Church Today
Today, the children of the congregation performed a heart-warming musical at our 11:00 service: Celebrate the Celebration (Based on Lisa Welchel's book, The ADVENTure of Christmas.) What a blessing to see the children singing praises to God, and bringing the gift of joy to the grown-ups. Holly Luedke did a fantastic job directing, and we had a full house.
Our theme for the first two services was "Pure, Unbounded Love." I preached on 1 Corinthians 13 -- just going verse by verse through the chapter, and expounding on it in practical, everyday terms. (Love is not just something that you feel -- it's something that you DO!)
My son, Ryan, and the youth group praise team led the worship music this morning. It was really good. Ryan's developing into a fine worship leader. I think he will be a worship pastor somewhere someday. I'm glad I bought him the Ovation!
We sang, "Blessed Be Your Name", "You Love is Amazing", "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", and "Your Love, O Lord."
Barry Bubb lit the advent candle and shared about his recent experience in Guatemala. "They're the most loving people you'll ever meet." he noted.
Then, an ensemble led us in Charles Wesley's classic, "Love Divine, All Love's Excelling."
Before the sermon, we recited together a 1000 old prayer by Anselm.
I love blending the new and old together into a worship service. Well over 700 people came today, and there was a beautiful spirit throughout the morning.
This afternoon, my body is tired, but my spirit is refreshed! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Our theme for the first two services was "Pure, Unbounded Love." I preached on 1 Corinthians 13 -- just going verse by verse through the chapter, and expounding on it in practical, everyday terms. (Love is not just something that you feel -- it's something that you DO!)
My son, Ryan, and the youth group praise team led the worship music this morning. It was really good. Ryan's developing into a fine worship leader. I think he will be a worship pastor somewhere someday. I'm glad I bought him the Ovation!
We sang, "Blessed Be Your Name", "You Love is Amazing", "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", and "Your Love, O Lord."
Barry Bubb lit the advent candle and shared about his recent experience in Guatemala. "They're the most loving people you'll ever meet." he noted.
Then, an ensemble led us in Charles Wesley's classic, "Love Divine, All Love's Excelling."
Before the sermon, we recited together a 1000 old prayer by Anselm.
I love blending the new and old together into a worship service. Well over 700 people came today, and there was a beautiful spirit throughout the morning.
This afternoon, my body is tired, but my spirit is refreshed! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
ABSOLUTELY! Love in action. I want to see people (including pastors and church leaders) "walk the walk, not just talk the talk."
ReplyDeleteYesterday our church sponsered a performance by John LeMasters of Blacksburg, VA. A 35 minute one-man enactment of an Inn Keeper's talk with the stranger named Gabriel. It happened on the eve of Christ's birth and with a beautiful stage setting and authentic props John gave the Christmas Story a new twist that really touched everyone's heart. It ended with the in keeper holding the baby Jesus and telling the baby if He ever needed a place to rest His weary head just count on him...Joseph of Armetheia.
ReplyDeleteRich Nedrow Huntington, WV