Oops...

Well, I guess you could say it's been a bit crazy lately. It's December 30th and I think I'm finally starting to catch my breath after this very full month of December - whew!

Incase you missed it (which I hope you didn't!) Christmas Eve at Meck eclipsed every expectation, every prayer offered in a major way! From carolers outside, to hot chocolate, to candles, to a 'social network' media moment, to awesome lights (thanks Phil and Lane!), to a powerful word from our Senior Pastor, to incredible band and vocals, to master media work...well, you get the idea, it was sick.

And not only was it incredible to experience, it was life changing for so many in attendance. What more could you hope to be a part of?!

Here are the songs you heard:
Christmas Eve in Sarajevo - TSO
Gloria - MercyMe
All Creation Sing (Joy to the World) - Steve Fee
Silent Night -Traditional
O Come all ye Faithful - Traditional
O Come Let us Adore-Third Day
Tag of All Creation Sing

Jesus Painting

If you were with us this past weekend, you experienced worship through a new medium - painting.
It was moving. It was awe-inspiring. It was filled with worship.

What's even better? The artist had never done anything like this before but her lone goal was to put her gift out there and trust God to do the rest. I'd say He answered her prayer.

But it wasn't just that she asked God to bless 'whatever'. This artist spent hours practicing, finding the right medium, praying over the story God would tell through these paintings, going over it with the weekend team, explaining her vision, adapting to requests/needs for the service, and so much more. It was the preparation of her craft and her spirit that led to one of the most moving moments I've experienced in recent memory.

I love the arts. What I love even more is an artist who recognizes where their gift came from and gives it back wholeheartedly for a purpose that is so much bigger than any art they could accomplish on their own.

12/11&12 Set List

All to You - Lincoln Brewster
Living for You - Gateway Worship
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
Jesus Paid it All - Kristian Stanfill


Offering Song:
You Can Have Me-Sidewalk Prophets

12/4&5 Set List

Kick off message for the series "Naked Love" was powerful (understatement of this blog!) I hope you'll join us this coming weekend for the next installment...I hear there are some pretty awesome things planned ;)

Here is Our King - David Crowder Band
Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Hallelujah Jesus - Evan Wickham
Our God is Love - Hillsong

Offering:
Hope to Carry On - Caedmon's Call Version

11/27&28 Set List

I'm not sure what happened to the last two set lists but they didn't show up! Let's give it a go again....

11/27&28 was an incredible weekend as we closed out the "Street Smart" series with a really powerful word from the closing chapter of James and we added a cello, mandolin and accordion to our worship set (can you say 'sweet'!?)

Yours Forever - Hillsong (this version was officially my new favorite of this song!)
God is Alive - Fee
Stronger - Hillsong
Wondrous Cross - Tomlin

Offering:
Thankful - Caedmon's Call

Set List for Nov. 13/14

Yours Forever-Hillsong
O Praise Him- David Crowder Band
Grace-Nichole Broome/Steven Gompers
He Loves Us-Kim Walker
*(is there a greater line than, "if grace were an ocean, we're all sinking". Love it, love the truth and power of those words)

offering song:
Deciphering Me-Brooke Fraser

Set List for Nov. 6/7

Rise and Sing - Fee
Our God is Love - Hillsong
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United
No One Higher - Fee

Offering;
Someday - Rob Thomas

Violin? Cello? Viola?

Do you play violin? cello? viola?

WE NEED YOU for an upcoming service!

Please email kgray@mecklenburg.org to find out more

Set List for 10/30&31

Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman
From The Insider Out - Hillsong
All To You - Lincoln Brewster

Offering:
Satisfy Me - Decemberadio

Set List for 10/23&24

Did anyone catch the awesome new music behind our 5 minute countdown? It was a Meck original compliments of the musical stylings of Ray, Andrew, Steven and Rick and master mixed by Rich Mason! Way to go guys!

All Because of Jesus - Fee
Salvation is Here - Lincoln Brewster Version
Hosanna - Brooke Fraser
Stronger - Hillsong

Offering:
Wake Up - Arcade Fire

Play Bass? Lead Electric? Keys/Snyth?

So...do you? Do you play bass, lead electric or keys/synth?

Do you know anyone who does?

We need you!

As we expand and create teams for our various multi-sites, we have some very strategic needs in these 3 areas.

Email me at kgray@mecklenburg.org or leave a comment here.

This is an opportunity to not only meet some incredible people but to use your skills in a way that is way more awesome than any bar gig or wedding reception! :)

What are you waiting for?! Jump in and make a difference!

Set List for 10/16&17

Wow, wow, wow.
What an incredible weekend! It seems like I'm saying that a lot these days, but God is doing some amazing things in our midst so I can't help it! So grateful.

We Shine - Fee
Here is Our King - DCB
Freedom is Here - Hillsong United

Offering:
Lead Me To The Cross - Brooke Fraser

Baptism songs:
Song to the King - Natalie Grant
Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

Behold the Lamb of God Tickets Now Available!

Get to Meck's website at mecklenburg.org to secure your tickets to the Behold The Lamb of God Concert!

Tickets SELL OUT every year so get yours fast. Once they are gone, they are gone no matter how much begging you do ;)

If you've never been - you don't want to miss this, trust me.

If you've been in years past - you didn't even finish reading this post because you are all ready ordering your tickets!

Can't wait to welcome back these amazing artists for what has become one of my all time favorite Christmas traditions!

Set List for 10/9&10

Here is the set we did as we continued to have our butt kicked by the book of James ;)

Our God Is Love - Hillsong Live
God Is Alive - Fee
Yours Forever - Hillsong
My Glorious - Chris Tomlin

offering:
Won't Turn Back - needtobreathe

Set List for 10/2&3

Run - Hillsong
Your Love Never Fails - Chris Quilala *Saturday night only
Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United

Offering:
Shadowfeet - Brooke Fraser

Song during Cross Moment - Lord You Have My Heart

The Book of James + a Gifted Communicator + Little Crosses + Meck = Incredible Moment

Just amazing...and we get to do it all again this weekend!

A picture is worth a thousand words...

I happen to walk backstage this weekend and when I did I saw this....




I must confess, the beauty of all those people with their arms wrapped around each other, so tight in this little circle, took my breath away. See, this isn't just a team of volunteers coming to serve. This is a family. They disagree. They pick on each other. They joke. They laugh. They cry. They pull each other up. They give a pat on the back. They support. They inspire. At the end of the day, they know someone has their back...they're in this together.

Their response? To pray.

And when they pray, they're not praying together because it's "part of serving" or the "right, churchy" thing to do when you're all gathered up together. This was no formal circle with strangers holding hands, reciting some inauthentic words that sounded good for the moment.

They are praying because it's part of their life, a part of their on-going relationship with Christ...they are praying and believing that God will provide more than they could ever ask or dream...trusting Him to do more than they are capable of...counting on Him to bind them together to reflect His love and grace to a lost and dying world...expecting to be a part of something amazing...grateful to be in it together...as a family.

Set List for 9/25&26

Salvation is Here - Lincoln Brewster Version
Freedom is Here - Hillsong United
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
I am Free - Newsboys

Offering:
Let Your Glory Shine - Lincoln Brewster

Set list for September 18/19

Rise and Sing - Fee
Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster Version
Never Let Go - Matt Redman
Living for You - Gateway Worship

Life is a Highway - Rascal Flatts Version

Set List for September 11/12

This weekend we had the fun of not only kicking off an awesome new series and a new set, but we also welcomed Psalm 100 from UNC Chapel Hill. If you missed it, check out one of the remaining inet campus services...I promise you'll be glad you did!

God Is Alive - Fee
Happy Day - Kim Walker Version
With Everything - Hillsong United

Psalm 100 performed the following songs:
By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North
Stand In The Rain - Superchick

and Yes, they have a cd. Their website is:
www.singpsalm.com

Set List for 9/4&5

What a powerful weekend at Meck! I'll blog more about that later, but for now here's the set list:
Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin
Our God Is Love - Hillsong Live
From The Inside Out - Kristian Stanfill
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

offering:
A Mighty Fortress - Christy Nockels

Set List for 8/28&29

If you weren't at Meck this weekend, you're in luck...because we have inet services you can attend. Check'em out because you don't want to miss this final installment of 2020 Vision!

O Praise Him - David Crowder Band
Here Is Our King - David Crowder Band
Drum breakdown - written and organized by our own Taylor C.!
Yours Forever - Hillsong United

offering: Never Going Back to OK- The Afters

closing: Hands - Jewel

Doesn't everyone appreciate a good cartoon?

So things have been pretty serious on this blog lately...how about a good laugh, at a sound tech's expense!

Set List for August 21/22

Faithful - Fee
Blessed be your name - Redman/Meck version
All because of Jesus - Fee

Our God is love - Hillsong Live

We're going green, er, blue!

Okay, you're getting a double dose of blogging today!

This weekend the Meck Arts Team is going a little greener, well actually, we're going a little bluer!

This Saturday:
...I will say "adios!" to the trip to the store to pick up cases of water for the weekend
...I will say "good bye!" to collecting plastic water bottles out of the trash (YUCK!) for recycling because I can't stand to see all that plastic lying in the trash!

"Why?" you ask...
Because this weekend we will all say "HELLO!" to these:



Yep, as a member of the Meck Arts Team you'll be getting one of these super cool Meck water bottles! We'll not only help our environment and the budget, but we'll have another awesome way to get the Meck logo and website out there. And then what happens next? People see a logo, or a website, they might even ask about it...and you?
You have a chance to be light in the darkness yet again.

It's not just a water bottle folks, it's a tool - let's use it to spread the word!

Light in the Darkness

Jesus says in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

There have been some pretty crazy thunderstorms here lately. On one occasion we lost our power. One moment we were playing in different areas of the house - two kids playing a game, another one reading a book, me folding laundry. A nice quiet moment. And then.. BANG!!! Lights were out and yelling was on!
"Where are you?!"
"I can't see you?!"
"Mommy come find me!"

And then it happened. After groping around, I finally found the flashlight and turned it on. All three kids made their way to the light...and felt safe and calm once again. It's pretty amazing how that one little flashlight seemed to light up every corner of the dark room. When you live with the lights on, it's easy to forget how scary the darkness can be.

Likewise, when you live everyday with the light of Christ in your life, it can be easy to forget how scary it feels to live in the darkness of a life without Christ. But as Christ followers, we're commissioned to remember the darkness and bring light to it.

In Matthew 5:14-16 it says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

So, under a bucket or on a hill? Where will you put your light today?

"It is written..."

Three little words found in Matthew 4 with huge impact and application for our life.

Most of us know the story - after Jesus is baptized, He is led to the desert where satan tests Him. Jesus responds to each temptation with, "it is written..." and follows with scripture.

Go back and read it again.

Do you notice how Jesus and the satan argue with Scripture, and both know it well? But the big difference is that satan quotes scripture out of context and 'values its wording over its meaning', as one commentary described it.
Jesus used Scripture to teach satan God's will; satan presents it merely as promises to be exploited for one's own purposes, a "how to get God to work for you" mentality (a perspective that still runs rampant today).

Scripture can be a great weapon...and like any weapon, it can do damage if mishandled.

Jesus knew scripture. He knew the power of it when rightly interpreted and applied.
And knowing meant obeying.

"It is written..."

Even Better Quotes...

Well since we took up a week with quotes from other people, I thought we'd fill up this week with quotes from Jesus. Talk about having trouble narrowing down the field to a chosen few - whew!

I'd love to hear some of your favorite, most challenging or inspiring words from Jesus too. Here's one to get us started:

John 8:7-11:
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Now that one is sure to mess you up in every way possible if you let it (that's one of the things scripture does best, right?). I mean seriously, how often have you been in 'the crowd' and said nothing? Been the Pharisee, all full of yourself, casting blame on someone else when it very easily could have, should have, been you? How often have you been the woman...desperate, humiliated, broken, alone? And then there's the turning point - the unbelievable moment when Jesus looks you - YOU - in the eye and says, "Then neither do I condemn you...now go and sin no more."

That's the moment when all is right with the world...it's a new beginning.

Set List for August 14/15

The Time Has Come - Hillsong
No One Higher/Stand - Fee/Passion
The Glory Of It All - David Crowder Band
In Your City - Phil Wickham

Offering:
Something Beautiful - needtobreathe

Quotes to end your week...

I had a tough time picking my favs for this final 'quote post', but here's my best shot at it...

Andy Stanley (Author and Senior Pastor, North Point Church):
"Every organization has problems that shouldn't be solved and tensions that shouldn't be resolved. Progress depends not on the resolution of those tensions but on the successful management of those tensions."

Jeff Manion (Author and Senior Pastor, Ada Bible Church):
"Invite TRUST into your house and keep complaint out. Trust EVICTS complaint - they are incompatible roommates."

"The 'desert' (referring to those 'desert times' in our lives) is intended for transformational growth - we learn to pray and depend in the desert...it's fertile soil."

Terri Kelly (President and CEO of W.L.Gore & Associates):
"Our success is collective but individual responsibility makes it so."

"How do we divide so we can multiply?"

Blake Mycoskie (Founder and "Chief Shoe Giver," TOMS Shoes, Inc.; could possibly be the coolest guy on the planet!):
"You can't be bashful if you want to make change."

Jack Welch (Former Chairman and CEO, General Electric, Best Selling Author):
"An acidic person is not the 'loud mouth disrupter'...it's the hallway whisperer who is deadly."

"Stop the meeting after the meeting."

T.D. Jakes (Chief Pastor, The Potter's House):
"We're not going out to get the victory, we have the victory; we're going out to SPREAD the victory!"

"No one wants a cheap copy of a master original."

"We don't just fight evil, we fight normalcy."

And then there were more...Quotes that is...

Tony Dungy (Coach of the 2007 Super Bowl winning Colts, NBC Analyst):

"Stubbornness is a virtue...if you're right."

"Do not mistake hours for productivity."

"Why would you let anyone stop you from doing what you love?"

"I am a firm believer that the Lord sometimes has to short circuit even our best plans for our benefit."


Adam Hamilton (Founder and Senior Pastor, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection):
***this was a very powerful, very honest message that hit you right between the eyes. There was no weaseling out of this one as if we had it all under control, Adam didn't leave room for that when he dealt head-on with the uncomfortable topic of sexual sin and why so many christians fall because of it. There was way too much depth here to cover in a few quotes, but here are Adam's 5 keys to resisting temptations. If we could burn these into our brain and have them as a safeguard, we'd be in a much better position for handling this sin when it rears its head...and it will. As Adam reminded us, "No one is immune to sexual sin...but none of us are beyond redemption..."
Resisting Temptation:
1. Remember who you are
2. Recognize the consequences of your actions
3. Rededicate yourself to Christ
4. Reveal struggle to a trusted friend
5. Remove yourself from the situation (no matter how hard and inconvenient it might seem)

Quotes, Day 2

Continuing with yesterdays theme of Quotes from the 2010 Global Leadership Summit...

Jim Collins (Nationally Acclaimed Business Thinker, Best-selling Author):

“Greatness is a matter of conscious choice and discipline.”

"Count your blessings...in a spreadsheet. List all of the good things that have happened to you that you didn't cause"

"Invest more in being interested than in being interesting"


Christine Caine (Founder of the A21 Campaign, Director of Equip and Empower Ministries, Pastor & Teacher):

"Numbers are desensitizing. You must put a face and name to the number for it to mean something to you."

"We must determine to not bow down to the prevailing culture, but instead saturate a dark and hopeless world with the HOPE that can be found in Christ"

Zechariah 9:12, "return to the stronghold you prisoners of hope" (what awesome imagery - being a 'prisoner' of hope!)

Quotes, Quotes and more Quotes

This past week we had the pleasure of hosting the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit. It's an honor to be a host and the takeaway from an event like this lingers for a long time...if you let it.

Since my role with the Summit is very technical and focused, I don't catch the 'complete' message of any speaker. However, what I do find myself doing throughout each session is writing down quotes that grab my attention and cause me to be distracted from the 'job' I'm supposed to be doing for the Summit itself!

This years Summit featured one of the finest faculty line-ups ever. That being said, I have WAY too many quotes for one blog! So this week, each day will feature a few quotes that I hope cause you to be distracted in your daily routine too.

If you were at the Summit, I'd love to see you post some of your favorite quotes too!

Quotes for today come from Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church:

"We can't stay here, we HAVE to go there. Staying 'here' breaks the heart of God."

"We are a fast paced, high challenge, results oriented, sacrificial to the core church. Will you bear this towel over your arm as Jesus would? If so, join us."

"If you believed God was speaking to you, how concerned would you be about the quality of your reception?"

"Obeying the Spirit instead of your own self-centered whims will lead you to places you've never been, challenge you in ways you have never been challenged, and invite levels of sacrifice you never dreamed you could make. This is the power and the promise of full-throttle faith, of living a life fueled solely by God."

Set List For August 7/8

God Is Alive - Fee
You'll Come - Hillsong
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Yours Forever - Hillsong United

Let The River Run - Carly Simon

if you missed the kickoff to the series 2020 Vision, you missed big time. Watch it online, get the cd, something. It's challenging and exciting, but it is NOT tame.

And this was week one. Awesome.

Set List for July 31/Aug 1

Run - Hillsong
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Enough - Chris Tomlin
With Everything - Hillsong

Offering: Love Like Fire - Hillsong

Song included in message: This is our God - Chris Tomlin

Amazed

I just had the privilege to stand in front of 20+ members of our band, vocal and sound team. While we had some really important things to go over as we prepare to bring God our best in this next season of ministry, I couldn't keep my mind from wandering.
No, not wandering...I was marveling.

As I stood in front of these people - I looked around and was just amazed.
I was amazed at the talent in the room.
I was amazed by the collective sacrifice this group represents.
I was amazed at their eagerness for more, for better, for deeper.
I was amazed at their commitment to the cause of Christ.
I was amazed at the models of servant heartedness that were looking back at me.
I was amazed at friendships, new and old, that have been through the best of times and the worst of times...together.
I was amazed by the spouses and families that made it possible for these people to be here for this meeting, that make it possible for these people to use their gifts in this incredibly powerful way for entire weekends.

I was amazed that for some reason God has seen fit to let me be a part of such an outstanding, inspiring, engaging, gracious and loving group of people.

What's more amazing?
This group only represented a portion of the individuals that make up the rest of the Arts Team @ Meck!


WOW!

To all the Arts Team Volunteers -
the Arts Staff want you to know that we love you, we pray for you and we count ourselves extremely privileged to be able to serve and lead you. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. You truly are the best. You make Meck what it is, and that is an awesome thing indeed.

The best is yet to come...and it wouldn't be nearly as good without you!

Set List for July 24/25

Rise and Sing - Fee
Your Name High - Hillsong
Your Hold Me Now - Hillsong
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Lead Me To the Cross - Brooke Fraser

Set List For July 17/18

if you came to church on Saturday Night and joined us in the atrium since the thunderstorm knocked out our power :) this was the set:
Rise and Sing - Fee
Grace - Steve Gompers
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin


If you Joined us on Sunday in the auditorium (with power :) here's the set:
Say, Say - Kristian Stanfill
Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Your Love Is Deeper - Phil Wickham
Stronger - Hillsong United
Made To Worship - Chris Tomlin

Either way, we worshiped and God was honored!

Rick brought a great word. If you missed it, check out the inet service or get a copy at the bookstore

Set List for July 10/11

Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Desert Song - Brooke Fraser/Hillsong
Mighty To Save - Hillsong
Happy Day - Jesus Culture

Offering:
Beautiful, Beautiful - Francesca Battistelli (acoustic version)

Closing:
With Everyhing - Hillsong United

Set List for July 3/4

Grace - Steve Gompers
All I Need - Hillsong United
Arms Open Wide- Hillsong United
Here Is Our King - DCB

Offering:
Kingdom - Kristian Stanfill

if you missed this weekend, I STRONGLY encourage you to catch it on the Internet campus.
If you were there, you might just wanna check it out again for fun ;)

Honored to serve Robby and the message God gave him this weekend. Powerful stuff.

Set List for June 26/27

Boy Band Weekend!

Your Love Never Fails - Chris Quilala/Jesus Culture
Arms Open Wide - Hillsong United
God is Alive - Fee
Yours Forever - Hillsong United

Typical - Mute Math

Set List for June 19/20

Acoustic Weekend..on purpose this time!
Keys: Rick
Acoustic Guitars: Andrew and Charlie
Cajon and Shaker: Taylor
Bass: Lane
Vocals: Brandy, Rose, Rick and Charlie

Set:
Desert Song
All I Need is You
Come Thou Fount
From the Inside Out
Rise and Sing

Offering:
Lay'em Down - Needtobreathe

209

It's just a number...and yet, it's not just a number at all.

209 people took an incredible step of faith this past weekend.
209 people responded to the first great 'ask' of God with boldness.
209 beautiful, soaking wet people came up out of the baptism water as an outward sign of their inward commitment.

And the rest of us, had 209 reasons to fall to our knees yet again.

THIS is church.

I guess you heard by now...

So, you probably all ready heard about our Saturday night service. But just incase, here's a recap:
5:50 - we finish an awesome dress rehearsal and are excited about the message we know Jim is going to bring
5:55 - the countdown clock starts (so do the butterflies anticipating a really awesome hour ahead!)
5:59:30 - the countdown is rolling but there is no sound! PANIC ALARM GOES OFF!!!

What in the world just happened?! The band can hear everything perfectly through their in-ears, you can hear out in the hall, the guy in the sound 'closet' recording for the internet campus is getting a feed just fine...but in the auditorium? Silence. Dead silence.

6:00 - Rick jumps off the riser and runs backstage to assess what's going on while Steven tries to figure out what in the world to say to the church while we're trying to figure out what's happening!

6:01 Nothing

6:02 What was that? Nope...nothing

6:03 See above

6:04 Again, see above

6:05 Wait...we hear something, nope. It's didn't work.

6:06 Steven is doing a great job not making this really awkward. Did he just say something about a huge explosion confined to a small area? Where does he come up with this stuff? And why does he keep talking in the mic? It's not working! Thank you God for his sense of humor!!!

6:07 The announcement is made: Our processor just blew up. We have no sound, so we're doing this unplugged...REALLY unplugged. The church is asked to move into the center section and fill in the empty seats, they do. The band members go off stage and start grabbing acoustic instruments. Is Andrew (our electric guitar player extraordinaire) playing a shaker? And then it happened...

6:08 One of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard - the church singing, and singing LOUD. There was definitely worship going on, without mics, without sound but with passion, with authenticity and with full devotion to Christ.


Our Senior Pastor gets up and 'shouts' the message God had given him...and the church responded in a huge way (that's for another blog).

Meck - there is no doubt, even without sound, we were "Living Out Loud". It's an incredible thing to be part of this community and the grace and love you poured out on the Arts Team this weekend was humbling...and moving.

It's an incredible thing that these people pictured below did to get through Saturday Night and then go all over town to set up a sound system so that we could have services on Sunday with sound, so that God's word could be heard loud and clear. They had no concern for how it would impact their Saturday night plans, how long it would take to get done, how much (or in this case, how 'little') sleep they would get, or how early they would have to return on Sunday morning. They knew what was at stake - and nothing was going to stop them from giving God their absolute best efforts...and boy did they did.
So today I want to salute Jeff, Keith and Christine, Ali, Mark, Rick, Andrew, Dave, Ray, Lane, Brandy, Charlie, Steven, Lindsay and Jim. You are my heroes! And this is what it means to be the church.




But you know what's super cool? If this processor explosion had happened the weekend before this...if this had happened this weekend coming...you know what? The response and results would have been EXACTLY the same. No matter what members of the Arts Team happened to be serving, I know without a doubt that every single person involved would have had the same exact response, commitment, dedication and heart about the whole thing. That's not 'normal' friends...and I'm SO glad I get to be a part of it.

God is so good.

So what do the weekly Arts Team planning/brainstorming meetings look like?

Kinda like this...

What I learned at the Apple Store

Set List For May 29/30

Run - Hillsong
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Revelation Song - Kim Walker/Jesus Culture Version
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong

Offering:
Believe - The Bravery

Set List for May 22/23

We're always looking to try new and creative things with our services. One of the ways we did that this weekend was musically. We stripped the stage and went with a Meck version of acousic!

Here's the band and instruments:
Acoustic Guitars: Andrew, Steven and Charlie
Ukulele: Joseph
Cajon, Shaker, Agogo: Ray
Small Kit: Taylor
Bass: Lane
Keys, Melodica, Harmonium: Rick
Vocals: Charlie, Rachel, Steven

Worship Set:
Freedom is Here - Hillsong United
Salvation Is Here - Passion/Fee
Hosanna - Hillsong United
Grace - Gompers

Offering:
Creed - our version based on that by Rich Mullins

Set List for May 15/16

Say, Say - Kristian Stanfill

Stronger - Hillsong

From the Inside Out - Hillsongs United

What If - Nichole Nordeman

Set List for May 8/9

Cannons - Phil Wickham

No One Greater/Stand - Fee

Doxology

Run - Hillsong

Offering:

I Still Believe - The Call

If they'll do this for pizza...

We just watched this video at a staff meeting this morning and asked ourselves that question: If Domino's will do this to get someone to try a pizza, what are we willing to do to get someone to 'try' Christ? To give the church a chance?

What about the "church holdouts" who we connect with daily? Maybe we can't go after everyone with billboards and airplane banners, I'm guessing that would get costly real fast.

BUT...

We can invest in the lives of the people we come in contact with every day.
And we can invite them to church.

What's even better? Each week we're striving to craft an experience that is perfect for someone who is a holdout! We have the collective forces, resources, talents and passions of the most powerful movement on the planet - the church - coming together to do one thing: make God known to a lost and dying world.

But what if we're the ones holding out? What if the 'church holdouts' are only holdouts, because the church-goers are holding out on an invitation to experience something bigger, something stronger, something deeper, something that's missing in the lives of our neighbors and friends? What if we're holding out on letting others know about the grace we've experienced, the love we've been shown?

Maybe you're thinking it won't work with your friends.
Maybe you're thinking the church and it's message wouldn't be relevant to them.

Here's a little statistic to blow up that theory:
77% of those in attendance at our last TeamLife class were unchurched prior to coming to Meck.

77%

What we're striving to do as a church isn't mythical or something we're hoping to achieve - it's happening. It's working. It's reality. We're reaching the lost with the message of Christ. Marriages are being restored. Children are learning to pray. Lives are being changed...forever.

So, again, I ask the question...If Domino's will do that for pizza, what will you do for Christ?

Set List for May 1/2

You Hold Me Now - Hillsong
Here Is Our King - DCB
All Because Of Jesus - Steve Fee

My Glorious - Passion/Chris Tomlin

and if you missed week one of the new series "Can I believe?". What were you thinking!?!? Don't miss next week!

Set List for April 24/25

Say, Say - Kristian Stanfill
Grace - Steven Gompers
Glory Of It All - David Crowder Band
With Everything - Hillsong

Offering:
Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United

To be an Outlier like David:

1. Passionate resolve
2. Courageous faith
3. Knowing Big Bubba's Daddy is on your side (for those of you who weren't at Meck this weekend, that point makes no sense!)

Some questions prompted by the message this weekend to consider, no, to wrestle with this week:

Whats holding you back?
What's it going to take to face your giant?
Do you reflect on God 4x more than your giant?

Fact: Your God is bigger!

YOU don't have to be a 'giant killer', you have to be a GOD BELIEVER!

Which will you choose today?

Set List for April 17/18

Desert Song - Hillsong
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Rise and Sing - Fee

Offering:
Declaration of Dependence - Starfield

Set List for April 10/11

God is Alive - Fee
O Praise Him - DCB
Our God - Tomlin/passion conference
Your Name High - Hillsong

Offering:
Count Me In - Leeland

Top 10 signs of...

This was posted at Serioustimes.com and I wanted to share it...it's strong. If you're 'comfortable', you won't like it. It's going to push you...and that's a great thing. If we're committed to what Jesus came and gave His life for, this top 10 list should serve as a 'check list' for our heart and spirit. There are few things more exciting, rewarding, humbling, faith building and awe inspiring than being part of a living, active, breathing, effective, uncomfortable-in-every-good-way-movement of God.

It starts with us - we either contribute to the 'life' or the 'death' of the church. So what are you going to do about it? Yes, you. It starts with YOU.

Now would be a good time to sign up to receive the Serious Times updates as well...very challenging and engaging stuff.


Vol. 6, No. 6

The Top Ten Signs Of…

10. There’s plenty of parking near the building for weekend services.
9. You can always get your favorite seat, or simply ask who is sitting in it to move.

8. The music is always familiar, and never too loud.

7. The pastor has been in everyone’s home, and knows everybody’s name.

6. You are never asked for money.

5. Phrases like, “We’ve never done it that way before,” “I’m not being faithless, just realistic,” “Why pray? God’s gonna do what God’s gonna do,” “If God wants His church to grow it will grow – we don’t have to do anything,” and “They really should do something about that” are common refrains.

4. You can be confident that whatever change there is will be incremental, insignificant, and will only happen with your direct input and approval.

3. There aren’t any of those left-leaning, evolution-believing, gay-marriage supporting, Harry Potter reading pagans daring to attend; just the pro-family, Christian-radio listening, fish-sticker wearing, big-Bible carrying types.

2. The Bible is seldom taught in ways that are uncomfortable or challenging.

1. It is always about you – getting fed, getting ministered to, with services evaluated by what you get out of it.

Yep, there you have it. The top ten signs of
...a dying church.

James Emery White

Easter Set List

Opening Song:
Let Your Glory Shine - Lincoln Brewster

God is Alive - Fee
Your Name High - Hillsong
In Your City - Phil Wickham
Rise and Sing - Fee

Offering Song:
Your Love - Chrystina Lloree Fincher
Salvation is Here - Passion/Fee

Oh How He Loves Us - Kim Walker/Jesus Culture
All Because of Jesus - Fee

It's Friday, but Sunday's comin'

Pray, pray, pray

Easy enough, right? Then do it now!

Please take a minute to stop and pray for the continued prepation of your heart, mind and spirit for Easter (don't miss the miracle in the midst of the preparations), pray for the service, pray for the 100's of volunteers who will serve 1000's of people, pray for the weather, pray for the message God has given Jim to speak, pray for your own sensitivity to opportunities to invite, invite, invite so that more people can come and hear a story that just might change their life!

Don't forget to offer praise - that's what this day is all about!

And then...see what God does when His people come together with their hearts aligned this way. Fasten your seatbelts.

Need I say more?

Set List for 3/27 & 28

Our God - Chris Tomlin/Passion Conference
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill Version

Offering:
True Love - Phil Wickham

82/31

If you were with us this past weekend you heard the statistics. Here's a recap:
82% of unchurched people in America would come to church THIS weekend if invited by a friend.
Awesome right? Here's the not so awesome part...
With one of the biggest church days of the calendar year approaching, only 31% of the christian population has any intention of inviting an unchurched friend to Easter. 31%. That's pathetic and with all honesty, it's easy to say it's pathetic and then do absolutely nothing about it.

So what about you? Are you the 31% who will invite? Or are you the 69% who will talk about how awful it is that no one is inviting?

This isn't about a church service or breaking Easter attendance records, this is about someone's eternity. This is about our friends, neighbors and co-workers facing a Christ-less eternity and doing nothing about it.

82% will go....will you ask?

Set List for March 20/21

Cannons - Phil Wickham
No one Higher/The Stand - Fee
God is Alive - Fee
Run - Hillsong

Offering:
Love is the Answer - Rob Attaway

Closing Song:
Calling all Angels - Train

easteratverizon.org

Have you been to the site? Have you used tools like facebook, twitter and email to get the word out about Easter at Verizon?
If not, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!

Other than Christmas, there couldn't be a day during the year which is any easier to invite your friends to a Meck experience than Easter. If they have kids - they MUST be here for the egg hunts, games and be a part of raising and blessing local non-profit organizations with a donation (if you were with us last year when we did this, you know it's a very cool thing). The service has been finalized, media is in development phase, the band is getting ready to start rehearsing, Jim is preparing an incredible message, the Meckidz team is hard at it, the Guest Services team is planning to deliver on a first rate guest experience.

Lock arms with us people - this is YOUR church, this is YOUR event and most important - this is YOUR God that is going to be introduced to our community in a way that could change their life!

So I ask you again - have you been to the site? And if not (I say this in the kindest way imaginable), get off your duff and start spreading the word! easteratverizon.org

Set List for March 13/14

Your Name High - Hillsong
Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Oh Praise Him - David Crowder Band
Rise and Sing - Fee

Offering:
Our God - Chris Tomlin

Set List for March 6/7

Freedom Is Here - Hillsong United
Here Is Our King - David Crowder Band
Cielo - Phil Wickham
From The Inside Out - Joel Houston

Offering Song:
Take Me There - Watermark

30 days of Prayer

On Easter Sunday, April 4, Meck will host our second Easter celebration for the community at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
Last year's event drew thousands and we hope to make this year's service even larger.
To that end, we are setting aside thirty days of focused prayer leading up to this event, beginning Wednesday,March 3. Starting that day, and for each of the thirty days following, please take our Easter service before God.

The Bible tells us that the prayers of His people are not only heard, but are highly effective. We pray for His will to be done, but God has made it clear that His will is to take the prayers of His people into account and that they should be persistent in their prayers (Ps. 5:3, 17:6, 65:2, Isa. 62:6-7; Mt. 7:7-8, 9:37-38; Lk. 18:1-8; Eph 3:12; Php 4:6, James 5:16). And there can be few prayers that are more pleasing to His ears than for His people to pray that more of His children would come to know Him (Luke 15).

Whether you pray for three days or thirty, here are the five prayer requests we are asking everyone willing to pray for daily:
*widespread inviting of friends to attend
*thousands in attendance
*a true anointing of the Holy Spirit on the arts team as they plan and prepare for the service, as well as on Jim as he prepares and then delivers his talk
*protection of the event itself from any and all disruptions, including technical problems with sound or video, and logistical issues with parking and seating
*good weather

Thank you for joining with us on this adventure! Don't forget to get all the mileage you can out of our website easteratverizon.org and use all the invite tools available there!

Set List for Feb. 27/28

Run - Hillsong
Hosanna - Starfield Version
With Everything - Hillsong

a final word

If there was a list of the best one-liners in the New Testament, much of Paul’s letter to his friends in Philippi would be in it. And a large number of those would come from the final part in chapter four.

As a closing thought to this great little book, I want to highlight just one verse, though admittedly, not one of the more well known ones.

Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (v. 9)

In our world of 24/7 digital news media, social networking, and smart phones with cameras, it is hard to imagine anyone making such a statement.

Think about it: How often does breaking news coverage reveal a public leader, fallen and disgraced? Caught in a lie? Discovered to be corrupt? Ensnared in hypocrisy? It’s an everyday headline on Drudge.

Some would say that such leaders fall victim to the compromises inherent in a highly visible, high profile life. That getting turned sideways is an occupational hazard. That no one can withstand the onslaught of such invasive scrutiny. That a pedestal allows for no variance of character.

So, at first glance, for Paul to make such a statement would seem to be the height of arrogance. Or ignorance. Or insanity.

But there’s more here than a rash, thick headed lunatic.

Paul was a man undeniably gripped by the reality of his relationship to Christ. His life was not lived recklessly, but freely. His was no haphazard expression of faith, but a faith abandoned to all but the One who had saved him. His trust was not measured and evaluated, but childlike and simple.

Paul was a called man: called by name by the risen Lord he was intent to despise. Called to be a different man, given a different mission. A call he answered without hesitation and without reserve. His life was not his own. He had been pursued and overcome and overtaken by the Lord.

The church in Philippi had benefitted directly from the call of the Pursuer and the goal of the pursued by:

what they had learned... understood, formally taught, educated...

what they had received... taken in, things had been done for them...

what they had heard... listened to, overheard, but not yet learned...

what they had seen... been aware of, but not yet received...

Paul was a unified message in his person and in his words and deeds. No mixed signals. No hint of hypocrisy. No guile. No shading of truth. Follow him relentlessly with a camera, post everything you film on YouTube, and nothing he said would be at odds with what he did.

This was the man Paul.

Giving thanks for his friends.

Encouraging his church.

Praying for their love to grow.

Reminding them to live worthily.

Singing the hymn of Jesus’ humility.

Celebrating the work of God in them.

Rejoicing in the Lord.

Gaining the immeasurable worth of Christ.

Reaching toward the goal.

Living up to the truth he had attained.

Rejoicing. Again.

Continuously dwelling on all good, worthy, honorable, pure, lovely things.

Content in all circumstances.

Able to do what is needed because of the strength he has in Jesus.

Supplied by the riches and glory of Christ.

To the glory of God our Father, forever and ever.

Amen.

R

Set List for Feb. 20/21

Say, Say - Kristian Stanfill
All Because of Jesus - Steve Fee
Jesus Paid It All - Matt Redman
No one Greater/Stand - Hillsongs/Fee

Offering Song:
Let Your Glory Shine - Lincoln Brewster

a forgetful God

Among the many stand-out verses in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church is this one found in Chapter 3.

But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” (13, 14)

Memory is a funny thing. Almost randomly, it seems, the mind can recall events from years ago - even the meaningless and trivial - but have difficulty with remembering yesterday. Or an hour ago. Carol’s 95 year old grandpa could tell with brilliant clarity about a tragic flood that happened in 1912, but he couldn’t remember to turn off the oven.

Admittedly, there are some memories we’d like to keep forever. Sweet ones, warm ones. Memories that bring joy and peace.

Others... well, some of those we could do without. Events that caused us pain. Humiliation. Despair. These we’d just as soon never remember again... ever. The ones that gnaw at us. The ones that bubble to the surface at the mention of a word, a verse from a song, a smell, a place, blind siding us. The ones that speak into our ears: You’re nothing. You’re a fool. You’re incompetent, untalented, unacceptable. Small.

Memories, by definition, are what lie behind us. They “were”. They “happened”.

They are not “now” nor “will be”.

But often we are dominated by their presence and influence in our lives.

(Warning: A sports analogy from a non athlete!)

When the star player fumbles, strikes out, blows a lay up, or otherwise makes a miscue in a game, the automatic response from the coach and team is...

“Shake it off.”

You do not want that player haunted by the memory of an error and become defeated and ineffective. You need him to be in the game. You need him to pursue the goal of finishing with a win. You need him to forget it and keep going.

Paul had a lot that he needed to forget.

When you get a minute, read Acts 7:54 - 8:3. It’s the account of the stoning of Stephen and the introduction of a young man named (at that time) Saul, who agreed with his death. Thereafter, Saul began a personal campaign of house to house searches, dragging believers of Jesus off to jail. He “breathed threats and murder” (9:1). He expanded his searches to other cities, with approval from the Jewish council in Jerusalem.

He was very good at what he did. Dark things. Things that you remember long afterward.

Then he met Jesus And because of that, Paul was able to forget. Because God forgets.

Not like we do when we forget where we parked the car, or missed a birthday, or forgot to leave the trash on the curb. Not careless forgetfulness, like some doddering uncle who we all love, but realize “he’s not all there”.

God forgets because He loves us and chooses to forget. Our sins? Gone. As if they never existed. He does this for His sake: He is holy. He can’t look on unholiness. When we turn to Jesus for forgiveness, repent of our wrongdoing and rise to follow His leadership, God can receive us because our sin is forgotten.

Here’s what I mean.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Jeremiah 31:34 I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.

Ezekiel 18:20, 21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten....

God forgives. God forgets. Count on it: it’s erased.

And, like Paul, we are free to “forget what lies behind, reaching forward to what lies ahead.”

So, the next time “what lies behind” wants to rear its ugly head to remind you of something dark, accusing you, dredging up old memories to take you out of the game, remember....

God forgives. God forgets.

R

Set List for Feb. 13/14

Rise and Sing - Fee
God is Alive - Fee
Grace - Steve Gompers

Offering:
How He Loves Us - David Crowder Band version

on your behalf

Philippians 2 is a deep well from which a person can drink long and often. Among its many treasures is a hymn of the early Christian church (vs 6 - 11) celebrating Jesus’ decision to leave His rightful place in heaven to come to earth in the form of a man to suffer the horrible death on a cross as the act of reconciling sinful man to a holy God. It is beautiful verse and stunning in its theology.

Paul uses this (most likely) familiar hymn as a way of encouraging this band of believers to be mindful of the interests and welfare of others. Then. as now, the bent of people is not selflessness. Jesus’ act of humility stands in dramatic contrast to a society that tirelessly promotes “self”.

All our relationships have the capacity to be distorted by self-interest. Because of our sinful nature, we hedge our answers, shade the truth, pose our actions - all to bring us some advantage, some superiority. Even if only for a moment.

It is an endless and empty pursuit, never satisfying the ache it hopes to soothe. We want to matter. We want to be important. We want our hands to make it work. Our words to make it happen. Our lives to be essential.

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good pleasure. (v 13) (... I find it extremely comforting - and sometimes a little disconcerting - to know that God Himself is actively, willfully working in me!)

We get out of alignment when we will and act for our good pleasure; we were not created for that.

Our will cannot make us better. Our actions don’t make us good. Without God, our will is impotent. Without God, our actions are, at best, reckless.

But God is there, working, working, working. Never ceasing. Never giving up. Never accepting “almost”. Never settling for “OK”.

Wonder if you’re important? Wonder if you matter? Wonder if you’re essential? Look at Who is working - right now, and always - on your behalf. Look at what He’s already done - on your behalf. Look at His determination - on your behalf. Look at His faithfulness - on your behalf.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet.... sorrow and love flow mingled down....

On your behalf.

R

Set List for Feb. 6/7

Beautiful Jesus - Kristian Stanfill
Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsongs
My Glorious - Passion
Your Name High - Hillsongs

Offering Song:
Life Light Up - Christy Nockels

a life worthy

When Kristina asked me to write a blog for the month of February, I thought that the book of Philippians might be a great way to spend our time. It is a short, very personal letter from the apostle Paul to the believers in a little city on the main Roman military road running east and west across Greece.

The four chapters of Philippians are rather difficult for people who underline or highlight in their bibles: nearly every verse is memorable and important. Lots of ink needed. (...Not that all scripture isn’t important! It just appears that some books, some verses appeal to us in everyday life on an emotional level more so than others. This is true with Philippians.)

It’s a good read.

So, this week, here’s our key verse (among many key verses): Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (v 27)

If “they will know we are Christians by our love,” then a great way to kill the message is to be unloving.

If our good news, that Christ died for all our sins, is spoken with mixed signals (for instance, which sins we choose to condemn and which ones we’ll overlook) then our news is nothing good.

The implications for our team are clear and many. It’s not who you are on stage that is the measure of who you are. The stage - whether an actual performing arts stage or the implied platform upon which we are viewed by others - masks who we are. It is by nature and of necessity, false. No matter how compelling his character, the actor knows that it is not real: only clever lines, make up and wardrobe.

Or, as it applies to most of us: good lyrics, a great hook and the talent to pull off nearly anything in modern music. But, let’s be honest, it’s not who we are.

I sin. You sin. How are we supposed to live lives worthy of the gospel of Christ?

Paul prayed for this church’s love to grow in knowledge and discernment so that the people would be able to determine what really matters and be pure and blameless. (v 9 - 10)

Growing love defines what is important. It helps us see what is truly valuable.

Ask any young parent: What is important, now that you have the responsibility for a baby? Your perspective changes, because love has changed you. You now know what really matters, and what can wait, and what needs to be dropped altogether.

As our love for each other - and the people we lead and serve - grows, what becomes clear is that who we are is more important than what we do. I care about you as a person, a brother or sister in Christ; not because you can sing well, or play, or have technical expertise.

As a team members we have been given both great gifts and great responsibilities. We are called to serve with excellence, but remember that Jesus could ask the rocks to cry out in praise. Usually He doesn’t. He appears to prefer His children over rocks.

But our excellence ought not stop with our craft.

Excellence in life is what God is after: a heart tender toward God, eager to please Him.

Live a life worthy of the gospel. Worthy of the name “Christ follower”.

For we bear His name.

R

Set list for February 1W

No one Greater/Stand- Fee/hillsongs
Your Name High - Hillsongs
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman
Grace - Steve Gompers

Set List for Jan. 30/31

No one Greater/Stand - Steve Fee arrangement (Stand by Hillsongs)
Salvation is Here - Kristian Stanfill
Jesus Paid it All - Kristian Stanfill/Passion Version
tag Stand - HIllsongs

Offering: All Around Me by Flyleaf

What do we know of Holy?

Been in a wrestling match with these lyrics since Brandy sang them so beautifully this weekend. The song is by Addison Road and if it doesn't make you stop and think of what you know of 'Holy', you must not be breathing.
So if you're among the living, take a second to read these lyrics and let them mess you up...in a good way.

What do I know of Holy by Addison Road

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees


(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Set list for January 23/24

In your city - Phil Wickham
Glorious One - Steve Fee
All to You - Lincoln Brewster
Say, Say - Kristian Stanfill

offering:
Your Name High - Hillsongs

closing song:
What do I know of Holy? Addison Road

Expecting Great Things

I read this and thought it was worth passing on for us all to consider...
"'As each one has received a special gift...." When God in his grace sends His Holy Spirit to reside in a new believer, the Holy Spirit gives them their permanent spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These spiritual gifts are exactly that: gifts. No one can work for them, desire them, or deserve them. They are gifts given because of the grace of God; and once given, they are to be opened, investigated, and developed.
Spiritual gifts are not natural talents. All of mankind in every generation since the beginning of our existence has been given natural talents in art, music, building, math, sports, etc., in order to bring grace and beauty to the world in which we all live. Natural talents enrich the soul of mankind. Spiritual gifts enrich the spirit of fellow believers, and bring blessings or conviction of sin to unbelievers, with the hope that they will repent of their rejection of Jesus Christ as their Lord and turn to him as their Savior.
When this spiritual truth becomes our current reality, we will see not only the importance of discovering our spiritual gifts, but the importance of wrapping our lives around them so that we can put them to their proper use within the church for the glory of God and the benefit of others. We will also discover that within the body of Christ, every member has a significant role for the benefit of the whole body."

Have you discovered your spiritual gifts? Not just what you 'like' to do, but the gifts God has supernaturally blessed you with?

How are you honoring God with those gifts? Are you growing in them? Are you stretching yourself in new ways, developing those gifts to their fullest potential? Or are you just giving God what you can do naturally without any effort and expecting Him to be flattered? Ouch.

So...how will you up your game today? What are you going to do or experience to be inspired to greater levels of intimacy with Christ and more thoughtful, targeted development of your God given gifts so that He might be more fully recognized through them?. Make a decision, a commitment towards 'wrapping your life' in the reality of who God made you to be and take a bold next step. Because when we do friends, it's then that we can expect great things.

Set List for January 16/17

Run - Hillsongs
Happy day - Tim Hughes
Your love never fails - Chris Quilala/Jesus Culture
Grace - Steve Gompers

offering song:
Your Love - Chrystina Lloree Fincher

Set lists

We get lots of questions about the songs/versions that we do each week. So a new feature of this blog will be posting the weekend set lists! Hope it serves you well...

Jan. 9/10
God is alive - Fee
let God arise - Chris Tomlin
hosanna - Brooke Fraser/hillsongs united
you never let go - Matt Redman

offering: rise and sing- Fee