Tags: Pearls Before Swine
(Check out other Sunday Setlists at TheWorshipCommunity.com)
Happy Monday to you.
We had a lovely service yesterday. We heard from Dr. Mike Cobb. He’s an orthopedic surgeon from Jackson TN and we helped financially to send him to Haiti after the quake. He went down there with Mobile Medical Disaster Relief, I’m very impressed with the work they’re doing.
Our worship set:
How Great Thou Art (Stuart Hine) - We do the excellent Paul Baloche arrangement from his “Our God Saves” project.
Everlasting God (Brenton Brown / Ken Riley) - Pretty straightforward use of the Chris Tomlin arrangement.
How He Loves (John Mark McMillan) - First time our congregation has sung it (we used it in worship last week, but they listened only). And yes, we did use the Crowder rewrite of the original lyrics. There’s some churches that would be able to sing “sloppy wet kiss” and not be distracted by it. Ours ain’t one of them.
Mighty To Save (Ben Fielding / Reuben Morgan) - Amazingly, the first time we’ve led this at Fellowship. Our youth praise band has done it numerous times.
Let The Praises Ring (Lincoln Brewster) - One of my faves by Mr. Brewster.
How was your Sunday?
Tags: Sunday Setlists
Pretty interesting Sunday.
And, as Forrest Gump would say, that’s all I’m going to say about that.
So, let’s move on to the songs, shall we?
A New Hallelujah (Paul Baloche, Debbie Smith, Michael W. Smith) - We taught this last week for our Missions Conference. Brought it back to solidify it for the congregation. I like it.
Arise (Paul Baloche, Don Moen) - The chorus of the previous song being “let the church arise”, we thought lyrically this would be nice following.
How He Loves (John Mark McMillan) - Debut of this song at Fellowship. We stayed pretty close to the David Crowder*Band arrangement from their “Church Music” project. Sarah sang the verse and bridge as a solo, and the congregation sang along on the choruses. We got lots of very positive comments about the song, and we’ll bring it back next Sunday.
Enough (Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin) - An oldie, but a goodie (as they say).
How was your Sunday?
Wow, what a day.
We started with a beautiful Eucharist service led by Audrey, Matt, and Ian. There is something about liturgy that is so beautiful. We probably need to do liturgy more in our services. I know I’d love to see it used from time to time at Fellowship.
We had a surprise visit from Matt Papa, singing his beautiful “Open Hands”.
Stephen Mansfield, the author of “The Faith Of George W. Bush”, “The Faith Of Barack Obama”, and his most recent “The Search For God And Guiness” gave a fantastic talk on the relationship between pastors and worship leaders. Great stuff.
Concerts from country artist Bryan White, and Leeland (Leeland Mooring on guitar and Jack Mooring on bass, sans band. Very cool.)
A few words from Jars Of Clay (they’ll be playing tomorow night), and a film festival (the winner got a trip for 2 to Sundance!)
Tonight, we went to a local church to hear artists from the EMI songwriters “in the round”.
There’s supposed to be some big surprises in the morning. Can’t wait!
Bryan White bringin' the country...
Leeland
Ready to go to bed after a long day.
Worship with Audrey Assad, Matt Maher, and Ian Morgan Cron.
The debut of One Sonic Society (featuring some musicians formerly of Delirious) and more music from Seattle’s Brandon Bee.
A great talk from Randy Elrod on his new book “Sex, Lies & Religion” (read my review here).
Music tonight from Pocket Full Of Rocks, and some singer/songwriters from Word Music.
The highlight of the day? A special reunion show by Big Tent Revival.
The boys can still rock the house…
We’re in Nashville (we meaning me, Anna, and Sarah. Ridge came along as well).
Last night we ate at Puckett’s Grocery in Franklin TN, followed by some music from Amy Grant. Not too shabby.
Lots on the agenda as the conference begins its first day…
Tags: re:create
“Have you ever had an experience with God that was so amazing it exceeded your wildest and most fulfilling sexual moment?” - Randy Elrod, “Sex, Lies & Religion”
This is the intriguing question that serves as a springboard for this book. And for many, it’s sure to be an uncomfortable one. It was for me. But why? Is it because the question is wrong, and shouldn’t be asked? Or is it because I’m viewing the question through a lens distorted by false teaching and my own history? I don’t completely have the answer. But I’m a lot closer to the answer after reading Randy’s book.
The book is divided into three clear sections, and I found myself on an eye-opening journey as I read through them.
Part 1 (religion) is a brief yet extremely well-written and instructive look at how religion has handled sexuality in the past. I enjoy history and theology, and Randy had me hooked by the time I finished it. I was ready to read on.
Part 2 (lies) looks at nudity, beauty, self-pleasure, sexual fantasy, and sexual equality. As I continued through this section, it became squirm-inducing at times. And I was compelled to ask why, and dig deeper.
Part 3 (truth) offers a theology of sexuality that is both fascinating and affirming. I especially appreciated Randy using the “fruit of the spirit” from Galatians 5 as the underlying framework for this sacred sexuality. There are also insightful chapters on the sacramental nature of sex, and the “immortal longings” that are deep inside each one of us. It was worth getting through the squirms of part 2 to get to the redemption of part 3.
I’m planning on re-reading this book a few more times, so I can continue to ask myself these important questions. Randy writes that he wanted this book to be a conversation starter, not a “how to” manual or theological treatise. It’s certainly started a good conversation in my own heart…one I plan to continue with my Creator, as well as those close to me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from cre:ate 2.0 Publishing to read and post a review on my site. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tags: Randy Elrod, sex lies & religion
It’s time for a ctrl-alt-delete of the blog.
I’ve been neglecting said blog for awhile. No good reason.
I like the discipline of writing, so I guess I’ve become undisciplined. As I often do in life.
So, I’ve nuked a lot of stuff off the sidebars, and I’m starting over. New year, new posts, new blogroll, etc.
I’ll try to post more regularly, and also post about things that matter from time to time.
Although…if the Muppets put out another awesome video, I WILL show you.
Do you have a blog that I should be reading? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll put you on the blogroll and add you to my RSS reader.
Coming on Monday: a pre-release review of “Sex, Lies & Religion“, a new book by Randy Elrod.
I’ll also be writing some posts next week from the re:create conference in Nashville. Should be a blast.
Let’s talk!
Tags: blog, Bloggage, Blogroll, Cries Of The Heart, Paul Joseph
(This post is part of the Sunday Setlist blog carnival)
Great service yesterday, and very unusual.
Unusual in that our pastor’s son, Josh, presented the entire book of Hebrews…
FROM MEMORY. Think about THAT.
We opened with a new song during our five-minute countdown, We Shine by Fee. It’s a lot of fun to play, and our new children’s Sunday school is using it for their worship…so we’re going to add it to our rotation.
Then we worshiped with:
Everything That Has Breath (Reuben Morgan)
Today Is The Day (Paul Baloche / Lincoln Brewster)
Great Is Your Glory (Vicky Beeching / Ed Cash)
Sing To The King (Billy Foote)
Then after the usual announcements and brouhaha, we turned it over to Josh.
There’s something about hearing Scripture live. There were parts of Hebrews that I’ve read over and over and yesterday they came to life for the first time.
This week, we’ll be doing our “Open Mic” Thanksgiving service.
How was your Sunday?
