FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: November 21

New run through practice time on Sunday mornings!

Beginning January 1, our run through time on Sunday mornings will be at 7:30 A.M. (no more 6:45 A.M., hallelujah!). We'll run through the service from 7:30-8:30. Then pray and have our Bible study in the green room from 8:30-9:00.

I want to thank you all for your maturity during the last few years: we had to practice at a very early time. You all did not complain, you just did what needed to be done. I hold you in high regard! It's a pleasure to serve with you. It will also be a pleasure to see you at 7:30 A.M. as well :)

Christmas Musical Schedule

Sunday night, November 27 at 6:00 P.M. Set the stage for the musical (set up risers, pull out the orchestra pit, decorate trees, etc.). (no childcare provided)

Monday night, Nov, 28 at 6:00 P.M. Tech rehearsal (all soloists, rhythm section, media team) (no childcare provided)

Wednesday night, Nov. 30 at 6:00 P.M. Dress Rehearsal (all participants, childcare provided)

Friday night, Dec. 2 at 6:00 P.M. Dress Rehearsal (all participants, childcare provided)

Saturday night, Dec. 3: call time 6:00 P.M. in the chapel, musical at 7:00 P.M.

Sunday morning, Dec. 4: call time at 8:30 A.M. in the worship center, musical at 9:15 & 10:45 A.M.

Sunday night, Dec. 4: Musical cast party at Mike and Wanda Collins' house.

1st draft of Dec. 11 Modern

God is with us, Immanuel!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hIzJ-9VagzB3a7xz0jpHVMlFGgPvT_ZEWbm35GRUEEs/edit

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: November 15

Choir/Orchestra/Rhythm Section Practice: This Sunday
Night

It's our last Sunday night practice! Luau night! Here's how we'll do it:

6:00 Opening prayer, video and value of the month

6:05 Prayer groups, orchestra practice in conference room

6:25 Run through all music for the musical, elementary choir joins us at 7:00.

Christmas Musical: Christmas Love Stockings

It will be Saturday night, Dec. 3 at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday morning, Dec. 4 at 9:15 & 10:45. We'll have invite cards available at the welcome center. You can also invite through Facebook by clicking here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=115763258514560

Media Team at Sweet CeCe's

Sweet CeCe’s FundraiserThe Media Team is having a fundraiser at Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats on November 15 from 11 a.m. until closing. 10 percent of all sales during that time will go to the Media Team to be used to upgrade our wireless network at FCC so that we have coverage in all areas of the building for our members and guests to use. Sweet CeCe’s offers great tasting frozen yogurt and toppings in a variety of flavors and is located on High Pointe Drive in front of the Newburgh Wal-Mart. Mention First Christian Church to the cashier and enjoy a tasty treat while supporting the Media Team.

Value of the Month: Memorization

I had to memorize a very wordy song last Sunday: "Forever Reign." Here's the 2nd verse:

You are peace, You are peace when my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true, even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy, You're the reason that I sing

You are life, You are life, even death has lost its sting

Wow, that's a lot! Memorization experts will say that you need to come up with a crazy mental picture to memorize something like that. The crazier the better. So here was mine, picture this:

Paul Peirce (nicknamed "the truth") dressed in a 70's tie die shirt, bell bottoms and a peace symbol, overjoyed about winning the NBA championship while eating a bowl a Life Cereal while the pro wrestler "Sting" is about to hit him with a chair shot.

That picture helped me remember "peace" (tiedie), "true" (Paul Pierce), "joy" (winning the championship), "life" (cereal), "and death has lost it's 'Sting'" (my favorite WCW wrestler).

Yeah, right now you're saying "wow Phill, you need help. What's it like in that brain of yours?" Well, I'll admit it's a scary place sometimes, but that little trick worked! I was able to sing the entire song with confidence . If I need to memorize a list of words, that's the best way for me to do it, and it worked for Sunday.

Here's the kicker: having all of the words memorized helps you have a much better time on stage. You can focus on God and let Him speak to you. And because I had my words memorized, it allowed God to speak clearly on Sunday morning. That was important last Sunday, because last week something happen that really brought me down: I had a big disappointment. Honestly, it still hurts thinking about it now. But God was able to minister to me through those very words: "God is peace when my fear is crippling, God is true even in my wandering."

So I encourage you to have your words memorized. Why? Because when you've got them automatic, God can speak to your heart, instead of you worrying about "what's that next word?

FCCN Worship Ministry Blog: November 1

New Worship Songs for 2012

I'm listening to new worship songs for 2012.  Let me know if you have any ideas.  A Youtube link would be most helpful. :)

Worship Choir, Elementary Choir and Rhythm Section leads worship this Sunday!

We'll warm up at 8:45 in the chapel.  Elementary choir kiddos get dropped off in the elementary big room.  Our volunteers will lead them on stage and safely back to the elementary big room after they sing.

Here's the link to the worship flow if you want to take a look at it:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IMIeWcUTpEjIwlu6J7ulDkuuBhQzLt60mnZNc7z1zb0/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1#

Choir Practice Sunday This Sunday Night

It's basketball night!

6:00-6:05 Opening Prayer and the world's farthest basketball shot:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz6gFokvOr0

6:05 Practice every song! :)

6:30 What do you do in 2 minutes? (Doug Minor)

6:32 Prayer Groups

6:52 Practice "Shine on Us" with Hannah Lehman

7:00 Practice with Elementary Choir

7:20 We'll finish early so we can re  set the stage for the next Sunday.  You can help if you want, or go home early! :)

Value of the Month: Memorization

I memorize all of our music every Sunday, unless I'm playing a song on the piano.  It's simple, I just run through it every day.  Repetition helps me a lot.  Although it's probably the most important part of memorization, it will only take you so far.  Here's another idea:

Move.  While you're memorizing chords or words, take a walk, move around the room, go to the Angel Mounds with me.  Those endorphins will kick in, and you'll have a much easier time memorizing than if you stay seated.