Organ-ic Fun

Well, another Organ Stop Pizza Party has come and gone and a great time was had by all. It was hard to know where to focus our attention with all the activity. Whether it was the rotating Wurlitzer, the singing alley cats, the bellowing air currents (I'm talking about the organ) or my personal favorite, the Bubar boys grooving to the Mission Impossible theme, there was a lot of great entertainment and great company. What I want to know is when will we get to see bubbles cascading from the ceiling as Tammy plays?

A Note from Bruce

I hope that your summer is going well. Dee and I just returned from almost a month in China and Australia. During that time I was working with the teachers and their bands and teaching conducting to them. I thought those in the Worship and Arts Ministry might enjoy seeing a few of my photos. I look forward to seeing you in August. Blessings, Bruce

A Techno Editorial

Okay, obviously I'm much more techno-challenged at this than I thought. Geek I am not! The posts for the devotional flip-flopped on me so scroll down first to start and work your way up. It will be interesting to see what we get the next time. Hopefully something more normal.

The Treasure of Worship Con't

Our songs are among the Lord’s favorite keepsakes of our worship. Born from a divinely created heart, offered up with divinely appointed talents and received with divine appreciation, songs of pure worship are saved by God for that moment when we are gathered around His throne, singing His praises in ultimate adoration. Revelation 15:2-3 paints a beautiful picture of the victorious ones standing in heaven and singing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb – beautiful words of pure worship offered up by God’s servant centuries ago. The Lord has kept those words of worship close to His heart all this time in anticipation of this heavenly worship service. Let us sing our songs of worship with the knowledge that perhaps, when our moment comes to stand before the throne, the worship service will contain the songs that our hearts sing to Him now. And when you reach the age of eternity, you and the Lord can explore your box of worship mementos together, tracing your growth, seeing your development and rejoicing over a life filled with the great and marvelous treasures of God.

Food for Thought:

1. Reading Matthew 6:21 and 13:44-46, how do you relate these verses to your life of worship?

2. Reading through Deuteronomy 32:1-14, write down the verse numbers from the Song of Moses which reflect: Who God is: What He has done: Who should benefit from this worship:

3. Following the pattern found in the Song of Moses, write a song of worship to the Lord which He can place in your box of eternal mementos for use in His eternal worship service.

Copyright © 2001 Kimberly Hannay Shoup All Rights Reserved

The Treasure of Worship

Okay folks, here's the first entry on the Worship Life devotional series. Because the note-taking process during the blog training was cut short, I still haven't been able to figure out how to link to the second page. So in order to expedite the process, I'm posting it here in two segments. Just keep scrolling down to finish. (Sorry Tammy -- I'll get it next time!!) If anyone knows how to do it, call me -- please!! Enjoy -- Kim.

Read Deuteronomy 31:30 – 32:14 and Revelation 15:2-3

I have a box of mementos my mother saved for me, from the time I was born through college. She kept these treasures carefully hidden away, taking them out every now and then to look at, cherish and relive fond memories from the times of my youth. And when I had reached an age of maturity, she gave me that precious box and together, we pored over those treasures, laughing and crying, remembering and tracing my growth, seeing my development over the years.

God too has a “box of mementos” filled with the treasures of our worship of Him. These mementos are saved up from the time we are born in Him until we join Him in eternity. This box is also hidden away from our view. Perhaps every now and then, the Lord takes out our boxes to look at and to cherish all the special keepsakes of worship we have offered up to Him over the course of our lives. With great care, He has maintained these special keepsakes of worship. They are precious to Him, so much so, that He makes them a part of His eternal worship.

Todd MacIntyre

We've heard Todd MacIntyre is performing in 50-something showings of "Grease" at the Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria this summer. Here's the link to their website if you'd like more details:

http://www.azbroadwaytheatre.com/

A Life of Worship

Greetings Fellow Blog-readers. Thought I would try my hand at something here which pushes my technical envelope. So here goes...

For those of you who may not be as familiar with me and my literary efforts of the past, I have been singing 2nd Soprano in the choir for about 10 years now. Along about 1998, God began tapping me with what felt like a sledge hammer, suggesting that in order for all musicians to be able to connect head and heart better in their worship leading, having devotionals based on the anthems we performed would be good way to make that connection. While I thought this a very good suggestion, I did remind the Lord to whom He was talking. After all I HATED English in college and actually failed my first term paper. He surely had much better options available to Him to accomplish the task. That being said, it was again strongly suggested to me that I pursue the writing and He would enable even a term paper flunkee.

Now all this background is a rather round about way of getting to the point. While writing the devotionals, I was approached by a new website launch for worship leaders to write a series of devotionals on the worship life. The deal was never realized, but the devotionals were written and have been gathering dust in my inbox for about 7 years now. So... what better venue to give them their public debut, especially in light of Tammy's and Joe's ongoing efforts to get us to rethink our roles and responsibilities as worship leaders.

Keep tuned in here and I will shortly start posting them. Hope they find value in your life as a leader.

Mike Harris

We're hoping you all get to meet and spend time with Mike Harris soon. He's been hired as a worship consultant. The title sounds much too ominous for the work he has already done with us. What a great encourager, coach, mentor, and leader has been to me. I think I spent about 12 hours with him in 3 days--now that's some concentrated consulting! He's helping us bring focus and direction to our ministry as well as energy and excitement. Sounds good, doesn't it? We're in the process of planning the fall calendar and Mike is helping us through the process. I'm excited for everyone to get on board! We're especially hoping we can have 100% participation in our fall advance weekend (still hashing out some dates). It seems the advance has had diminishing participation in past years. We really need everyone to get on the ship because we're planning a great weekend with Mike that will set the tone and direction for the entire year. Spread the word to your non-Blogger friends!

Look for Some New Writers on Kormos

Since I have trouble keeping this blog up to date and especially since I'm going to North Dakota for 3 weeks, I've invited Kim Shoup and Susan Tuten to join as writers. Both of them are highly qualified to contribute. Kim is a prolific
writer--she's currently working on the church history book. Susan was a high school French teacher before having 5 kids whom she now home-schools. Look for their stuff any day. I'll try to throw a posting or two out while I'm on vacation but neither sets of parents are into the internet. We don't know how they live!

Steve Hickok

I happened to be sitting right next to Leah at her desk (we're really close, you know!) when the phone rang. It happened to be none other than former Sunday night worship leader Steve Hickok. I listened in as best I could until she finally put it on speaker phone:) Steve and family are doing well. He and the two boys, Jesse and Luke, are going on a mission trip to Romania in September to do some building projects. He thought of us because he knew we'd been there. Steve will be sending us some information (he couldn't remember the town they were going to) and of course, they're raising support.

As for Shea, here's the link to the blog that has been updated since her accident. Recently, she posted her first writing ever since the blog has always been updated by family members. It's really quite poingnant--here's the link: http://sheahickok.blogspot.com/

July 29th Organ Stop Pizza

Mark you calendars for Sunday afternoon, July 29th. We're planning a social event--I think it's Organ Stop Pizza. Stay tuned for more details.

Any Extra Computer paraphanalia???

Chris and Carol Nahm had a successful trip to the Congo in May. I've heard a rumor that there may be a get-together to hear the highlights. I talked to Chris last Sunday at the Y'all Come Choir and the stories are quite amazing. The good news is they have been invited back on another mission.

One of the projects involves developing classes in many areas to educate the people. They are collecting computer equipment to help get started with some computer training. This could include any kind of computer, monitors, keyboards, laptops, printers, etc. If you have anything you'd like to pass on for a good cause you can drop it by the music office anytime in the next month and Chris will pick it up.

Oh, by the way, they're also collecting books of any kind. You can bring those too.

Jerry Porter

I hear from Jerry Porter once in awhile (former trumpet player extraordinare). I told him I never have to worry that he'll get into trouble because he keeps VERY busy. Here's what he writes:

In addition to my full-time job in public relations at Sun Health, I have a full professorship at Western International University and currently am teaching two marketing courses plus an independent study. I'm also co-chairman of the departments of Business, Public Administration, Health & Human Services and Supply Chain Management plus co-chair of the University Academic Council (comprised of all academic department heads).

Throw into this the fact I'm public- affairs officer and assistant aerospace education officer for cadets for Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302 of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. I've been flying the past two Sunday afternoons and am scheduled to do so this Sunday afternoon checking for accidents, stalled vehicles, roadway debris, etc., along I-17 or Route 87 for ADOT. It certainly gets hot sitting in those non-air-conditioned single-engine planes for three hours while getting bounced around by heat thermals.

Whew! Makes me tired! If you see Jerry around on Sunday mornings make sure to say "hi."

More Back Problems

I talked to Pete Megyesi (bass) yesterday and his back is still painful. He's been in this condition since spring and 3 injections have not provided any relief. Boo-hoo. Bob Kenrich had this problem last fall and the injections worked for him. Not so for Pete. The next step is the insertion of a titanium plate to prop up his vertebrae. How's that for technical talk? Fortunately, Pete's been able to walk and work even though he's in constant pain. I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers for some relief.

Susan Tuten Won the Guessing Game

Did you see who Susan guessed for the extreme biker? It's none other than the guy we keep caged up on Sunday mornings--Chad Salsbury. Here's another photo from a previous race. I hope he doesn't wipe out and hurt those drummer hands because we'd be up a crick (is this a word?).

Pray for Linda M

I just talked to Linda Muhlenfeld. She had E-coli on June 22nd and has been dealing with this ever since. After the first bout of hospitalization, she had a recurrance and is back in the hospital this week. She also has a knee problem which the doctor would like to take care of before she goes home. Pray for her speedy recovery and complete healing! She's at Scottsdale North on Shea in room 5312 if you'd like to call and cheer her up.

July Birthdays

Here are the July birthdays in our Kormos. If you happen to see one of these people around campus you can wish them a happy one!

Marcia Meyers 7/12
Betty Black 7/18
Lisa Elliott 7/19
Gary Albin 7/22
Danielle Cleveland 7/29
Jack Hart 7/31

Click here to send a Dayspring ecard.

Guess Who?!!

Is this what they call "mountain biking?" This person in our kormos is training 15 hours a week for a big race at the beginning of August. Any guesses who?

Heeeeeere's Caleb!

Remember I told you about Caleb Wanzer, summer tech intern? Well, look for him on the platform tomorrow, July 8th. He's going to be playing acoustic guitar with us in the morning. His guitar playing got a thumbs up from Joe so we're glad to have him on double duty--tech team and rhythm section. It's too bad he has to go back to Oklahoma in the fall to finish high school. We could use him around here all year round!

Nixons

The Nixons are set to move on July 20th and 21st. They have some help lined up but they could probably use a few extra hands to make light work--especially since it's the hottest time of the year! Could you help at 7:30 am on Saturday the 21st? Also, Joyce Page and Nancy are going to move the food and dishes on Friday so maybe a few women helpers would be good. Let us know if you're available. Nancy is not supposed to be lifting anything due to her back problems.

Check out the Meyerings

Here are some photos of Harold and Margaret Meyering's Bed and Breakfast in Oregon. It looks like I want to go!

Sweat equity here I come!
I'm sure Harold did all the woodwork.
Looks like I could just sit down and have a meal!

Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast
17290 SW Alvord Lane
Beaverton, Oregon 97007
480-390-1442
Cornerstonebedandbreakfast.com

Click here to read their monthly newsletter.

Saddlback Purpose Driven Worship Conference

Benn Smith turns 5o at Saddleback! Thanks to Curt Huette, his vision is much improved!!
The Larson and Tuten women. Bringing up the next generation of Worship Leaders.

Campfire at the beach--campfire songs and sharing.
Worship session with choir, orchestra, vocals.
This is some of the group that attended. Missing from this photo are Kelly Crum, Janice Cook, Vincent Coppola, Larry and Gina Anderson, Budge and Elsie Gonsor, Jim and Kelli Taggart, and Sean and Catie Johnson. Note the person in the center back next to Joel Maupin is my brother, Monte, from North Dakota!

Saddleback painter creating the face of Jesus during worship.
A view of the worship center with the windows overlooking the beautiful wooded canyon.
Some of our group in the worship service.