I walked away from worship today (November 11) feeling really good about the entire experience.
I had made the decision to divide the sermon into six parts and present them throughout the service. The reason for the decision was a fear that presenting all the spiritual pathway material at once would drag along and get painful. I thought the way we did it worked surprisingly well. I did hear from a choir member that the first two points were hard for the choir to get since they were sitting behind me-something we will work on if we split a sermon up like that again. What did you think?
My hope is that most people got the point about spiritual pathways- don’t limit others by your experience and don’t be limited by others’ experience. God has created us uniquely and our approach to Him flows naturally if we approach Him in the way He created us. Were the pathways presented well? Did you get it? Was is worth three Sundays?
The choir number was so cool. I hope folks enjoyed it. The only thing I would suggest is that we move the people playing instruments out so that they can be seen. Personal quirk- I enjoy watching instruments played almost as much as I enjoy the music.
The offertory was wonderful. The use of slides along with the song was moving. John Patrick was subbing in the booth and did a great job moving the slides along at just the right moment- a task that is harder than it looks.
The children’s sermon was so much fun. We have a great group of kiddoes and Ruth Ann knows how to speak their language.
Ivan, we will miss you. I hope we didn’t embarrass you too much, but it was important to honor you for all you have meant to this church.
I think it is so cool of this congregation to give us permission to try “new things” and do worship in different ways as it is deemed necessary. So great to have the freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to work, rather than to be caught up in some ritualistic dogmatic pattern.
Thanks for your kind words about the choir. I’m so proud of each of them. For a smaller group of singers, they are mighty in sound and energy. The percussion people were fabulous on Sunday.
I know what you mean about the “seeing the instruments”…we did what we did to accommodate a balance and sound situation.
And YEAH JOHN and BARB…..you both did such a fabulous job in making worship run smoothly on Sunday. Thanks so much for your efforts and for making it go so wonderfully.
I’m so encouraged by what’s been taught on Sunday, Steve. Looking forward to the “culminating” lesson this Sunday. To have permission to experience God in manner He has designed us is a tremendous gift. I feel closer to Him because of this realization – and the freedom, in the words of Marlo Thomas “to be You and Me.” It is a great gift.
And Judi on Sunday…..wow……what an incredible experience the music and power point was! Thanks for making that happen. It was a highlight for me with one of my favorite songs.
I’m looking forward to this next worship….and to seeing how God works through all this!
Steve,
I thought that taking the assesment two Sunday’s ago during the sermon time was reveiced well by some and not received well by others. It is not something we are accustomed to and it is not a natural thing. I enjoyed doing it, but I noticed some murmurring from others. I think it is good to evaluate ourselves and see how we can stretch ourselves. Stretching ourselves and being open to our pathways as well as being cognizant of other pathways will help us understand each other better and create a greater sense of unity. I also think that one of the things the sermon showed me was that I need to undersand that my way isn’t best, it is just my way and I need to not judge others who don’t share my particular pathway.
I liked how we moved through the service on Sunday. I am sure it threw a few people off, but it was neat to break it up into sections and spread the other elements of the service throughout.
Mike,
I think that the choir number was great. I feel like Steve does in that being able to see the people playing instruments would be nice, but I understand the reasoning for having the instruments behind the singers.
I loved the use of the powerpoint to go along with the song Judi sang. I am a very visual person and that greatly magnified the message of the song. I hope we do more of that type of thing.