Easter Sunrise Service 2010

First, I sincerly hope everyone is having a wonderful Spring Break (that is unless you went somewhere tropical and did'nt invite me, then I hope it rains every minute! Just kidding, enjoy the tropics while I actually enjoy good WI weather). This Sunday we celebrate Jesus' victory over sin and death FOR US ALL. We will be having two services Sunday, one at the normal 9am time and a Sunrise Service at 7:00am, which is hosted by BLAST. Because of the closeness to Youth Sunday and Spring Break we are trying to run this service with as few students as possible. Tyler Bruggink will be leading worship and I will be giving a message entitled Why Easter Matters. The biggest thing we could really use is for as many families to come out and worship with us. We will worship in the sanctuary and then move into the fellowship hall for a complimentary breakfast afterwards (you can consider this payment for getting up so early!). If you would like to help in another way we could still use a couple of parents to help make egg dishes, and a couple of students to help in the kitchen. Talk to Pastor Andy you can help. Again, the biggest thing is to come and discover why Easter should matter to you each and every day.

Youth Sunday 2010

A big thank you to everyone who helped make Youth Sunday 2010 a morning where God was praised, the Word was wonderfully proclaimed, and people were able to grow closer to God. A ton of pictures, including the big group pics, will be posted sometime soon. Despite a less then good rehearsal, all the music ended up sounding amazing (and that rehearsal will provide a wonderful illustration for my MS message this week, which is on worry). The orchestra, praise band, vocalists, and Junior Choir all really did a fantastic job. Thanks so much to Dan, Julie, Kurt, and Shelly for their great leadership of all the music groups. It was simply awesome seeing so many students (around 100 for Amazing Grace) on stage using their musical gifts for God.

I was also really proud of all those who helped deliver the message, based on 1 Peter 4:7-11. The content was deep, Biblical, and relevant, and it was obvious the students really put the time in to let God's Word be their guide. I've heard a lot of congregation members (of all ages) already expressing that the message really challenged them, so extremely great work.

Many people have asked about the song Prayer for Taylor. It was written by Michael W. Smith and performed with the Irish Film Orchestra on his album Freedom. It is available on ITunes and in many Christian bookstores and websites. With its soaring melody it really serves as a reminder that God desires to have us soar to be with Him in heaven, that death is not a sad end, but the beginning of an eternity with our Lord.

Youth Sunday Set-list
Days of Elijah: Robin Mark
Sing Sing Sing: Chris Tomlin
Inside Out: Hillsong United
Take It All: Hillsong United
Prayer for Taylor: Michael W. Smith
Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone: Chris Tomlin (arrangement Sunday by Michael W. Smith)

Youth Sunday and such

Its been a really bust time around our ministry, so busy that I have not been able to get on here as much as I would like. Fortunately, busy also = excitement around here. We continue to smash attendence and involvement records with our middle school ministry, and are busy trying to brainstorm ideas for how to handle our ever growing group (so, if you have a large building in the Hingham area you would love to give away, or an extra say $250,000 lying around, we would love to take them off your hands!). For the first time since I've been in ministry it seems we have actually stuck to our message schedule this year, and we've been able to have some great Bible based conversations about things that are very relevant to our students.

Tonight 13 students and three adults get to attend the Rock and Worship Roadshow in Madison, featuring bands like David Crowder, Mercy Me, Fee, and Family Force 5. Should be an awesome show. Sunday is the monster event known as Youth Sunday, and I'm just crazy thrilled and the number of students who are going to be serving God through their various gifts that morning. Our students praise band, singers, orchestra, and junior choir will all be leading worship, and our junior class will be presenting a message called Discover Your Shape, based on 1 Peter 4:7-11. Should be a really exciting morning. Below are the times we need people to arrive on Youth Sunday.
Tech people: before 7:45am
Orchestra: 7:38 for tuning, rehersal begins right at 7:45am
Singers: 8:00am
Praise band: 8am
Speaking parts: 8:20am
Greeters/ushers: 8:35am
Everyone needs to be in the choir room at 8:50 to walk in.