Authentic — Gestalt, a.k.a. Back in the Saddle

Tonight’s the night! We get back in
the saddle for the Summer Semester. It’s going to be great! Dancing bears,
exploding pianos, and a dueling pie fight to the death with Video vs. the Audio
guys! Okay…so maybe none of that’s really going on tonight, but what will
happen will be even more exciting and definitely more important. We’ll prepare
for worship.

Preparing for worship is both a
matter of practice and an issue of the heart. I hope you come tonight ready to
connect with God and with each other in a way that get’s us ready to lead the
people of our church directly into His throne room this Sunday!

Tonight we’ll work on ‘This is America’,
a song we’ve sung a couple of times before and that we’ll reprise for this
Sunday AM. Then next Wednesday we’ll be off for the 4^th of July and
finally back in the saddle on July 11^th. What a crazy schedule! I
hope you’ve made the most of these few weeks away from rehearsals on Wednesday
night and I hope you plan to be back tonight and in the following weeks.

Every Sunday God uses you to impact
the people of our church. Whether you sing in the Choir, on a Praise Team, play
an instrument or do something behind the scenes, when you’re not there the
people of our church notice and the nature of our service changes. In German
there is a word for this. It’s GESTALT. A gestalt is what happens when two
small things combine to make something greater than the sum of its parts. Not
to go too scientific on you, but a gestalt happens when two hydrogen atoms
collide in a process called fusion. The resulting impact releases more energy
than those two little atoms could have ever generated by themselves. Have you
any idea the power of these two little atoms combining? Fusion is the fuel that
powers the SUN!

In the same way something happens
when we come together to worship our Heavenly Father. But there is a
difference. The SON is the fuel that powers us! When we come together on
Wednesday nights a gestalt takes place. The glory of God’s grace in you is
reflected by the majesty of God’s grace in me, it’s refracted by the mercy of
God’s loving-kindness and amplified into the hearts of the people around us.
Together we become more than we could ever be on our own.

I look forward to seeing you all
tonight. We’ll have a great time in rehearsal which will lead to a great
service of worship for our God on Sunday. I can’t wait to see you all.

 

Love y’all, God Bless,

Chad

 

Notes to Notice

 

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE

6:00pm  Instrumental
Ensemble in the Worship
Center

6:30       Choir
in Room 800

7:00       Praise
Band & IE in the Worship
Center

7:30       ALL CAM
in the Worship Center

8:00       Praise
Band & Praise Team in the Worship
Center

 

Next Week – no
rehearsal due to July 4^th – we’ll be back in the saddle on July 11^th!

 

AUGUST 15^TH
– OPENING DAY

It’s time again
– that’s right, it’s time again for the 3^rd ever, 88^th
annual OPENING DAY! What is Opening Day? It’s that time at the beginning of the
semester we gather everyone in CAM in order to
discover what’s up in the year to come. We celebrate past victories, introduce
new leaders. We preview what lies ahead and spend time in consecration for all
God wants to do in us and through us in the coming season.

 

This year’s
Opening Day will be different than all that came before. We won’t simply
participate. We will lead. We will invite all the Ministry Teams of FBCO to
join us as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
It’s a time you won’t want to miss! Be watching here for more details!

 

What:     Opening Day

Who:     ALL OF CAM
& every other Ministry Team

When:    Wednesday, August 15^th – 6:30 –
8:00pm in the Worship
Center

Dinner
Before: FISH FRY – hosted by the Men’s Ministry Team

Dessert
After: hosted by the Family Ministry Team

 

PRAISE TEAM
AUDITIONS

Auditions and applications
are being accepted for the 2007 – 2008 Praise Teams. Auditions will take place
Wednesday night, July 11^th & 18^th from 5:30 – 6:30pm
in room 800. If you’ve already submitted an application we’ll contact you with
specifics regarding your audition time.

 

STANDARD OF
EXCELLENCE - Passion

Isaiah 26:8 says, “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your
truth, we wait eagerly for you, for Your name and Your renown are the desire of
our souls.”

 

We believe our services of worship are not about us. They
are about God and His glory. Our preparations each week will reflect this. The
passion of our heart must be for His name and for His renown. We recognize that
it is a privilege to be used by God to communicate His truth to others and that
we are reflectors of His glory. While we may be proficient at standing before
thousands of people singing, speaking, or acting our passion is not for the
crowd, the acclaim, or the praise. Our passion is for His name to be glorified
above all. With each passing moment of every service He must increase and we
must decrease. This one thought is our driving passion.

 

 

 

 

Order of
Service

Sunday AM – 07-01-07

Living Beyond Myself

 

VIDEO | First in Action

 

PRE-SERVICE

IE | Countdown

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Shine, Jesus Shine – G > Ab, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

WELCOME

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

WELCOME MUSIC

God of Our Fathers – Eb, BH – 629

Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory – Bb, BH – 633

The Star Spangled Banner – Ab, BH – 635

To God Be the Glory – Ab, BH – 4

 

CHOIR SPECIAL

This is America

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

I Surrender All – D, CHART (on printer in 400)

 

MESSAGE

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

INVITATION

I Surrender All – D, CHART (on printer in 400)

 

OFFERING | Child
Dedication (?)

 

Presentation of New Members

Close

Shine, Jesus Shine – G > Ab, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

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Authentic — Summer Daze

  Summer has begun. Children are free, teachers
kicked back on the beach sipping cool drinks, people whose jobs give them no
connection with school trudging off for another day at the grind stone. Ahh…the
sweetness.

This is the second of Wednesday’s we’re out for the
summer. I hope you’ll use some of this time to rest, relax, reload and
recharge. Sometimes the most godly thing you can do is rest! Mind you, being
well rested and [ar]rested are not the same thing. So don’t let your mind and
hands idle for too long!

To keep us focused I thought I would print
something you could read by way of devo over the next several days. I’ve put
seven here…that’s convenient because there are 7 days in the week. Each devo
will only take about 15 minutes. Read the passage. Rub a little SOAP on it and,
if you feel led, share it with someone else, maybe even me!

I can’t wait to see you all soon. I’ll see the
Praise Band and Praise Team tonight!

 

Love
y’all, God Bless,

CHAD

 

Seven
Day Summer Devo:

Remember
SOAP.

Scripture –       Read
it

Observation –   Write
what a thought about what this passage says to you.

Application –    What
does God want you to do with what you just observed?

Prayer –         Pray
it back to the Father!

 

Thursday          Proverbs
7; Philippians 1

Friday               Proverbs
8; Philippians 2

Saturday           Proverbs
9; Philippians 3

Sunday             Proverbs 10; Philippians 4 (If
you’ve been reading you just finished an entire book of the Bible!)

Monday             Proverbs
11; II John   

Tuesday            Proverbs
12; III John

Wednesday       Proverbs
13; Jude

 

If you keep up with your reading in
one week you will have read SEVEN chapters of Proverbs and FOUR entire books of
the Bible!

 

Notes to Notice

 

AUGUST 15^TH
– OPENING DAY

It’s time again
– that’s right, it’s time again for the 3^rd ever, 88^th
annual OPENING DAY! What is Opening Day? It’s that time at the beginning of the
semester we gather everyone in CAM in order to
discover what’s up in the year to come. We celebrate past victories, introduce
new leaders. We preview what lies ahead and spend time in consecration for all
God wants to do in us and through us in the coming season.

 

This year’s
Opening Day will be different than all that came before. We won’t
simply participate. We will lead. We will invite all the Ministry Teams of FBCO to
join us as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
It’s a time you won’t want to miss! Be watching here for more details!

 

What:     Opening Day

Who:     ALL OF CAM
& every other Ministry Team

When:    Wednesday, August 15^th – 6:30 –
8:00pm in the Worship
Center

 

PRAISE TEAM
AUDITIONS

Auditions are
coming. Watch here for details on times and locations!

 

SUMMER BREAK

Summer has just
begun. In light of the multiplicity of typing errors last week I’ve checked and
rechecked the calendar below. It IS accurate!

 

End of School

Wednesday – June 6^th –     NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 6:30
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 10^th –         No CHOIR in the LOFT –
Praise Band and Praise Team Only

 

Summer Break

Wednesday – June 13^th –   NO CAM ACTIVITIES, this includes Band and Praise
Teams – We’ll prepare for Sunday on Sunday!

 

Sunday – June 17^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

Vacation Bible School

Wednesday – June 20^th –   NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 8:15
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 24^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

We’ll pick back up on Wednesday night, June 27^th!
I look forward to seeing everyone then! – We’ll be preparing for August 15^th
and laying the foundations for Christmas! Don’t miss it!

 

STANDARD OF
EXCELLENCE - Humility

Isaiah 26:8 says, “Yes,
Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for you, for Your name
and Your renown are the desire of our souls.”

 

We believe our services
of worship are not about us. They are about God and His glory. Our preparations
each week will reflect this. The passion of our heart must be for His name and
for His renown. We recognize that it is a privilege to be used by God to
communicate His truth to others and that we are reflectors of His glory. While
we may be proficient at standing before thousands of people singing, speaking,
or acting our passion is not for the crowd, the acclaim, or the praise. Our
passion is for His name to be glorified above all. With each passing moment of
every service He must increase and we must decrease. This one thought is our
driving passion.

 

 

 

 

Order of
Service

Sunday AM – 06-10-07

Scott Phillips – Matthew 11:2 – 6

 

VIDEO | First in Action

 

PRE-SERVICE

CD | Countdown

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Trading My Sorrows – A, CHART

 

WELCOME

Mike Napier

 

WELCOME MUSIC

My Redeemer Lives – E, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Are You Washed – Ab > Bb, BH – 136

There’s Power in the Blood – Bb, BH – 132

 

VIDEO

Nothing But the Blood

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

There is a Fountain – C, BH – 142

Who Can Satisfy – C, MSPW – 28

 

MESSAGE

Scott Phillips

 

INVITATION

I Have Decided – Db, BH – 305

 

OFFERING | Student
PowerPoint

 

Presentation of New Members

Close

My Redeemer Lives – E, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

Powered by ScribeFire.

Authentic - How Dry I Am

    I hope you’ve noticed our changing schedule.
Tonight we don’t have any or our regular rehearsals. The AWANA Recognition
service will take place in the Worship
Center from 6:30 –
8:00pm. There will be food, inflatables and a great time to discover what’s
been going on with the spiritual development of our kids! I hope you plan to
attend.

This Sunday there will be a drama during our
service so we will have rehearsal for that at 8:15 in the Worship Center
right after the AWANA recognition. Also this Sunday the CHOIR will sing HOLY
LIKE YOU! I hope to see everyone in the loft at 8:20 – just like normal! It’s
going to be a great day.

 

I know with our change in schedule we get out of
sync, perhaps out of the habit of fulfilling activities or responsibilities
that may fall into the category ‘spiritual acts of worship’. For some, their
attendance on Wednesday night is not just about preparing for Sunday. It’s not
just about fun and fellowship or fulfilling a commitment. Romans 12:1 – 2 talks
of giving your bodies to God as a living sacrifice. It goes on to say this is a
reasonable act of worship. For some, attendance at church on Wednesday and
Sunday is part of their reasonable act of worship. And rightly so, the Bible
tells us we should come together in worship at church. It tells us we should
invest our lives in the lives of others. As a church our official times of
gathering have primarily been Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. These are the days we have
set apart for this very purpose. Now that summer is upon us we’ve entered that
first week of schedule oddities where we don’t have our regular CAM worship preparations on Wednesday night. With this
change there is risk. We risk getting out of the habit of fulfilling one our
spiritual acts of worship. We risk laying aside a spiritual discipline and
replacing it with the mundane activity of life. We risk losing momentum in our
walk with Christ together in the Christian Arts Ministry as our church focuses
its attention on the development of other areas of ministry.

I want to encourage you in three things:

1. These next 4 weeks
   purpose in your heart to read ONE passage of Scripture every day, 5 days a
   week. For this I like Proverbs, Philippians and Matthew – choose a book
   and read a chapter a day for the next several weeks.
2. On Sunday – Lead
   worship where you are. This Sunday the choir will lead from the loft. Even
   without our regular Wednesday rehearsal be in place this Sunday on time
   and ready to lead. When you’re not on the platform, when you’re in the
   congregation, arrive for the services on time and lead well from your seat
   in the Worship
   Center. The passion
   of your expressions of worship to God during our services from within the
   congregation is a powerful testimony to God and those around you. You can
   lead others even when you’re not on the platform. Also – if you’re out of
   town on a family vacation visit another church. See what God is doing
   somewhere else, come back and tell me the tale. It’s amazing to see how
   God is working all over the world.
3. Put June 27^th
   on you calendar, set an alarm and bring someone with you. Will hit the
   ground with both feet running in order to prepare for the new season. I’m
   looking forward to seeing you then.

 

I love and miss you all. I look forward to serving
with you again this Sunday. Keep in touch via email and phone. I would love to
hear from you, about your summer plans and about how God is at work in you and
your family. See you soon.

 

Love
y’all, God Bless,

CHAD

 

Notes to Notice

 

PRAISE TEAM
AUDITIONS

Applications
for Vocal Praise Team Auditions will be available tonight! Vocal Praise Team
members lead worship in a smaller group. They serve in 3 teams of 6 that each
sing for a month then are off for two months. Consistent participation in
Celebration Choir and other CAM Ministries as well as Sunday School and Worship
Services is required. Flexibility is key as well as an ability to keep up with
fast paced changes, a little sight reading and lot of singing by ear. More than
anything a heart for God and a love for people is required. Sign up tonight for
your time to audition!

 

AWANA RECOGNITION

Wednesday, May
30^th will be our annual AWANA Recognition service in the Worship Center from 6:30 – 8:00pm. I
would like to invite everyone involved in our regular rehearsals to attend.
With inflatables, games and food as well as a special service this will be a
great time for families. It’s also a great opportunity for us to reach out to
parents who may not really attend church anywhere.

 

Because of this
service we won’t have our regular Wednesday rehearsals. We will have Praise Band and
Praise Team rehearsal from 8:15 – 9:30 in the Worship Center.

 

SUMMER BREAK

Beginning next
Wednesday night part of CAM will take a 4 week
Wednesday night break! We’ll still lead on Sunday mornings, the choir will
still sing, but our regular rehearsal times will change to give folks a little
breather and to make room for the exciting things taking place throughout the
church. See the schedule below to see how this affects you! Those groups still
meeting on Wednesday are in BOLD.

 

AWANA Recognition

Wednesday – May 30^th –    NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         DRAMA for Sunday will meet @ 8:15 in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 3^rd –           The CHOIR will SING –
“Holy Like You” – Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

End of School

Wednesday – June 6^th –     NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 6:30
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 10^th –         No CHOIR in the LOFT –
Praise Band and Praise Team Only

 

Summer Break

Wednesday – June 13^th –   NO CAM ACTIVITIES, this includes Band and Praise
Teams – We’ll prepare for Sunday on Sunday!

 

Sunday – June 17^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

Vacation Bible School

Wednesday – June 20^th –   NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 8:15
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 24^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

We’ll pick back up on Wednesday night, June 27^th!
I look forward to seeing everyone then! – We’ll be preparing for August 15^th
and laying the foundations for Christmas! Don’t miss it!

 

AUGUST 15^TH
– OPENING DAY

It’s time again
– that’s right, it’s time again for the 3^rd ever, 88^th
annual OPENING DAY! What is Opening Day? It’s that time at the beginning of the
semester we gather everyone in CAM in order to
discover what’s up in the year to come. We celebrate past victories, introduce
new leaders. We preview what lies ahead and spend time in consecration for all
God wants to do in us and through us in the coming season.

 

This year’s
Opening Day will be different than all that came before. We won’t
simply participate. We will lead. We will invite all the Ministry Teams of FBCO to
join us as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
It’s a time you won’t want to miss! Be watching here for more details!

 

What:     Opening Day

Who:     ALL OF CAM
& every other Ministry Team

When:    Wednesday, August 15^th – 6:30 –
8:00pm in the Worship
Center

 

STANDARD OF
EXCELLENCE - Humility

Philippians 2:3 – 4 says, “Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others
better than himself.”

 

We believe that true humility is not thinking highly of
yourself and it’s not thinking lowly of yourself. True humility is not thinking
of yourself at all. We will serve. We will follow. We will listen. We will
obey. We will decrease and He will increase not through the force of our will
or the power of our presentation, but because we will fully submit to His
desires with all that we are.

 

 

 

 

 

Order of
Service

Sunday AM – 06-03-07

iFamily | iPromise – The Synergy of Oneness

 

VIDEO | First in Action

 

PRE-SERVICE

CD | Countdown

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Bb, BH – 448

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

WELCOME

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

WELCOME MUSIC

I Give You Thanks – E, CHART

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Holy Like You – Db, BT – 185

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Single Minded – D, CHART

 

DRAMA

iFamily Talk Show | iPromise

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

The Family Prayer Song – G, MSPW – 54

 

MESSAGE

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

INVITATION

The Family Prayer Song – G, MSPW – 54

 

OFFERING | Student
PowerPoint | Child Dedication (?)

 

Presentation of New Members

Close

I Give You Thanks – E, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

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Authentic - End of Season

  I don’t know if this happens to you, but for me sometimes
our seasons run together. We go from one big event to another followed by
another rehearsal and another big event. I love it! Our mission is significant.
Our task is important, our role on this team critical. Every Sunday you and I
get together to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ and it
is an honor to serve with you.

As I look back over this past season I’m reminded
of all the good things God has done. This time last year we were beginning
preparations for Christmas. By December several people were saved and several
new people involved in leading others through the ministry of Christian Arts.
We stepped into the New Year and led the church to Value the Vision. From there
we went into Easter. Where again more people were encouraged by the gospel and
more came to a saving knowledge of Christ. In the midst of all these things you
grew as a Believer. You and your family faced challenges you overcame. You discovered
things about your own life that needed attention and as you prayed about those
things and studied Scripture you have slowly learned how to overcome them.

In this season some of our number have faced
tragedy through the loss of family or friends or perhaps through personal
battles yet to be won. For these friends this may be the end of the season, but
it’s not the end of the struggle. And so we go on together to the next big
event, to the next step in ministry. Whether this past year our personal battles
have been lost or won we know what our ultimate victory will be and who will
bring it about. And so, while we may be at the end of a season the journey
continues.

We’re not finished yet. There’s more work to be
done. Personally we each have things in our lives God wants to teach us, skills
we need to master, temptations to be overcome, and demons to be driven out. In
ministry together there are still people around us who neither know nor believe
in the saving power of Jesus Christ. And so our mission continues. We press on
toward the mark for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This is a journey I’m glad to take with you. This is a mission we willingly
accept because we know the outcome will be glory to God and life and joy for us!
This is a time to reflect on all God has done and to prepare for all that lies
ahead.

In the next four weeks we will take leave of our regular
schedule. You’ll find details of what that looks like below. I encourage you to
make the most of it. Celebrate the good things God has done in this past
season. Don’t fill this time with superfluous activity, but rest and invest
your time preparing for the season that is to come. We will come back and hit
the ground running with one goal in mind – to lead people become fully devoted
followers of Christ. I pray and am confident that when we return to our regular
schedule we will all be ready, because God has great things in store for us. And
I don’t want any of us to miss a thing! I can’t wait to discover them with you
all!

 

Love
y’all, God Bless,

CHAD

 

Notes to Notice

 

PRAISE TEAM
AUDITIONS

Applications
for Vocal Praise Team Auditions will be available tonight! Vocal Praise Team
members lead worship in a smaller group. They serve in 3 teams of 6 that each
sing for a month then are off for two months. Consistent participation in
Celebration Choir and other CAM Ministries as well as Sunday School and Worship
Services is required. Flexibility is key as well as an ability to keep up with
fast paced changes, a little sight reading and lot of singing by ear. More than
anything a heart for God and a love for people is required. Sign up tonight for
your time to audition!

 

AWANA RECOGNITION

Wednesday, May
30^th will be our annual AWANA Recognition service in the Worship Center from 6:30 – 8:00pm. I
would like to invite everyone involved in our regular rehearsals to attend.
With inflatables, games and food as well as a special service this will be a
great time for families. It’s also a great opportunity for us to reach out to
parents who may not really attend church anywhere.

Because of this
service we won’t have our regular Wednesday rehearsals. We will have Praise Band and
Praise Team rehearsal from 8:15 – 9:30 in the Worship Center.

SUMMER BREAK

Beginning next
Wednesday night part of CAM will take a 4 week
Wednesday night break! We’ll still lead on Sunday mornings, the choir will
still sing, but our regular rehearsal times will change to give folks a little
breather and to make room for the exciting things taking place throughout the
church. See the schedule below to see how this affects you! Those groups still
meeting on Wednesday are in BOLD.

AWANA Recognition

Wednesday – May 30^th –    NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 8:15
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 3^rd –           The CHOIR will SING –
“Holy Like You” – Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

End of School

Wednesday – June 6^th –     NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 6:30
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 10^th –         No CHOIR in the LOFT –
Praise Band and Praise Team Only

 

Summer Break

Wednesday – June 13^th –   NO CAM ACTIVITIES, this includes Band and Praise
Teams – We’ll prepare for Sunday on Sunday!

 

Sunday – June 17^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

Vacation Bible School

Wednesday – June 20^th –   NO CHOIR or INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE

                                         The BAND & PRAISE TEAM will meet @ 8:15
in the Worship Center

 

Sunday – June 24^th –         The CHOIR will SING –
Regular Sunday AM Rehearsal Times

 

We’ll pick back up on Wednesday night, June 27^th!
I look forward to seeing everyone then! – We’ll be preparing for August 15^th
and laying the foundations for Christmas! Don’t miss it!

AUGUST 15^TH
– OPENING DAY

It’s time again
– that’s right, it’s time again for the 3^rd ever, 88^th
annual OPENING DAY! What is Opening Day? It’s that time at the beginning of the
semester we gather everyone in CAM in order to
discover what’s up in the year to come. We celebrate past victories, introduce
new leaders. We preview what lies ahead and spend time in consecration for all
God wants to do in us and through us in the coming season.

This year’s
Opening Day will be different than all that came before. We won’t
simply participate. We will lead. We will invite all the Ministry Teams of FBCO to
join us as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
It’s a time you won’t want to miss! Be watching here for more details!

What:     Opening Day

Who:     ALL OF CAM
& every other Ministry Team

When:    Wednesday, August 15^th – 6:30 – 8:00pm
in the Worship Center

 

STANDARD OF
EXCELLENCE - Faithfulness

James 5:12 says, “…let
your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’, ‘no’, lest you fall into judgment.”

We believe that members
of the Christian Arts Ministry can be found in every other ministry of the
church. We serve as Sunday School teachers, Student leaders, Pre-school and
Children’s Workers, in FAITH, Discipleship and in every other ministry of our
church. Regardless of where you participate or where you serve be fully
committed to the ministries you have chosen. If you are a member of the
Celebration Choir don’t miss a rehearsal or a Sunday morning. If you serve as
an Usher or Sunday School Teacher make certain you’re always there and on time.
Your effectiveness as a servant leader in any ministry is only as strong as
your faithfulness to that commitment.

 

 

Order of
Service

Sunday AM – 05-27-07

iFamily | iLove – Preparing for Marriage

 

VIDEO | First in Action

 

PRE-SERVICE

CD | Countdown

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

You Will Be Our God – A, CHART

 

VIDEO | First in
Action

 

WELCOME

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

WELCOME MUSIC

Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It – Ab, BH – 544

VIDEO | America

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

America the Beautiful with Tag – Bb - CHART

Ancient Words – G, CHART

 

CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC

Agnus Dei – A, CHART

MESSAGE

Dr. Roger Ferguson

 

INVITATION

The Family Prayer Song – Unsure of Key or location

 

OFFERING | Children’s
Video | Child Dedication (1^st)

 

Presentation of New Members

Close

You Will Be Our God – A, CHART

VIDEO | First in
Action

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Authentic - theScore Noir

So my family and I have returned this week from Disney all fat and happy. It was a great trip. Thanks for letting us go. It was great to see you all on Sunday morning. I miss you when I’m gone. Everyone did a great job Sunday AM. The choir special was simply amazing! Thanks, Jim, for rehearsing the choir last week. Thanks Lori, Betty, Band, IE and Choir for pouring your heart into a lamenting praise of God!

This Monday & Tuesday I went from one Magic Kingdom to another – we had a staff retreat at Tulakogee – needless to say I’m a bit behind on my writing, hence the cause for my verbosity here today and the colorless noir of this page.

While at Tulakogee we talked and prayed through God’s direction for the church from now till then end of 2007. We began to dream through 2008. As we discussed plans, considered possibilities and plotted strategies we were constantly reminded of the privilege it is to serve a people who have a genuine love for God and for each other. I’ve never served in a place where the people were more receptive to God’s leadership. Thank you for making the service of your staff here effective…more than that, thanks for making it fun.

I want to remind you of something. Everything rises and falls on leadership. In our church we have two kinds of leaders…Vocational Leaders – that’s your church staff; and Volunteer Leaders – that’s YOU! I call you a volunteer leader because of your participation in CAM. Every week, because of your leadership, the people of FBCO are prompted in worship. John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence.” He also says that a group of people will never grow beyond the passion, talent, ability, commitment, skill or depth of their leader. You can almost measure it. For example, on a scale of one to ten; ten being the most incredible leader imaginable and one being a person whose heart barely beats; if your passion for God in worship is a FOUR the people you lead in worship will never go beyond a FOUR in their own expression of worship. If you’re an EIGHT they’ll never go beyond an EIGHT. It’s the Law of the Lid. You might think of this as a Leadership Quotient. The people you lead are limited by your Leadership Quotient. Make sense?

With that in mind answer these questions. (These are rhetorical only – please don’t tell me or anyone else your answers. This is intended to be a personal evaluation just for you.)

1.    On a scale of one to ten how would you rate yourself as a lead worshiper?

2.    Think of the best lead worshiper you know personally. On a scale of one to ten how would you rate that person? Who is that person?

3.    On a scale of one to ten how would you rate the worship of an average FBCO church member?



Do your answers tell you something? Here’s what they tell me.

1.    Whether you think highly of yourself or lowly of yourself the answer to number one identifies how you need to grow in the next year. If you think of yourself as a FIVE can you grow into a SIX by the end of the year? Can you make it all the way to SEVEN? What will it take for this growth to happen?

2.    Scripture always speaks of THREE – the Leader & the Learner –that sounds like two…but here’s what I mean. What if you approached the person you identified in question 2 and asked them to LEAD you personally? If they are a TEN and you’re a FIVE and they were willing to invest in you do you think you would grow more quickly as a leader? You bet! Here’s how LEADER + LEARNER = THREE. It’s likely that in someone’s eyes you are much closer to a TEN than they are. What if you invested your life in them? A Leader investing in a Learner who intern invests in someone else. This is the essence of Discipleship.

3.    The answer to this question identifies the Leadership Quotient for the Christian Arts Ministry as a whole. How? Remember, you won’t attract or effectively lead someone with a higher leadership quotient than you. If we rate the worship of an average FBCO church member at FOUR then it’s likely the members in CAM all together average not much higher than a six. It tells a story doesn’t it?



Everything rises and falls on leadership – Whether you’re vocational or volunteer. Whether you are a three or an eight – our church as a whole will never grow beyond the spiritual depth or maturity of its leaders. You are that leader. Lead well. Lead where you are.



Love y’all, God Bless,

CHAD



Notes to Notice



PRAISE TEAM AUDITIONS

Applications for Vocal Praise Team Auditions will be available tonight! Vocal Praise Team members lead worship in a smaller group. They serve in 3 teams of 6 that each sing for a month then are off for two months. Consistent participation in Celebration Choir and other CAM Ministries as well as Sunday School and Worship Services is required. Flexibility is key as well as an ability to keep up with fast paced changes, a little sight reading and lot of singing by ear. More than anything a heart for God and a love for people is required. Sign up tonight for your time to audition!



AWANA RECOGNITION

Wednesday, May 30th will be our annual AWANA Recognition service in the Worship Center from 6:30 – 8:00pm. I would like to invite everyone involved in our regular rehearsals to attend. With inflatables, games and food as well as a special service this will be a great time for families. It’s also a great opportunity for us to reach out to parents who may not really attend church anywhere.



Because of this service we won’t have our regular Wednesday rehearsals. We will have Praise Band and Praise Team rehearsal from 8:15 – 9:30 in the Worship Center.



AUGUST 15TH – OPENING DAY

It’s time again – that’s right, it’s time again for the 3rd ever, 88th annual OPENING DAY! What is Opening Day? It’s that time at the beginning of the semester we gather everyone in CAM in order to discover what’s up in the year to come. We celebrate past victories, introduce new leaders. We preview what lies ahead and spend time in consecration for all God wants to do in us and through us in the coming season.



This year’s Opening Day will be different than all that came before. We won’t simply participate. We will lead. We will invite all the Ministry Teams of FBCO to join us as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. It’s a time you won’t want to miss! Be watching here for more details!



What:    Opening Day

Who:    ALL OF CAM & every other Ministry Team

When:    Wednesday, August 15th – 6:30 – 8:00pm in the Worship Center









STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE - Purity

Matthew 5:8 says, “Pure hearts see God.”



We believe that when we stand before the congregation we must be aware of the fact that people are looking to us to find their way to God. Each week we will prepare as a group, but we must also prepare as individuals. Check your heart daily. See if there is any unconfessed sin or any broken relationships you need to bring before God before you stand to lead. None of us are perfect. But as we lead let’s make certain we are trusting in God’s strength and not our own.

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Authentic - The Wonderful World of Disney

Hope is almost lost. I’m beginning to see large black ears everywhere. Goofy is not the friendly character of cartoons, but a sadistic taskmaster who brainwashes children. One child already shows signs of subversion. I believe the others will soon follow. The adults fear for their lives. One more parking pass, they’re sucking us dry.

Okay…so maybe that description is a little over the top, but as the reality TV show that is the Balthrop and William Family Vacation comes to an end I realize we’ve had the kind of trip that would have made Clark W. Griswold proud. Here at Wally World I’ve not yet punched a Plastic Moose or strapped my dog to the bumper of our car, so I guess things are going pretty well! It really has been a blast. I appreciate the church allowing us time away. I appreciate the in-laws and out-laws who help make a trip like this possible. I appreciate your faithfulness to lead in worship and to prepare for this Sunday both in my presence and my absence.

I’ve been to Disney World several times now. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. I love amusement parks. I’ve been a ride junky for some time now. But I also love a good story and Disney does both extremely well. They create a world where you are immersed in the story. You experience some of the action. You enjoy a good tale and in the process you discover more about yourself and the world around you. Every little girl is a princess, every little boy an action hero. Everything about this place excites the imagination. We’ve walked the parks from early till late. We’re all tired, but we keep waking up ready for more.

As I wander through Disney I begin to notice some things. The lengths they go to in order to insure an enjoyable, immersive experience for everyone are unbelievable. Every detail is thoughtfully considered. They spare no expense to capture my attention in order to tell me a good story. Everyone who works here is happy, servant-hearted, and willing to go the extra mile in order to make our experience a dream-come-true. I’ve been curious about the people who work here so I’ve been talking with them a lot. Some are college students on a paid internship. They earn college credit while serving Pizza at Pizza Planet at MGM Studios, they pick up a few college hours while helping people on and off rides. Some are Senior Adults who point the way to bathrooms. Others are upwardly mobile, career minded individuals trying to make their mark in the world of Disney while some are actors, singers, writers and engineers hoping for their big break. Whatever their motivation they are all pleasant, devoted, well trained and focused on their responsibility.

I went to the Disney web site to find out more about the people who work here. They have an entire site devoted to careers at Disney. You might check it out. http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/culture.html - On this site you’ll discover their core values. You’ll find how to get a job with Disney. You’ll realize that there are literally a thousand things that can be done and you’ll see the heart behind what they do.

Here’s the part I find remarkable. Ultimately Disney’s primary goal is to separate me from my money. This they do very well. It’s not a very altruistic goal, but it is a practical one. They’re in business for business. This fantastic fantasy world, the way they treat my children, exists to make money. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. People have to make a living. Why not earn a living entertaining people?

Their website talks of 6 Core Values: Innovation, Quality, Community, Storytelling, Optimism, & Decency. I don’t find anything about profit there, but within these core values the company finds great profit. They are very specific about how Disney Cast Members carry themselves. They want these 6 Core Values to permeate every detail of who they are as a company. Yes, practically their success is determined by the bottom line. But that bottom line is dependant on people from all walks of life, from every country on earth, from every system of belief. These people come together around these 6 Core Values in order to create an entertaining experience for my family. And they do it very well. The Disney Careers website is so specific about how these core values are to be expressed that you can find pages about the ‘Disney Look’. Every Cast Member is required to have a certain ‘look’. Hair styles for men and women are clearly defined. Facial hair is acceptable, but only if worn a certain way. If your character requires a look apart from the Disney standard you must get special permission. Details…details…details…all supporting these core values…all for the sake of entertainment. Companies like Disney define our culture today.

As the church we have a story to tell. We have an experience to offer. We have core values to which we cling and our purpose is much more noble than simply business. We genuinely want to affect people’s lives in a way that changes eternity for them forever. So, why is Disney a bigger force for cultural change in our world today than the church?

I’ll not offer an answer here today. But consider these things – how well do you reflect the core values of the church? Do you know our core values? Are you willing to follow those who lead? Will you fulfill the ministry God has enabled you to do whether I’m in town or not, whether I lead you directly or indirectly? Why do you serve? Is it for you or for Him?

I believe when we as individuals get a grip on the Core Values of Scripture that God will get a grip on us. I believe when God gets a grip on us the church will define the culture rather than culture defining us.

I love and miss you all. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend. This Sunday we’ll sing ‘For Every Mountain’ – it’s a tough one, but you play and sing it well! I’ll see you then!



Love y’all, God Bless,

Chad





Notes to Notice



AWANA RECOGNITION

Wednesday, May 30th will be our annual AWANA Recognition service in the Worship Center from 6:30 – 8:00pm. I would like to invite everyone involved in our regular rehearsals to attend. With inflatables, games and food as well as a special service this will be a great time for families. It’s also a great opportunity for us to reach out to parents who may not really attend church anywhere.



Because of this service we won’t have our regular Wednesday rehearsals. We will have Praise Band and Praise Team rehearsal from 8:15 – 9:30 in the Worship Center.



REHEARSAL!

Tonight Choir Rehearsal will be led by JIM BROWN! Instrumental Ensemble will be lead by RONNIE WILSON!



Praise Team and Praise Band – We will not rehearse this evening. We will get together at 7:45am on Sunday to prepare for Sunday!



ARE YOU IN?

A fully devoted follower is easy to identify. They make healthy choices. They have a healthy appetite for spiritual things – that’s prayer and Bible Study. And they participate in healthy activity – that’s church involvement. Are you involved in Small Group Bible Study? Do you participate in our Worship Services beyond the moments you’re on the platform or serving in the service? If you’re not, you’re missing out. To find out how you can be involved contact me, chad@fbcowasso.org!



YOU MAKE THE CALL

They’re out there, waiting to be asked. People who sing, play instruments, have a little technical knowledge and who are great people to be with. Who could you invite from your Sunday School class this week to be involved in CAM?





RESCUE – the Prayers We Pray



We didn’t take requests last week. These requests are from the week before. Updates, please…

Health Issues

Dolly Mowery – She’s had an ongoing struggle with cancer. Currently she is fighting and infection. The doctors are attempting to get the right combination of medications.

Janet Greene’s Brother, Quentin – surgery in Shawnee

Chad Barnard – Jennifer had a bone scan with negative results

Kathleen Colburn – her mother has had two small strokes and is having health issues

Melissa Tyndall – ongoing health concerns

Pray for each name on the list like this, “Father, you are able to heal. You’ve given us doctors and medicine. You’ve surrounded each of these people with people who love and care for them. Let each person on the list be confident in Your grace. Heal them and let them tell the story of your salvation – not just spiritual, but physical – to those around them.



Spiritual Matters

Lori Thrun’s daughter – salvation

Pray like this, “Dear Jesus, soften her heart. Draw her to Yourself. Let her ask the right questions. Let Lori and Wally give the right answers. Help her understand and believe.”



Praise

Steve K. – Thanks to Carolyn Burd for the food she prepares for us every Sunday AM.



Praise like this, “Heavenly Father, thank you for Carolyn Burd. Bless her and her family. Give me opportunity this week to express my appreciation to her personally. Thank you, God, for the many ways you provide for our needs and for the people through whom you do it. I pray that I will always be grateful for the things you give and that I too would be generous and always ready to serve someone else.”



All these things we pray in Jesus name.

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