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!
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
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