THOUGHTS ON WORSHIP

Greetings my friends,
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How are you all doing this week? I hope and pray that you are all well and having a good week. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I continue to be blown away by the way the wind of the Holy Spirit blows through our church body. Sometimes it feels like a hurricane. Other times like a gentle breeze. My desire is that we all continue to fall head over heels in love with Jesus, and then express that love somehow in our worship of Him (words can't even describe that love and gratitude many times).

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Please find attached the Sunday map for this weekend. You will notice that many of the songs are the same ones we did on Easter Sunday. There is a purpose for that. Brett will be giving the last message of the "Living In The Dash" series and wanted us to end the series similar to how we started it, really focusing on the resurrection of Christ.
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I'll see you all first thing on Sunday morning. May our Father grant you a great rest of the week. Please feel free to shoot me any prayer requests that you have for the worship team to pray over.
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Blessings,

Christian

THOUGHTS ON WORSHIP

Greetings fellow co-laborers in Christ,
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Isn't it interesting on Sunday mornings how our time of worship can be totally awesome and Spirit-led Sunday after Sunday, yet look and feel different from one Sunday to the next. The Sunday before last I felt that the people were freely worshipping in the presence of the Lord as soon as they entered the main sanctuary. This last week I sensed a heaviness, as though many were burdened during the time of worship until after the message while we were leading the last few songs, where I very strongly sensed the Holy Spirit's presence. I find it really interesting. The Sunday before last you could sense the Spirit of God moving so strongly during the entire service, and our tendency would be to say, "Let's do it like that every Sunday," or "It should look like that every time," almost as if the bar had been set by what happened that morning. I think we ought to kick against that line of thought for two reasons: (1) If a Sunday morning didn't look like that particular Sunday two weeks ago, people could experience somewhat of a letdown, almost as if "God didn't really show up that Sunday." Basing our sense of the Spirit of God moving on a "feeling" that we had could be dangerous and putting God in a box. The truth is, the Holy Spirit is always at work during the worship service and we should never leave on Sunday feeling letdown, but edified. (2) There is a chance that we could try to force the hand of God, or try to manufacture some kind of experience. This kind of worship leading is not authentic and even dangerous. I say, we just get out of the way, stand back, and see what God does every week, embracing whatever the outcome is.
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In one of the songs I wrote, "You Reign In Majesty," one of the lines says, "we have come to give and not to receive, yet You're so conscious of our needs." That is why we are all worship leaders. That is what worship is about. Ascribing worth and giving honor to our Creator, our God, our Savior, our Friend. Anything or any feeling that comes from that time of worship is just a "perk."
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Anyway, wasn't trying to write a dissertation. I have felt a lot of opposition from the enemy this last week. Some of it through circumstances. Most of it just a strong sense. I believe that we are doing everything right as a worship team. This could possibly be why there is so much opposition. If we weren't making an impact for the Kingdom of God, my guess is that Satan would spend as much time trying to mess with us. Please continue to pray for protection for all of us, for the Whipple Creek Church staff and for all of those who call Whipple Creek Church their home as well as for all of our families. Please let me know if there is anything we can be specifically praying about as a team this week. Love you guys. See you on Sunday.
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Grace and peace,
Christian.

THOUGHTS ON WORSHIP

Hello everyone,
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Last week's time of worship was so sweet. You guys are really bringing it. Thanks. I know that the Holy Spirit moves in and through us as we worship our Father and lead others to His throne. Many of you know that Maria's dad passed away this last week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers, as well as all of the other prayer needs. It often feels as though after awesome times of worship like last Sunday, we get hit hard by things. Our family has been experiencing this as well. Stay on guard against the evil one. He hates what is happening and hates that you are a part of it. May God place a hedge of protection around us all. Blessings on you all and see you on Sunday.
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Grace and peace,

Christian

THOUGHTS ON WORSHIP

Greetings fellow worship team members!
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Baptism Sunday was awesome last Sunday. Thanks Nick and team for leading the worship time while I was in the hot-tub. I was wondering - are you guys continuing to lift each other up in prayer during the week like we had talked about during our devotions last Sunday? Just a reminder to pray for each other during the week. If you think about it, please continue to pray for the healing of my back - it has taken a turn for the worst this last week and I have been a little frustrated with the medical professionals who I am sure have my well being and best interests in mind and not the dollar signs $$$ they see because of my workman's comp. claim (sarcasm intentional). I just found out today how bad my herniated disks really are. Aarrggh. Nothing that the Great Physician can't take care of, though. Love you guys. You are all often in my thoughts and prayers. Talk to you soon.
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Grace and peace,

Christian