FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: Sept 28

This is the last email!  Please sign up at http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com/ if you want to hear any further ramblings from me. :)

 

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

 

    The 541 guys group will be performing this Saturday  at 2 events:  

 

            What: the "step out: walk to fight diabetes"

 

            Where: At the Swonders Ice Rink next to Robert's Stadium      

 

             When: 9:30-11:00 an hour and half!  Yikes!

 

          We'll also be singing at the FCCN health Fair this Saturday at noon in the dining room at FCCN.

      

Choir & Orchestra  leads worship this Sunday Morning!

 

     I'm looking forward to leading worship with all of you, and especially with the 1st-5th grade choir!  Remember to observe the dress code, park in the back, drop of the kiddos in the nursery and be in the worship center by 7:00 A.M.! 

 

       We'll also practice that evening at 6:00 P.M.  Here's what the evening will look like:

 

            6:00-6:10: opening prayer and value of the month

 

            6:10-6:35: Sectional practice: Orphans of God

 

            6:35-6:50: Choir in the chapel, orchestra and rhythm section stays on stage

 

            6:50-7:10: Everyone together in the worship center to practice "Orphans of God"

 

            7:10-7:30: Prayer Groups

 

Solos for the Christmas Musical

 

    We had lots of talented people try out for solos and lots of new voices as well!  Special thanks to the equippers for judging the auditions.  Many of the votes were really close (we're talking one or two points), so thanks to everyone who tried out.

 

    "A New Hallelujah" Soloist: Phill Foust

                            Understudy: Michele Rodriguez

 

    "God Speaking" Soloist: Louis Rose

                        Understudy: J.R. Holesinger

 

    "Christmas Makes Me Cry"    Male Soloist: Doug Minor

                                          Female Soloist: Julie Gorman

                                          Understudy: Alex Wilkinson

 

    "Christmastime" Soloist: Michele Rodriguez

                          Understudy: Todd Kuester

 

    "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" Soloist: Todd Kuester

                                                    Understudy: Joel Wisley

 

    "Coming Back to Life" Soloist: Bob Walters

                                 Understudy: Joel Wisley

 

    "Joseph Lullaby" Soloist: Jake Miller (I hope he does not get sick! No one else tried out :)

 

    "Orphans of God" Soloist: Jenny Wampler

                            Understudy: Paula Lemmer

 

    If you're an understudy: be ready to sing at a moment's notice.  In the Fall and Winter people can lose their voices very quickly.  

            

Value of the Month: " Thou Shall Not Covet"

 

    Exodus 20:17: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

 

    The immediate application for us is a warning against coveting anything that is not ours.  Not just someone else's house or spouse, but ANYTHING the belongs to our neighbor, including someone else' talent in the worship ministry.  God takes this very seriously.  Consider the 10 commandments: the root of all lying, murder, adultery and stealing is coveting.  It starts with the "I want that..." and ends badly.  Let's be thankful for the talents He has given us, and also thankful for the talents He has given others!

 

    God bless,

 

        Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Road 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

(812) 858-5000 ext. 208

Mobile: (812) 449-3474

www.fccn.org

 

 

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: Sept 21

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

 

    The 541 guys group will be performing this Saturday morning!  We'll be performing a few new songs too.

 

        What: the "Make a Joyful Noise" day of fellowship and musical performances to benefit the IMPACT Christian Health Center.

 

        When: This Saturday morning, September 26 from 10:25-10:45 (just a 20 minute set!)

 

        Where: The Turning Pointe UMC, 9800 Middle Mount Vernon Rd, Evansville, IN, 47712

 

Choir & Orchestra this Sunday night, September 27  at 6:00 P.M.!

 

    We had lots more people for our 2nd night of practice!  I hope to see more this Sunday night!     

 

    Remember, we'll have solo tryouts this Sunday afternoon in the chapel from 4:30-6:00 P.M. 

 

    We'll set the stage for Sunday morning worship at 5:00 P.M. in the worship center.  We'll be moving choir risers and setting up the orchestra pit, so we can use all the help we can get!

 

    The media team will join us at 6:00. 

 

        6:00-6:30: Opening prayer and practice for Sunday

 

        6:30-6:35 Value of the month, special guest speaker Ken McFelea!

 

        6:35-6:55 prayer groups

 

        6:55-7:30 finish practice

       

Value of the Month: "Matthew 18"

 

 ¹⁵"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

 

     Notice the flow of what happens right before verse 15: Jesus talks about the lost sheep, and how "in the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."  Directly after the Matthew 18 section, Jesus talks about forgiving your brother seventy-seven times.  Consider the love, grace and forgiveness that pervades this chapter!  THAT is the main idea of Matthew 18: forgiveness and love.  That should be our motivation and our main application of Jesus' words.

 

Classic Worship

 

    Please let me know if you would like to be involved in this service! (special music, worship leaders, piano players).  The response from the worship ministry has not been as overwhelming as I first thought, so we could use your help.  Email me and let me know if and how you would like to serve.

 

The End of an Era

 

     1 more week left!  I will only send the blog to http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com/ You will no longer get this email direct from me.  So if you want to continue to get the blogs, please sign up there by October 1.  So if you're reading this and it looks like a normal email, go sign up.  If this looks like a "blogspot" page from Google, you're good.

 

Random Blog Thought

 

    I enjoyed the "Phill obsessed with black" post on the FCCN worship ministry Facebook page.  You all are very creative. :)

 

    Jake is on vacation this week: he'll be back on Sunday.  It's lonely here in the office...

 

  Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Road 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

(812) 858-5000 ext. 208

Mobile: (812) 449-3474

www.fccn.org

 

 

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: Sept 17

I've got a couple things to share with you, I hope you don't mind another blog in the same week!

 

8:00 A.M. Classic Service, 9:15 & 10:45 Modern service starting November 1!

 

    I am very excited about the way FCCN will grow in number as a result adding the classic service.  I've asked Jake Miller to communicate the details:

 

We are pleased to announce that beginning November 1^st we will be starting our “classic” service.  The classic service will begin at 8 am in the Worship Center.  The worship style for the service will follow a more traditional pattern (i.e. fellowship, preaching, hymns, praise choruses, special music, and sacraments within a constant structure [with an emphasis on excellence in simplicity and restraint).  Then at 9:15 and 10:15 we will have two “modern” services.  The modern service will make use of more current worship compositions (with an emphasis on excellence in musicianship and variety) as well as an increase in the use of media, video, sound and lighting (both modern services will have the same programming ).

 

What this means for you all who are members of the Worship ministry is the opportunity to participate in our new service.  The first service will need piano players and worship leaders, as well as folks to perform special music.  Whoever is leading the classic service will be responsible to pick the hymns and traditional choruses and submit them to Phill (pfoust@fccn.org) at least 2 weeks in advanced to the service.  In order to do this, the worship leader will be provided with the sermon topic and any other related information about the morning’s theme.  Those performing special music will need to provide their own accompaniment track, a piano score that the accompanist can play, or charting for an acoustic guitar (within this service we are aiming for excellence in simplicity and restraint [i.e. there will be no full rhythm section arrangements in the classic service]).  The name and composer of the special music will also need to be submitted at least 2 weeks in advanced to the service.

 

Another thing that this means for those of you involved in the worship ministry is that we will have to move our Sunday morning sound check to a slightly earlier time.  (Drum roll please…) That time will be 6:45 am and we will have to be done by 7:45 am.  In essence, Sunday morning is simply a run-through, which means by the end of Tuesday night practice we will be prepared to go (no more not having words memorized on Sunday, the transitions will be set on Tuesday night, etc.).  We simply will not have the time to run through songs multiple times on Sunday mornings.  Also, we will no longer have prayer time on Tuesday nights, we will have it on Sunday mornings (since we are finished by 7:45, we will have an hour and fifteen minutes to cover the value of the month and pray).  Now for those of you who are involved with the classic service, you will have free reign to rehearse in the chapel while the modern service team is using the Worship Center, as well as anytime during the week that is convenient for those involved.  Whoever is performing special music for the classic service will have their sound check from 7:45-7:50.

 

The idea of having multiple services is based on the ultimate desire to see our church family grow.  The hope of the leadership of FCCN is an increase in numbers and worship in all services as a result of these changes.  That being said, within the worship ministry, there will be no divisiveness created between the participants in the separate services.  Those involved in the classic service will be expected to also participate in the modern service.   With that statute in place we hope to increase the unity within the worship ministry as well as the church, having the same people participate in both services.  Remember though, that your involvement is based upon your choice, so if you would prefer to only participate in one or the other service that is up to you.

 

That all said, if you would like to be involved in the classic service, do contact Phill a.s.a.p. and we will see where we can plug you in.

 

Wishing you a fine day!

 

Jake Miller

 

    I would like to echo Jake's last thought: I encourage you to be involved in this service, especially if you want to sing more special music (I know this is a deep desire for many of you), or you are interested in playing hymns and older choruses on the piano, or you would be interested in being a worship leader for this type of service.  Unless you have already played the piano or sang special music or been a worship leader, you'll have to audition with me.  I promise I'll make the audition as painless as possible. :)

 

    Please also understand that we will not need everyone in the worship ministry to be involved in this service.  There will be less people on stage because that's the essence of classic worship.  Simplicity is the key: piano player, worship leader, special music.  We'll sing "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name," "Great is Thy Faithfulness," "Holy, Holy, Holy," etc.  So if this type of worship is not your thing, please don't worry about it.  Remember what we talked about in August: you need to serve where your talent AND passion intersect for God's glory.

 

    I'll be putting the classic service schedule together in a few weeks.  You will be able to sing special music or play the piano on the same Sunday that you sing for the modern service, or a different Sunday if you prefer.  So please email me and let me know if and how many Sundays you would like to be involved.  I will be leading the first Classic service on November 1st, and occasionally throughout the year.  But most of the time we will have volunteer worship leaders leading the classic service.

 

    I recognize that the classic worship style (8:00 A.M.) is a major shift for us philosophically, and I'm very excited to see what God will do with His church as we move forward.  As you've probably noticed on Sundays, our modern service (9:15 & 10:45) will continue to move forward and progress as modern worship continues to evolve.

 

Sheet music combs and CD sleeves

 

    Since we're in a spending freeze right now, we're running out of the sheet music combs (those white spiral things that bind your sheet music together) and the sleeves for the CD's (those white things that incase the worship music CDs.)  Would you all try to start returning them after you are finished with them?  There is a box in the green room marked "combs," so if you would drop both the sleeves and the combs in there, I would appreciate it greatly!

Closing Shout Out...

 

    The "emergent" vocal team and band did a great job leading worship last Sunday.  I thought they did a great job learning and communicating the latest style of worship, and I had a blast serving with them.  God bless all of you! 

 

 

   Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Road 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

(812) 858-5000 ext. 208

Mobile: (812) 449-3474

www.fccn.org

 

 

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: Sept 14

Choir & Orchestra this Sunday night, September 20  at 6:00 P.M.!

 

    We had a great turnout, and we hope you'll join us this Sunday night!  We'll be working on "A New Hallelujah."  Here's how the evening will progress:

 

    6:00-6:10 opening prayer and value of the month! (Matthew 18)

 

    6:10-6:30 Sectional practice: "A New Hallelujah" (sopranos: room 215, basses: room 216, tenors: room 220, altos: chapel, orchestra & rhythm section: worship center

 

    6:30-6:50 Choir in the chapel, orchestra and rhythm section in the worship center

 

    6:50-7:10 Choir and orchestra together in the worship center: "A New Hallelujah."

 

    7:10-7:30 Prayer groups.

 

    I forgot to mention this last night: 20 minutes of each rehearsal is a prayer time: you'll meet with the same 8-10 folks each week, and they will ask "what is one thing we can pray for you about this week?"  You don't have to mention anything if you don't want to.  The only rule is that it's something for you: not your cousin who lives in Alabama or President Obama or the Chicago Bears (sorry, Louis, tough loss yesterday).  Then pray as a small group: you don't have to pray out loud unless you feel led.  This is probably one of the greatest blessings of the choir and orchestra ministry, so I look forward to starting that Sunday.

 

Christmas Musical Drama Tryouts: This Sunday afternoon, September 20 in the Chapel at 4:00 P.M.

 

    There are many acting opportunities in the Christmas musical this year, both speaking and non-speaking.  The speaking roles are only adult roles this year, but there are non-speaking roles for children and adults.  Let me know if you would like a copy of the script before the tryout and I'll send you a copy.

 

Value of the Month: "Matthew 18"

 

 ¹⁵"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

 

    I'd like to focus on verse 16 this week.  To be honest, in 9 of 10 situations, verse 15 is as far as it goes.  But in a few cases, we have to move to the second phase: "take one or two others along."  If you have an issue with someone else in the worship ministry, and you're at the second phase, I volunteer to go with you.  Not because I enjoy conflict, but because I care about you all and want God's best for you.  So please involve me in the process if you have to go the next phase.  I promise to do it in a loving and Christ like way.      

 

The End of an Era

 

    2 more weeks left!  In 2 weeks I will only send the blog to http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com/ You will no longer get this email direct from me.  So if you want to continue to get the blogs, please sign up there by October 1.  So if you're reading this and it looks like a normal email, go sign up.  If this looks like a "blogspot" page from Google, you're good.

 

Random Blog Thought

 

    How 'bout that volleyball match Saturday night?  All tied up one game each.  Special thanks to Will Schooler, couldn't have done it with you man.  The Foust/Lehman rivalry continues...

  Phill

 

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Road 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

(812) 858-5000 ext. 208

Mobile: (812) 449-3474

www.fccn.org

 

 

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: Sept 10

Worship Ministry Appreciation Picnic!  THIS Saturday evening  (September 12) ,  6:00 P.M. at Cleo and Carol Holder's house: 10690 SR 662 in Newburgh!

 

    Cleo called earlier in the week and said that you are all welcome to come by at 4:00.  We'll have volleyball, corn hole, etc.  We'll eat at 6:00.  Remember that the Holders will be providing the meat, I'll bring the drinks, you all bring the side dish, but the tenors bring the dessert. 

 

    This is a way to say thank you to all praise team singers, band, media team, choir, orchestra, sign choir, drama and their families!  I am so thankful for your service.  It's just a simple way to be a living example of Ephesians 4:29.   

 

    Also, we will FINALLY have the volleyball game between me and Scott Lehman!  Despite the suggestion at the Tuesday night practice, it will not be a one on one match.  So pick your side a be ready to play Saturday night. :) 

 

Choir & Orchestra begins Sunday night, September 13  at 6:00 P.M.!

 

     This Sunday night is it!  Lynn, Jake and I are feverously working on all of the sheet music today so it's ready by Sunday night!   

 

    Remember, we'll have choirs for Preschool-Kindergarten, 1st-5th grade, and the adult choir & orchestra for 8th grade through age 98!  No tryout is needed, just come out with your family that night!  There will also be programming for middle school, high school, adult Bible studies and small groups throughout the building.   

 

Christmas Musical Drama Tryouts: Sunday afternoon, September 20 in the Chapel at 4:00 P.M.

 

    There are many acting opportunities in the Christmas musical this year, both speaking and non-speaking.  The speaking roles are only adult roles this year, but there are nonspeaking roles for children and adults.  Let me know if you would like a copy of the script before the tryout and I'll send you a copy.

 

Value of the Month: "Matthew 18"

 

 ¹⁵"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

 

     Later today I actually have to "do a Matthew 18" with a friend.  To be honest, I'm dreading it.  It's hard, but I'm also commanded by Jesus to do it.  I have to remember that His words in Matthew 18 are not a suggestion, it is a command.  It also must be done in love.         

 

    Also notice that Jesus is talking about "a brother who sins against you."  So it refers to a fellow Christian (not unbelievers), and someone who sins against YOU.  We must be careful to take His words in context.  I have seen the Matthew 18 principle distorted and abused many times.  This "Matthew 18" conversation is only for a fellow believer, and it is only for someone who has directly sinned against you.  Others should only be involved after the one on one meeting has already taken place.

 

The End of an Era

 

     In 3 weeks, I will only send the blog to http://fccworshipministry.blogspot.com/ You will no longer get this email direct from me.  So if you want to continue to get the blogs, please sign up there by October 1.  My blogs will also be posted on the FCCN Worship Ministry Facebook page...

FCCN Worship Ministry Facebook Page

    We've had 16 posts on the October 4 !  Come on and join the fun.  It's free and easy to join. 

  Phill

Phill Foust

Minister of Worship

First Christian Church of Newburgh

4544 State Road 261

Newburgh, IN 47630

(812) 858-5000 ext. 208

Mobile: (812) 449-3474

www.fccn.org