonah and preach it on Sunday morning, Sept. 7 here at FCCN.  The preaching staff has given me the go ahead, and I'm thankful for the opportunity.  However, I won't be doing much "expository" work.  I'll just be communicating it word for word from the NIV text. 

 

    Here's where I need your help.  I am looking for a nice wooden boat to put on stage that day.  Attached is a picture of what I'm looking for. It needs to be quality, but wooden so it could pass for a boat from 780 B.C.

 

    Give me a shout if you or anyone you know might have one,

 

   

 

 

Praise Team practice this Week & Next Week

 

    Since the Warrick County Musical is practicing in the worship worship center for the next two weeks, praise team practice will be up in the high school room.  We'll meet at our normal time from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday (July 8 & 15).

 

   

Mentor and Equipper Ice Cream Buffet: Wednesday night, July 23 @ 6:30 P.M. @ Joe and Kendra Bradford's house, 5055 Landview Dr.
Newburgh, IN  47630.

 

    We talked about having it this Wednesday, but that's the evening of the church family meal here at FCCN, and when I'm practicing with the ladies for Amazing Things.  Man!  SOMEONE, a.k.a. "Phill" should look at his calendar more often!    

 

    As I said last week, all the mentors and equippers in the worship ministry are invited for ice-cream and a dip in the pool!  Bring the kids and we'll have a blast!  I'm not planning on having a "meeting" per se, unless any of you have anything you want to discuss with the entire group.  But I would like all 20 of us to get together for some fellowship.  It seems like the folks at FCCN are eating a lot of ice-cream nowadays, huh? :)

Value for the Month: Be Gracious with Criticism

 

James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

                                              

Sometimes criticism is constructive, but other times it is not.  So how do you know the difference between the two?

 

In his book The Heart of the Artist, Rory Noland writes: “You should listen to feedback, but you don’t have to take everything you hear as absolute truth.  ‘A simple man believes anything, but a prudent mane gives thought to his steps’ (Prov. 14:15).  This is especially important for those artists who find themselves in situations in which many people (sometimes too many people) are putting in their two cents’ worth” (164).

 

            Remember to ask God for a “wise a discerning spirit”(1 Kings 3:9). Also realize that over 1500 people, from varying backgrounds and ages, hear and see what we do every Sunday.  I’m sure there are a lot of different opinions out there. J

 

    God bless,

 

        Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Rd. 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

 

Office phone: (812) 858-5000

Cell phone:    (812) 449-3474

Fax:              (812) 858-5001

www.fccn.org

Pfoust@fccn.org