Whew! What a Day!

Those of us who made the five services this last Sunday are all saying this in unison. There are definite advantages to doing five services. The main one being "it just keeps gettin' better and better" (is this an old Gaither song?). The orchestra gets tighter and the choir gets looser--how good is that? Kenn Sanders (wife Sharon plays sax in the orchestra) said after the last service that we opened a can of worms because his keen radar detected that the Sunday night crowd enjoyed the choir and orchestra. I guess they've never had the curtain open on a Sunday night so it was like walking into "a whole new world" (Disney song from Aladdin). Imagine that! Seriously, aside from my house being trashed, it really was an exhilerating day. It began a little frantically but as the songs become more familiar it got a lot more fun and a lot less scary. Scott WB said we all spent first service looking around at each other to make sure we were in the right place at the right time. Did anyone else have a good time worshiping 7 hours in one day? Many thanks to everyone who gave their day to ministry and leading others in celebration. It was well worth the sacrifice. Oh, and the best part-- I stayed away so long my family had the house cleaned up by the time I got home!

What to Wear--Sunday, October 29

This celebration Sunday we will be wearing bright solids. Don't forget we will be singing all 5 services. Here's the list of "what not to wear":

• t-shirts
• jeans
• spaghetti straps
• halter tops
• skirts above the knee
• flip-flops
• extra tight clothing
• large patterns--flowers, stripes, etc.
  

Be Secure, People!

We're not talking eternal security of the believer here--we're talking purses! Unfortunately, blame it on the fall of man, we've had a rash of theft on campus recently. Just a friendly reminder to really keep your valuables nearby at all times. We've had a purse stolen in the past and it could easily happen again. If you see someone you don't know in the back, you can always be friendly and ask if they need help. This usually scares prowlers away pretty well!

Prayer at 6:30 on Wednesday

Just a quick reminder that a group of faithful intercession kormosians (don't look that up in your Greek lexicon) meet every Wednesday night in the lobby. Dave Van Vleet and his team are there for 30 minutes before choir/orchestra praying for our church, our ministry and whatever else comes up. I know its hectic to get home from work, eat dinner and get to church by 6:30 but if you could spare the time I'm sure it would be rewarding.

Comments-And lo, Do Not Be Afraid!

We've been noticing that there aren't many comments on this blog so far. Boo hoo--we're not hurt or anything. I read blogs all the time and never comment. But....just wanted to let you know that you can click on the "comment" button any time and type a message. For example, if you read the article on Betty Beran's prayer request, it might be nice to offer her words of encouragement and let her know various ones of us are out there in cyberspace reading her story. Just a thought... It could be a nice communication tool and a quick way to let people know you're thinking about them and praying for them. Try it!

Southern Gospel Quartet is Comin' To Town

Linda Stromberg, our Recreation Kormos leader, has invited us to another musical event. Here's what Linda says:

The Palmetto State Quartet will be in concert in Phoenix next Monday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm at Phoenix Christian Assembly, 2030 North 36th Street, Phoenix. Paul and I had the opportunity to hear them in Nashville just a week ago and THEY ARE GREAT!! The concert is free--an offering will be taken. If you like Southern Gospel this is a not to miss event. If you're not sure if you like Southern Gospel, come along and find out. We are planning to go and are encouraging "y'all" to join us. This church is also hosting the Florida Boys, another gospel quartet, on November14th and the Statesmen Quartet in January.

Paul and Linda Stromberg480-585-7398 (home)480-315-3359 (Linda-work)

For further info go to palmettostatequartet.com. Click on appearances for the map to Phoenix Christian Assembly. For sample music, click on promotional materials/music downloads.

Sunday, October 15

The choir and orchestra will serve together this Sunday the 15th.
Attire: fall colors - men, please wear longsleeved shirts with a tie - no jackets.

Songs: Courtyard: Orchestra - Fanfare on Lobe den Herren
O For 1000 Tongues
Everlasting God
“His Life for Mine” – Kelli w/Choir & Orch
The Power of the Cross
My Savior, My God
You Are My King

Hymnfest! Friday 10/13

Come celebrate the history of the hymns, Friday night at 7 p.m. (call time 6:30 p.m.). There'll be lots of singing, hymn stories and requests from our hymnal.
We'll sit mixed in the choir loft. Attire is dressy casual. The Hymnfest will last one hour. Invite your family, friends and neighbors.

See you all there,
Leah

Have You Prayed for Your Church Today?

Pray, pray, pray--it's the least--and most we can do. Larry Anderson has challenged us to lift up Jesus every time we're together. Have we lifted him up in choir rehearsals, orchestra rehearsals, in worship services, in our homes and in our workplace? Take a moment to pray that our ministry lifts up Jesus in a mighty way each and every day. It's the least we can do! Our intercession kormos met on Wednesday night to brainstorm our prayer tactics. Our weekly prayer gathering is still meeting at 6:30 pm in the narthex each Wednesday. Also, Susan Blair will be collecting prayer requests and posting them here on the blog. If you have a request you can send it to susanblair2005@yahoo.com. Pray without ceasing!

Secrets, Secrets, Secrets...

Did your teacher ever tell you that if you had something to say, you should say it to the whole class? Well, this is going to be an exception. I'm going to whisper in your ear the meaning of "kormos." Shhhh......don't tell anyone. I'm just checking to see who's paying attention here. It's the Greek word for "body." Do you remember the opening night speech? We are all members of one body--kormos--and we all have gifts. Well, now's the time to use them. We're all encouraged to minister to one another with our unigue gifts so that our body is strengthened. Don't tell...but now you have the inside scoop!

Transformation Kormos--Your Time is Comin'!!!

I've already mentioned kudos to the recreation and provision kormos groups for their super work on the Advance weekend. Just to let you know that the kormos teams are alive and well, we just had a meeting yesterday regarding the campus Christmas decoration plan. Tranformation kormos--it's October.....but Christmas is comin'. We're talking about southwestern looking vignettes placed in three different locations around campus to house the instrumentalists I just mentioned in the last posting. Picture arbors, luminaries, heaters, music, something hot to drink and maybe a petit four (or two!). Our creative director for Christmas, Kim Larson, has likened it to Christmas at the Botanical Gardens. Ever been there? Resident CAD experts Joel Maupin and Kenn Sanders are possibly at the computer this instant cooking up the drawings for these venues. All this to say, we'll be looking for helpers around Thanksgiving to begin this transformation process. We're also looking at putting the alpine trees (all 5,888 of them!) in the window wells of the narthex. So much to do and so little time--and money. Stay tuned for more updates. I'm excited to see this new look!

Do you know any ethnic instrumentalists?

Just curious if you know any people who play some far out kinds of instruments. How about the zither, dulcimer or didgeridoo? We would like to have some instrumentalists playing while people gather on campus for the Christmas musical. As soon as people walk on the property we would like to infuse them with the theme of peacefulness. What better way than to provide peace than through music? So far we're looking at guitar, violin, recorder, Indian flute and harp. Please respond if you have any ideas. Time to jump outside the box!

Are you scared now?

I have to admit I loved singing with Stan Endicott on Saturday. For one, I don't often get to stand and sing with a choir anymore. For the other, I loved the passionate, free spirit of singing with reckless abandon and not worrying about note after note. Personally, I'm hoping we sing this way in heaven. Revelations says we will sing "holy, holy, holy" over and over. Hopefully there won't be too many rehearsals and we'll just get to sing, sing, sing. I guess we'll all find out some day. I'm on the bus--are you?

Anyway, I understand that not everyone's personality latches on to "reckless abandon" as quickly as I do. Granted, this "mosh-pit" style singing will be difficult for Joe, Kelli and the rest of us to implement. What do you think? I'd like to hear some comments.

It's October...but Christmas is coming!!

How many of you remember Tony Campolo's comic-inspirational sketch "It's Friday.....but Sunday's comin"? His sketch had to do with the resurrection but I think the saying works for our Christmas program. Did you all get to hear Kim Larson's introduction of the Christmas program? I think those that saw her presentation on Saturday morning were really pleased with the ideas and music which being generated. Btw, Kim Larson is a worship leader on Sunday night with Sean Johnson, for those of you who aren't familiar with her. Those of us in the office forget that you are not acquainted with her because we work with her all week long. Forgive us for not introducing her more appropriately. Anyway, you can start praying for this program to have an impact on our people as well as the world around us. And....don't forget. Be a soldier and not a journalist for the kingdom.........

Thanks!!!

Many thanks to the kormos groups that served our body this past weekend at the advance. Linda Stromberg and her recreation team headed up the desserts on Friday night. Weren't they fabulous--tortes, pies, cakes, cookies--what more could you want? Jacque Surrett's provision kormos hosted the breakfast on Saturday morning. Have you ever seen so much good food on a church patio before? A big thank you to each of the members who enhanced our weekend with these special touches. Keep up the good work!