Where i Am

A worship curator

I have been reading and pondering the idea of the value of artists and the arts in our community worship gatherings. As I walk down this road, I am more inclined towards creating a position for a worship gathering curator than I am for a "producer", maybe we need both, I'm not sure. A curator is someone who is cultivating and helping to create environments. Their work is felt but not seen. Still thinking...

In hopes to help people enter past only using their reasoning function in worship gatherings, this Sunday we are using a variety of tools to help facilitate this. As we focus on Pslam 77 through the lens of Walter Bruegeman's three movements of the Psalms, we have:

1. created a prayer station that is simply a table in the back, with black cloth on it, two bowls: one with rocks and one with water, as well as a stack of blank index cards and pens. A sheet of instructions on it will state - “Please use these rocks to reveal struggles in your life to God. Use the water as a representative of your baptism and the index cards to write out memories of how God has healed struggles in the past as a way to enter the hope of Christ now and in the future.”

2. Asking people to take a rock from that station and hold it with them through out the service. Those rocks represent what we have brought in with us, specifically our struggles. There are always struggles, some of them are personal to our specific situation, some of them are situations that are near us that we bear as well.

After a congregational reading of Psalm 77 we are asking for people let the weight and substance be a reminder to them of the reality of their struggle. Then to sit with that reality, look at it, perhaps name it. Then as we move through the time of worship and on into teaching for them to allow God to speak to them through the reality of that experience.

3. The music arrangements that we are doing are more blues in reference. Using only electric guitar and drums and synth. A harsher, sadder, more visceral experience.

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Mumford and Sons - reckless and hopeful

 

Last night, my wife, Page and I were among the few lucky people to cram into a tiny bar, called The Record Bar and witness/participate with the band Mumford and Sons.  This group of guys are in their 20's and they play loud, rambunctious bluegrass/indie folk music.  All four sing in harmonies, and man let me tell you, it is all or nothing with this group.   Awesome.

Most folks in the room knew the lyrics and tunes to the songs.  Because of that, what ensued was a two hour dancing, stomping, clapping, group sing with the energy of a stampede.

The lead bloke (this is an English band by the way) is a fellow named Mumford.  The word on the street is, his folks helped start the Vineyard Church in England.  This seems to be confirmed by two good friends who are national leaders in the Vineyard (Katie Falk and Steve Jones).  If that's true, then Mumford would of certainly grown up around church music and well thought out worship experiences.  I am led to believe after seeing them that, M&S have blended the art of worship music in with performance music.  Which is really the best combo in my opinion.  

Church music is designed to consider the experience of the audience first, the worshipers.  Because of this, transitions and the feeling of the music are important and considered in the building of a worship set. Performance music, because it does not often have to be sung by anyone other than those performing it has the freedom to seek higher ground in it's artistic development.  In other words, it usually produces better songs.

M&S (like others who have gone before them) blends the two.  Their transitions, swells, content of the lyrics and melodies all moved together to produce a well coordinated dance. Brilliant.  Moving.  Compelling. Inspiring. 

I stayed up late thinking about how we need more worship music that blends those two categories.  I became convinced that the place to start is in lyrical content centered on hope.  We need more songs with themes like those found in the story of love conquering death.  Songs and stories that speak of the Church bringing light into darkness.  And music that is epic in patterns and progressions.  For that will be needed in order to accurately reflect the largeness of those themes. 

And then, hopefully more and more we will find ourselves in a small bar (or church) with a large crowd singing at the top of our lunges because we are lost in the brilliant, moving, compelling, and inspiring story of hope we are participating in.

It was a great show.

Communion

This last week we had an "all worship/communion" Sunday. These happen once a month in our youth group. However, this week we wanted to have a non upfront leader/audience experience. Rather, we desired a group involved/ group led time of preparation for communion. The thought was since God is communal (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) our time leading up to during communion should feel communal.

Also, we constructed our time to lead us to communion. Usually we simply have a musical worship time that includes communion at the end. However, this time communion was the culmination of the morning. Everything tied into that story and was leading us to it.

It looked like this:

A meditative version of "All Who are Thirsty" to begin with to bring people in.

A call to worship from part of Psalm 65.

Continued with three more songs concerning God's character, his promise fulfilled in Jesus and repentance.

A person stood up in the group and read aloud the Luke narrative of Jesus' last supper.

After that we opened up the student's center for students to prepare themselves for The Eucharist by visiting one or all or three different rooms.

The room down stairs held a cross with candles and laminated verses around it. People could pray together there or be prayed for by two adults from the congregation prayer team. Meditative music was played in the background.

In the main room there was meditative music and the Luke narrative of Jesus' last supper scrolling through on the screen. This was a room to be alone and meditate.

Upstairs in the loft there were pages of paper and writing utensils so people could journal.

At the end of the time we were all called back and we took communion together as a group in one room.

We ended with a building version of "the wondrous cross".

It felt like a non up front led time. It was like a breath. We were together, we breathed out to the different rooms and breathed back in together for communion. It was very cool to see how the Holy Spirit (in the space that was given) spoke and prepared each student differently for the time of communion we had together.

Darfur Drawn

I have recently been introduced to a website called Darfur Drawn.  On this website are images that were drawn by children in Darfur while Human Rights Watch researchers were talking to their parents.  These images were not prompted, they simply came out of the kids.  They are powerful and disturbing images that tell what it feels like to live in Darfur as a child. 

Right now we're in a series at church with the students on justice.  Below is a slide show I put together for that series this week, using those images from Darfur Drawn, a few slides put together in Photoshop and the David Crowder Band song; 'Surely We Can Change'.   

Just click on the play button below to play the YouTube version.  You'll want your sound up.  If you want a larger and crisper view you can click on the link below the YouTube, it will take about 30 seconds to a minute to load though. 

Download darfur_drawn.mov

 

Selah pt 2

The Selah we had this morning at Hillcrest went well.  The band and I ran it for both Middle and High school.  I was nervous about the Jr. High if it would be to abstract and low energy for them, but I think it was received well.  It didn't connect with everyone, but nothing ever does.  We received some very good feed back from both hours.  It seemed that people did crave that time of pausing and were able to meet with God.  I was just pleased that it went as planned.  The band sounded great, everyone had worked hard on it.  Personally I think I was able to connect to God's presence through it at times.  This being the first time I've done it, my mind was racing with making sure I hit the notes (it takes a different singing style than normal) and that we hit all the right parts at the right time.  I think I'll begin working on a Christmas one. 

My friend and former student Mark Wampler showed up this morning.  It was great to see him, he is recently engaged and traveling through a tremendous season of life.

Here is a copy of the selah service we did this morning.  The Eucharist (Communion) Liturgy came from the Anglican Church in Kenya. 

Hcc youth selah service

 

Behold the Lamb of God/Alleluia [Everyone]

Behold the Lamb of God,

Behold the Lamb of God.

He takes away the sins,

The sins of the world.

 

Prayer [Everyone]

Eternal God and Father,

We thirst for your love,

We long for your presence,

We yearn for your peace.

Come, Lord, restore us that we may live to your glory;

Through him who gives us the water of life,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

 

Christ Before Me [Everyone]

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I rise.

Christ in my journey,

Christ in my heart.

Christ go before me,

Christ be my shield.

Christ deep within me,

Christ in my hear.

 

No one like You/Hallelujah [Everyone]

There’s no one like You, Jesus.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

 

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

 

Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

 

Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For he commanded and they were created.

And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

 

Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

 

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

 

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his majesty is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of

Israel

who are near to him.

 

Praise the Lord!

 

Sing Alleluia [Everyone]

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Sun, moon and stars rejoice on high

Praise to the Lord of Light Divine

 

Chorus:

Sing alleluia, sing alleluia

Praise the Father above, sing alleluia

Sing alleluia, sing alleluia

For His infinite love, sing alleluia

 

Praise to the Giver of Good Things

Merciful Father, Holy King

Join with the angels, sing out loud

Praise Him who reigns above the clouds

 

Bridge:

Girls Guys

Praise Him, (when the morning comes)

Alleluia, (For the rising sun)

Praise Him, (When the day is done)

 

Alleluia, (Praise the Lord of Love)

Praise Him, (Alleluia)

Alleluia (Alleluia)

 

 Everyone

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Silent Prayer [seven minutes]

 

Bless The Lord [Everyone]

Bless the Lord, my soul,

And bless God’s holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul,

Who leads us into life.

 

Poem [Leader]

Whether I kneel or stand or sit in prayer,

I am not caught in time nor held in space,

But thrust beyond this posture I am where

Time and eternity come face to face;

Infinity and space meet in this place

Where crossbar and high upright hold the one

In agony and in all Love’s embrace.

The power in helplessness that was begun

When all the brilliance of the flaming sun

Contained itself in the small confines of a child

Now comes to me in this strange action done

In mystery. Break me, break space, O wild and lovely power. Break me: thus am I dead,

Am resurrected now in wine and bread.

- Madeleine L’Engle

 

Celebration of Communion

Leader: Almighty God, Owner of all things, we thank you for giving up your only Son to die on the cross for us who owe you everything. Pour out your refreshing Spirit on us as we remember him in the way he commanded. On the same night that he was betrayed, he took bread; and gave thanks; he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

People: Amen. His body was broken for us.

Leader: In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; this is my Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

People: Christ has died

Christ is risen

Christ will come again

Leader: We are brothers and sisters through his blood

People: We have died together,

We will rise together

We will live together,

Leader: Therefore, heavenly Father, hear as we celebrate this covenant with joy, and await the coming of our brother, Jesus Christ. He died in our place, making a full atonement for the sins of the whole world, the perfect sacrifice, once and for all. You accepted this offering by raising him from death, and granting him great honor at your right hand on high.

People: Amen. Jesus is Lord

Leader: This is the feast of victory

People: The Lamb who was slain hasa begun his reign. Hallelujah!

Come to the Feast of the Lamb

Leader:

Come to the table you broken and poor

The weak and the weary who hunger for more

This is the welcome you’re searching for

Here at the feast of the Lamb

 

Leader:

Come to the banquet find what you seek

There’s wine for the thirsty and bread for the weak

Here at the table it’s Love that you meet

Come to the feast of the Lamb

Chorus [everyone]:

Gather round, and join hands at the table

Gather round, join the people of God

Gather round, join the choir of Angels

Come to the feast of the Lamb

 

Leader:

Whatever your language, your color of skin

Whatever the trouble you find yourself in

Here’s where the Story of stories begins

Here at the feast of the Lamb

 

Chorus [everyone]:

Gather round, and join hands at the table

Gather round, join the people of God

Gather round, join the choir of Angels

Come to the feast of the Lamb

 

Leader: I am because we are

People: We are because he is

Leader: We are one body

People: We share one bread

Leader: draw near with faith

People: Christ is the host and we are his guests

Communion

In Christ Alone [Everyone]

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

 

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

 

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Brought with the precious blood of Christ

 

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

 

Leader and People:

Almighty God, Holy Father, we have sat at your feet, learned from your word, and eaten from your table. We give you thanks and praise for accepting us into your family. Send us out with your blessing, to live and to witness for you in the power of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, the first born from the dead. Amen.

 

Leader: All our problems

People: We send to the cross of Christ.

Leader: All our difficulties

People: We send to the cross of Christ.

Leader: All the devils works

People: We send to the cross of Christ

Leader: All our hopes

People: We set on the risen Christ!

 

Benediction [Everyone]

May your heart find grace,

may your soul know peace,

may your mind be renewed.

And may your eyes see the light, may your ears hear the glory, of Jesus Christ in our midst.

 

Selah

After experiencing Jeff Johnson's Selah services for the second time last weekend and some long talks with him about how those are born.  I have put together one that we will be attempting to divulge this Sunday with both the middle and high school students at Hillcrest Covenant.  I'm excited about this and pray the Lord will use it to give those of us in the room a pause in our lives that will bring God's presence deeply. 

It took a long time to put together all of the prayers and psalm readings and songs (some Johnson's, some Taize, some original and some contemporary) and rehersal last night went well but to pull it off seamlessly will take some more practice between now and then.  One of the things I like so much about the Selah is the lack of attention on the front.  It less about a personality driven worship experience.  It seems to allow more direct connection between the community and God. More on this after Sunday.