Hey Choir,
Just a reminder that we don't have choir for the next two Sunday nights....however on Sunday night, September 11th, we will be having a community-wide memorial service at Goodlettsville Nazarene Church...they have asked that all of those wishing to participate in the choir to arrive at 4:30 for rehearsal, so I hope to see some of you there along with me and Crystal! I still wanted to give you some food for thought this week, even though we aren't practicing so enjoy!
Clean
When I worked camp one summer, we stayed at a college campus where I was fortunate enough to have a room to myself. A few door down from me were a couple of my fellow male staffers who never cleaned anything in their room. In fact, they were proud of the fact that you could walk past their room in the hallway and have to cover your nose and mouth. It was foul to the core!
One week, me and another staffer couldn't take it anymore. As soon as they had both left to start their day, we wrapped a towel across our face, ran into their room, opened their window, and propped it in place with a broom, hoping that a few days of airing out would remove the smell.
After a week or so, my team honored me as a hero, but soon the smell was back. My temporary solution wasn't sufficient to permanently remove the source of the stench.
Only Jesus can forgive us our sins. Only He can get to the source of our sinful stench and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Thank You, Jesus, for Your cleansing forgiveness!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Practice Notes for August 28th
Hey Choir,
Welcome to Choir Notes...this is where I'll post what we'll be working on at our upcoming practice so you'll know what to expect and what to bring! Also I'll be including a weekly devotion/thought to keep us all grounded in why we do this thing called "worship"! Make sure to check back each Wednesday for an update!
Practice Schedule for August 28th
Hands of the Healer - Anthem
Hail to the King - Anthem
Celebrate the Day - Christmas Collection
We'll see you Sunday afternoon at 5:00 in the sanctuary! But don't stop yet....keep reading for this week's thought!
Church Business Meeting
Several years ago, I attended a knock down, drag out, nail biting, back biting, pull out all the stops, bring your own bullet proof vest church business meeting. Personal complaints were verbalized which prompted vicious rebuttals. People pointed fingers, assigned blame, and even cursed! Even those called upon to pray had the audacity to complain about specific individuals in their prayers. I went home that night extremely discouraged and seriously considered walking away from my call to ministry altogether.
There's a fine line between constructive criticism and critical complaints. As followers of Jesus, we must remember that we are His representatives. When we openly spread negative comments about fellow believers, we are damaging the validity of our own testimony while demeaning the value of their Christian witness and ministry
"Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged" - James 5:9
"When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints." - Samuel Johnson
So you're thinking.....um.....how is this relevant to choir. It's just a reminder that sometimes we may not always sing a song in our own personal choice of style. Maybe we think a song is too fast or too slow, too repetitive or too outdated, too loud or too boring.....it's in these moments that we must stop and remember why we sing in the first place....to glorify God. We don't sing to benefit ourselves (and if we do, we're really in trouble), but rather we sing to proclaim the name of Jesus to those that will listen! God works through hymns and praise choruses....he works through praise bands and southern gospel quartets.....he works through women's trios and through senior adult choirs......he works through pre-school moving songs and through an orchestral piece. The bottom line is God is big and uses ALL of HIS musical creation to sing His praises.....we just get to hang on and enjoy the ride!
See ya Sunday night,
Jeff
Welcome to Choir Notes...this is where I'll post what we'll be working on at our upcoming practice so you'll know what to expect and what to bring! Also I'll be including a weekly devotion/thought to keep us all grounded in why we do this thing called "worship"! Make sure to check back each Wednesday for an update!
Practice Schedule for August 28th
Hands of the Healer - Anthem
Hail to the King - Anthem
Celebrate the Day - Christmas Collection
We'll see you Sunday afternoon at 5:00 in the sanctuary! But don't stop yet....keep reading for this week's thought!
Church Business Meeting
Several years ago, I attended a knock down, drag out, nail biting, back biting, pull out all the stops, bring your own bullet proof vest church business meeting. Personal complaints were verbalized which prompted vicious rebuttals. People pointed fingers, assigned blame, and even cursed! Even those called upon to pray had the audacity to complain about specific individuals in their prayers. I went home that night extremely discouraged and seriously considered walking away from my call to ministry altogether.
There's a fine line between constructive criticism and critical complaints. As followers of Jesus, we must remember that we are His representatives. When we openly spread negative comments about fellow believers, we are damaging the validity of our own testimony while demeaning the value of their Christian witness and ministry
"Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged" - James 5:9
"When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints." - Samuel Johnson
So you're thinking.....um.....how is this relevant to choir. It's just a reminder that sometimes we may not always sing a song in our own personal choice of style. Maybe we think a song is too fast or too slow, too repetitive or too outdated, too loud or too boring.....it's in these moments that we must stop and remember why we sing in the first place....to glorify God. We don't sing to benefit ourselves (and if we do, we're really in trouble), but rather we sing to proclaim the name of Jesus to those that will listen! God works through hymns and praise choruses....he works through praise bands and southern gospel quartets.....he works through women's trios and through senior adult choirs......he works through pre-school moving songs and through an orchestral piece. The bottom line is God is big and uses ALL of HIS musical creation to sing His praises.....we just get to hang on and enjoy the ride!
See ya Sunday night,
Jeff
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