So... I'm taking a course called Essentials Red. I'm having a wonderful time learning about the history of worship and being challenged to bring the gems of our tradition into the creativity of our present. I found that this course has brought back a freshness to preparing a service. It is amazing how easy it is to get caught in a liturgical rut of sorts. The languages of worship and thinking about them all as I plan worship is wonderful and refreshing.

This mornings worship service at our church was an excellent example of how a variety of worship languages being used at one time can exponentially increase the impact. We enjoyed listening to old Hymns repackaged into a nice blues-rock tone (Uncloudy Day), drama, testimony, prayer, scripture, preaching, missions update, Remembrance moment and offering. All the elements were weaved together around the core theme, "Joy Filled Living."

The Joy of the LORD was in our service... I always love it when God comes to church!

This morning was also special because I had the privilege of having a dear friend take part in the service. My good friend Bim (Turner) Ingersoll has decided to tour again after 21 years and he kicked it off at our church last night. Bim and I served on a mission project back in 1989.

The Worship Band had a pretty easy morning. We only did an opening song and a closing number. They were:

- In The Secret (Andy Park)

- Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Elisha Hoffman,  Arr. by K Parks)

I will be posting the words and a rough (very rough) mp3 this week of a song I've been working on... I would love any feedback I can get on it.

Cheers,

Kurt