Michael's Notes - Thoughts On Worship, Leadership & Fitness

A Fish Story

2009-12-09T14:18:39-06:00

A little boy, 5 years old, was fishing with his older cousins; everyone had caught a fish but him. That’s when he drop to his knees and loudly pleaded to God to let him catch a fish. He then stood up and put his line back in the water. He got a bite and when he pulled the line out of the water he had caught the biggest fish of the day.

I don’t know if the prayer of the boy had anything to do with him catching the largest fish of the day. I do know that it can be a reminder of the importance of prayer and yes talking to God even about the trivial.

“Let me have the simple faith like a child, willing to crawl up in the Father’s lap and just talk.”

Oh and about the story of the fish…it is true…it was my son who dropped to knees.

Yesterday At ClearView

2009-12-07T11:38:22-06:00

I have decided to join a group of worship leaders and worshippers who blog about what took place in their worship services each week. The series of blogs or blog carnival is titled "Sunday Setlists" and can be found at FredMcKinnon.com. You can find other posts here:
ClearView Baptist centers on five core values:
    God’s Word
    Passionate Worship
    Prayer
    Transformed Lives
    Missions
All of these take their place in our worship services, however three see more prominence on a weekly basis: God’s Word, Passionate Worship and Prayer.

This week we continued in our series called “Origins” which is an in-depth look at the first 11 chapters of Genesis. The theme for each week is generated from the verse by verse study.

Yes this is the Christmas season but we chose not to completely make it about the Christmas Season. There were a few hints however. Here is how it went:

Pre-service:
    Started a few minutes early and introduced the first song, singing the chorus once and then asking the congregation to sing it once.

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11


Song Set 1
        Offering by Paul Baloche

Prayer

Song (as ending to prayer)
O Come All Ye Faithfull (just the chorus), no instruments

Parent Child Dedication
    It is our tradition to include Parent/Child Dedication in two of our weekend services each year, one in December and Mother’s Day.

Welcome
    Today this works as a transition to move the families off stage who participated in the parent/child dedication.

Song Set 2
    None But You

Scripture: Luke 2: 12-14
    Glory In the Highest (we choose to have the worship choir lead out in one song most weeks, yesterday it was this song)

(same key as last song so there was no intro just vocals beginning, band jumped entered measure four)
    Mighty To Save

Sermon Intro (a video created for each series, this takes 45 seconds which is the time we need to make a technology change in a second venue on our campus.) This video was produced by one of our church members, John Magyar.

Sermon
Genesis 8 ...Forgotten?

God remembers me
- When God remembers, He is taking action on His promises
- Often, when God is silent, He is bringing us into a situation where He makes all things new.
- Sometimes God must destroy the old before He can remake the new.
In response to God’s faithfulness, I must remember God
- Remember God by waiting patiently for His timing
- Remember God by going when He says ‘go’
- - Psalm 104:5-9
- Remember God through repentance and total commitment
- - Romans 2:4

Preparing for Worship, a promised gift received.

2009-12-05T16:43:59-06:00

Tomorrow is the second Sunday of Advent. In the tradition where I worship Advent is not given emphasis in corporate worship other than the casual mention. In case you are reading this post here and don’t know the meaning of Advent here it is:

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.

You can see it in the eyes of children, they are waiting. The anticipation is about to get the best of them. The days of December seem to travel in slow motion. Now can we imagine the years of waiting the people of Israel endured waiting for their Messiah. During this 2009 Advent season we do not have to wait for the Messiah, we now are remembering the events that brought the gift of promise.

Today as I finish my preparation for tomorrow’s worship services I don’t have to wonder if a Savior will be sent from God;He is here “Emmanuel.” The promised gift is a reality. How are you preparing for worship tomorrow? How are you personally reflecting during this Advent season?

What Worship Songs are Acceptable for the Congregation to Sing?

2009-12-04T09:35:16-06:00

All styles are acceptable if: