Yes! Former worship planner, current musician, worship committee member, and participant. I'm also an encourager to all who lead, plan, and participate in worship in the CRC. It is a worthy (but often demanding) calling.
As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God, by Eugene Peterson. This is a collection of sermons by one of my favorite Christian preachers/authors (who died last year). There are 7 groups of 7 sermons (so 49 in all). Since January I've read several sermons each weekend when I have more devotional time in the morning (since I don't have to get ready to go to work). I love Eugene's Peterson's writing and this collection, like all of his work, is inspiring, challenging, and just plain good!
I'm also reading The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright. (Tom Wright). I love his writing, too, and this book on the Lord's Prayer is less dense than some of his other writing.
Calm, Not Busy, by Kivi Leroux Miller - a book geared to those who work in nonprofit communications. (many good tips).
And then there are the many non-serious fiction mysteries or thrillers that I read constantly.
Thank you, Michele. This is good information. Thank God for supportive families. I'm grateful that you've shared this so that our church families can also know how to be more supportive.
I agree with most everything said here. And yes, Kristen, this whole thing must look so ridiculous and sad from your perspective there in Canada. I think you're right that we are for immigration and we also want to be safe. So, I wish our elected officials could stop fighting and admit that we need to work for border security, whatever that looks like, and then move on to comprehensive immigration reform which is so desperately needed. Our border patrol people are asking for help - let's give it to them.
This crisis gives the church lots of opportunity for extending pastoral care to the immigrant. When I was young, I remember our church sponsoring a family from Cuba during the Cuban crisis. I think there were many churches in Grand Rapids that assisted families in the many needs they had as they came here. I wonder what it would be like if every Christian church in the U.S. (and Canada) were available to sponsor at least one of the immigrant families as they came through a port of entry? Some churches do that already, but many don't. I wonder if we have enough churches? I think there has to be a way for us to show Christ's love to the immigrant and also secure our borders so that we can live in safety.
The CRC people are very mission-minded and compassionate and I believe we truly want to help in tangible ways. I can imagine my church being able to even sponsor or adopt several families because we are blessed with resources and people- we already send work teams to Guatamala to help the poor there - this would be a way to help with the crisis on this end. Maybe small(er) churches could team up with other churches in their community - including those who are not CRC, for an ecumenical missional 'welcome' to the community. But you're right - we don't know where to start.
I, too, love memorizing scripture and don't do it enough. Quite awhile ago I attended a course taught by Ray VanderLaan and we were given fairly large portions of scripture to memorize each week. After a few weeks, many in the class (including me) were trying to keep up and became overwhelmed. I remember thinking, if I memorize this new passage, I'm going to forget the one I learned last week! But RVL said, don't quit - and don't worry so much about that - if you've memorized it, it's 'there' and it will come back when you need it. I guess that's part of the mystery of trusting that God will hide his word in our hearts when we make our own (feeble) efforts to memorize. This also speaks to why it's so important to memorize with children.
I resonate, too, with the thoughts about putting music to the scripture. My grandchildren and I did this - it was when they were younger and we used to do this often when we were together. It was a great exercise when we did it, and now they have a little collection of scripture songs they 'wrote' together.
This is a great discussion. Up front I'll say that my church is mostly of the 'get dressed up for church' mindset. There is freedom however, to come in jeans or casually dressed which I occasionally do. There is so much more to it than that, though, and I'm appreciating this discussion. If we get dressed up to hide our vulnerability or to make ourselves feel good, then it's wrong. For several years my family sat in the balcony of the church we attended, and let me say that if (when) you are going through a season of suffering or struggle, watching everyone come into church all dressed up, smiles on their faces, and looking 'perfect' makes you feel like maybe you don't belong here. And in reality, that's exactly the opposite of what we want to say as Christians - that none of us have earned the right to be there - we are all broken and in need of grace, forgiveness, and healing. So I agree with several already in this discussion, and would say that heart attitude is far more important than outward appearance.
I remember a situation that happened with a person we'd been inviting to church for a long time but she had never accepted our invitation (she did not go to any church). One warm Sunday morning we'd extended another invitation because my daughter was doing a liturgical dance to The Lord's Prayer - and this person showed up in hot pants and high heels, probably what she thought was the nicest thing in her closet for a warm day. It was surprising on several levels, but we were so delighted to see her there, that we did everything we could to make her feel welcome. It was so much more than outward appearances that day. It was all about caring for her, asking God to touch her heart and soul in places that we couldn't reach, and trusting that the Holy Spirit would speak to her what she needed that day.
I wonder what kind of new 'clothes' we'll wear when we worship eternally in heaven? (fun to think about).
Thanks for this, Kevin. It rings so true, and I appreciate your wisdom. So much healing is needed, and it's important for us as worship leaders to realize that every minute of the service can offer healing. On this same topic (if people want to read more) I'd recommend Howard Vanderwell's book, Caring Worship: Helping Worship Leaders Provide Pastoral Care through the Liturgy, released in 2017. Howard left us a legacy of caring for people and discusses in the book how we can care for each other in each element of the worship service.
Posted in: What Songs Bring You Comfort? Let's Make a Playlist
Oops - this is from Diane Dykgraaf - I forgot to sign off from Worship Ministries and onto my personal Log in.
Posted in: Any Past or Present Worship Planners?
Yes! Former worship planner, current musician, worship committee member, and participant. I'm also an encourager to all who lead, plan, and participate in worship in the CRC. It is a worthy (but often demanding) calling.
Posted in: What Are Some of Your Favorite Worship Songs? Let's Make a Playlist
Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer, by Margaret Becker, Keith Getty
Peace Like a River (It Is Well With My Soul), the hymn
Is He Worthy, by Andrew Peterson
Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glory, (from Rev. 19), A. Jeffrey LaValley
...and whatever is well placed and well led in worship
Posted in: Inspire 2019 in Three Words
Worship-full, connecting, fun!
Posted in: Life, Life, and More Life
You have spoken so clearly on something so important, Sarah Joy. Thank you!
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2019?
As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God, by Eugene Peterson. This is a collection of sermons by one of my favorite Christian preachers/authors (who died last year). There are 7 groups of 7 sermons (so 49 in all). Since January I've read several sermons each weekend when I have more devotional time in the morning (since I don't have to get ready to go to work). I love Eugene's Peterson's writing and this collection, like all of his work, is inspiring, challenging, and just plain good!
I'm also reading The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright. (Tom Wright). I love his writing, too, and this book on the Lord's Prayer is less dense than some of his other writing.
Calm, Not Busy, by Kivi Leroux Miller - a book geared to those who work in nonprofit communications. (many good tips).
And then there are the many non-serious fiction mysteries or thrillers that I read constantly.
Posted in: On Schizophrenia and the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Phenomenon
Thank you, Michele. This is good information. Thank God for supportive families. I'm grateful that you've shared this so that our church families can also know how to be more supportive.
Posted in: Immigration Justice Requires Border Security
I agree with most everything said here. And yes, Kristen, this whole thing must look so ridiculous and sad from your perspective there in Canada. I think you're right that we are for immigration and we also want to be safe. So, I wish our elected officials could stop fighting and admit that we need to work for border security, whatever that looks like, and then move on to comprehensive immigration reform which is so desperately needed. Our border patrol people are asking for help - let's give it to them.
This crisis gives the church lots of opportunity for extending pastoral care to the immigrant. When I was young, I remember our church sponsoring a family from Cuba during the Cuban crisis. I think there were many churches in Grand Rapids that assisted families in the many needs they had as they came here. I wonder what it would be like if every Christian church in the U.S. (and Canada) were available to sponsor at least one of the immigrant families as they came through a port of entry? Some churches do that already, but many don't. I wonder if we have enough churches? I think there has to be a way for us to show Christ's love to the immigrant and also secure our borders so that we can live in safety.
Posted in: Immigration Justice Requires Border Security
The CRC people are very mission-minded and compassionate and I believe we truly want to help in tangible ways. I can imagine my church being able to even sponsor or adopt several families because we are blessed with resources and people- we already send work teams to Guatamala to help the poor there - this would be a way to help with the crisis on this end. Maybe small(er) churches could team up with other churches in their community - including those who are not CRC, for an ecumenical missional 'welcome' to the community. But you're right - we don't know where to start.
Posted in: Some Dos and Don'ts from My Recent Attempt to Memorize Psalm 1
I, too, love memorizing scripture and don't do it enough. Quite awhile ago I attended a course taught by Ray VanderLaan and we were given fairly large portions of scripture to memorize each week. After a few weeks, many in the class (including me) were trying to keep up and became overwhelmed. I remember thinking, if I memorize this new passage, I'm going to forget the one I learned last week! But RVL said, don't quit - and don't worry so much about that - if you've memorized it, it's 'there' and it will come back when you need it. I guess that's part of the mystery of trusting that God will hide his word in our hearts when we make our own (feeble) efforts to memorize. This also speaks to why it's so important to memorize with children.
I resonate, too, with the thoughts about putting music to the scripture. My grandchildren and I did this - it was when they were younger and we used to do this often when we were together. It was a great exercise when we did it, and now they have a little collection of scripture songs they 'wrote' together.
Posted in: What Is the Unofficial Dress Code at Your Church? Does it Matter?
This is a great discussion. Up front I'll say that my church is mostly of the 'get dressed up for church' mindset. There is freedom however, to come in jeans or casually dressed which I occasionally do. There is so much more to it than that, though, and I'm appreciating this discussion. If we get dressed up to hide our vulnerability or to make ourselves feel good, then it's wrong. For several years my family sat in the balcony of the church we attended, and let me say that if (when) you are going through a season of suffering or struggle, watching everyone come into church all dressed up, smiles on their faces, and looking 'perfect' makes you feel like maybe you don't belong here. And in reality, that's exactly the opposite of what we want to say as Christians - that none of us have earned the right to be there - we are all broken and in need of grace, forgiveness, and healing. So I agree with several already in this discussion, and would say that heart attitude is far more important than outward appearance.
I remember a situation that happened with a person we'd been inviting to church for a long time but she had never accepted our invitation (she did not go to any church). One warm Sunday morning we'd extended another invitation because my daughter was doing a liturgical dance to The Lord's Prayer - and this person showed up in hot pants and high heels, probably what she thought was the nicest thing in her closet for a warm day. It was surprising on several levels, but we were so delighted to see her there, that we did everything we could to make her feel welcome. It was so much more than outward appearances that day. It was all about caring for her, asking God to touch her heart and soul in places that we couldn't reach, and trusting that the Holy Spirit would speak to her what she needed that day.
I wonder what kind of new 'clothes' we'll wear when we worship eternally in heaven? (fun to think about).
Posted in: Healing Worship
Thanks for this, Kevin. It rings so true, and I appreciate your wisdom. So much healing is needed, and it's important for us as worship leaders to realize that every minute of the service can offer healing. On this same topic (if people want to read more) I'd recommend Howard Vanderwell's book, Caring Worship: Helping Worship Leaders Provide Pastoral Care through the Liturgy, released in 2017. Howard left us a legacy of caring for people and discusses in the book how we can care for each other in each element of the worship service.