Go Deeper - Authentic

Jeremiah 18:1 – 2

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.”

Jeremiah 18:1 – 2

 

I must confess I’m proud – not in the bad way, mind you. I’m proud of everyone who serves in CAM. Last Sunday we changed our schedule. Not significantly. It was only 15 minutes. The hard part was that this 15 minutes was on a Sunday – and not later, but earlier. It means that some of our technical staff was here from 7:15am till nearly 1:00pm…it means our Praise Band showed up before 8:00. It means the choir was here by 8:20.

 

And here’s the reason I’m proud – not only was everyone on time…you were early! Thank you so much. Maybe you know and maybe you don’t – but what a difference 15 minutes makes!?

 

Last week I was reading in Jeremiah and I came across a verse that talks about this. It’s Jeremiah 18:1 – 2, you can read the text of the verse up above. What struck me about this verse was that God told Jeremiah to get up and go somewhere, then God would speak to him. God’s God, right? He can speak to whom He wants, when He wants, they way He wants, right!? Why make Jeremiah go someplace specific before God would say what needs to be said? As you read the rest of the passage you discover that God not only wanted to tell Jeremiah something, He also wanted to show him. God could have just said what needed to be said, but He had something specific in mind not only for Jeremiah to hear, but also something for him to see – not only for him to see, but also something for him to do. This was Jeremiah’s 15 minutes. And this is what God has done for those of us who serve in CAM.

 

What do those 15 minutes really mean?

Þ      It means INTENSITY without ANXIETY.

Þ      It means FOCUS without FEAR.

Þ      It means CLARITY without CONFUSSION.

 

It means we have the time to ‘turn the corner’ and focus our hearts and minds beyond the task. It means we are now in the place where God will show us something incredible, tell us something amazing and do in us and through something wonderful.

 

What a difference 15 minutes makes!

 

Thanks for serving well. Thanks for the 15 minutes. I’m looking forward to coming with you this Wednesday and Sunday to the place where God will cause us to hear His Words.

 

Love y’all, God Bless,

CHAD

 

Jeremiah 18:1 – 2

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.”

Notes to Notice

Opening Day – Character Auditions

It’s coming faster than we think; the beginning of a new school year, a new semester and a new season for everyone involved in CAM. Wednesday, August 30^th at 6:30pm we’ll unveil plans for the new semester, including Christmas, meet new CAM leadership, introduce ourselves to new CAM members and discover what it means to be involved this season in CAM. Bring someone with you and let’s make this the best season in the life of our church yet!

 

Making Contact

We all know someone who has been involved in CAM in the past, but has taken some time away – perhaps for summer vacations or to serve in another area of ministry. This week, take a look around and notice who’s here and who’s not. Then in the next several weeks begin inviting them back to CAM. We’ve all been given gifts, talents and resources – let’s fulfill our calling in the area of ministry God has given us to serve and let’s encourage our friends and family to do the same!

 

FarPoint Weekend

Every week in churches everywhere volunteers come together to plan, prepare, and present the gospel in a way that is clear, creative, concise and compelling. These are the volunteers who make our services work. theFarPoint Weekend is a time of encouragement and equipping specifically designed with YOU in mind!

 

September 15^th & 16^th churches from all over the metro will come to FBCO to discover how we do what we do! The Christian Arts Ministry of FBCO will lead them in a time of encouragement and equipping. Plan to now to impact leaders from across Green Country by leading out this year at FarPoint Weekend!

 

For more details visit, www.thefarpoint.org – Registration online is for people OUTSIDE FBCO – we’ll begin FBOC registration in August. Your only cost will be $10…for the concert, Friday night & lunch on Saturday.

 

Praise Team Auditions

No really – I’m going to announce new Praise Teams…I promise… J The New Praise Teams will begin this SEPTEMBER. Every one who auditioned for Praise Teams did a great job! Thanks for trying out! Be watching here in the weeks to come for details what Praise Teams this fall will look like!

 

Logistics

At www.fbcowasso.org you can now click FBCO RESOURCES – then select Christian Arts Ministry. Under that heading you will find several categories – under Order of Service & Support Files you will find the order of service for this week and in the other categories you will find the music charts that go along with the songs in the Order of Service. Mostly this is Praise Band music, but some of these charts include Instrumental Ensemble music and ALL of them include VOCALS – hopefully this can be a resource for us all in the coming days!

 

NEW SCHEDULE REMINDER

Here are the CALL TIMES for this SUNDAY AM – Remember, ON TIME = EARLY | EARLY = READY and from 8:30 – 8:50 we’ll clear the platform and all meet in Fellowship Hall for a light, continental style breakfast and for last minute instructions, prayer & consecration. I look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

Þ       7:15am   TECH PREP

Þ       7:30       Drama Sound Check and Rehearse

Þ       7:45       Praise Band Sound Check

Þ       8:00       Instrumental Ensemble

Þ       8:15       Special Music

Þ       8:20       Celebration Choir

Þ       8:30       Stage Clear, Doors Open, Background Music & Announcements Run

Þ       8:50       Countdown begins

Þ       8:55       Prelude – Live, instrumental, congregational or choir…

Þ       9:00       Service Begins

 

Listen to THIS Sunday’s Choir Special – (this is not exactly the arrangement we sing…but it’s close! J)

·         You Are the Love of My Life – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/love.mp3

 

Listen to Upcoming Choir Specials

·         Let the Praises Ring – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/praises.mp3

·         You Will Be Our God – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/YouWillBe.mp3

·         Hallelujah – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/hallelujah.mp3

·         BONUS – Mighty is the Power of the Cross (not choir) – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/power.mp3

·         BONUS – Show Me the Way (not choir, just fun) – www.thefarpoint.org/MUSIC/show.mp3

·         Your Name – won’t download due to licensing.

·         Because of Who You Are – won’t download due to licensing.

 

Get a FULL CD of all this music as well as Christmas Music, Wednesday August 30th at OPENING DAY!

 

Have you discovered iTunes?

·         www.itunes.com

·         iTunes is available for FREE online – it’s both a ‘digital juke box’ and an online music store. You can download individual songs, usually for .99 cents each or entire albums for less than what it would cost to go buy the CD.

·         Try it out – do a search at iTunes for Israel Houghton or Chris Tomlin and find many of the songs we sing as a choir or congregation!