Today's services were a bit different for me. I did not lead worship but instead had Sheila Pierce lead our congregation in worship. She did an awesome job as usual. We started the services with baptism, which is always so encouraging to see. Then we headed into worship where we did these songs:
1) Bless His Name (Vineyard)
2) Everlasting God (Brenton Brown)
3) From the Inside Out (Hillsong United)
4) I Give You Everything (Dell Wilson and Jan Owen)
For the sermon we tag teamed once again as we called our church to a corporate fast and time of prayer. Richard explained what fasting is and is not as well citing some biblical examples of times that the people of God joined in fasting and praying and how God moved as a result. I shared a word from God and called for us to consider fasting from our own opinions and preferences and desires and to seek the will of God on our faces. Josh brought it home, challenging us to see the possibilities of what our church could become if we took this approach - instead of voicing our own wants and opinions, instead getting on our faces and praying. We asked the question "What needs to die in each of us so that we could be completely open to the will of God?". I will be sharing more about this tomorrow in my next post.
We closed the service asking people to go to the back of the room and write on a green arrow what they would commit to fast from. We also had prayer calendars people could sign to commit to pray on a particular day for the church. While they were responding we had Sheila Pierce and Nancy Smith sing "Come and Listen" (Crowder) while Bill McMahan and Mary Balch played keyboards and piano.
It was a good day, a day that I believe we really heard from God. Check back tomorrow night to hear what I taught on - fasting from our opinions and feasting on the will of God.
How was your day? What did God say to you today?
**This post is a part of Sunday Setlists over at www.fredmckinnon.com**
Love the idea of the papers for them to write on... Arrows... Ours is a low-budget church, with high participation. So we are always looking for creative ways to facilitate their willingness to participate! Thanks!
Posted by: mandythompson | October 26, 2008 at 01:50 PM
"What needs to die in each of us so that we could be completely open to the will of God?"
I'd say my schedule (or something like that). I'm going to "fast" from my BlackBerry this coming week, I think. Quite seriously. And traditional fasting is not far behind.
I want to hear a recording of that original song!
Services were fantastic today at Wall Highway! Best corporate time of genuine praise in quite a while. Not that we've been particularly lacking, but it was really good to be there and be a part of it today. Leading was icing on the cake (or "gravy," as rednecks say). As soon as Fred McKinnon gets the weekly link-back thing going I'll post a wrap-up.
Posted by: Dean Lusk | October 26, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Great interactive element.
Posted by: dorothy (vicar of vibe) | October 26, 2008 at 03:10 PM
I was singing Everlasting God all week, but never considered it for the list this week. Several lists included it. I don't regret not having put it in the list, but find it curious that it's on so many minds this week. Cool.
Posted by: windbag | October 27, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Fasting from opinions! That sounds like a worthy pursuit for me too! I've been thinking about fasting lately, & praying some about just what I could fast from.
Posted by: Amanda | October 27, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Sounds like a great morning.
Posted by: Tyler | October 27, 2008 at 06:38 PM