Church services for 7 June, 2009

The Queen's Birthday weekend is on us again, and with it a changed congregation population. Many of our regulars were away and there were also some visitors to Ballarat. Both the full time ministers were also away so the services had different flavours to them.
The morning congregation was blessed to hear from a member and elder who has just returned from a men's conference in South Africa. Many men in particular were quite moved.
We anticipated the night service to be halved in numbers and it was. So the move to the old church hall was a good one. It felt cosy, and full and with a good atmosphere, I think.

10am morning service
Salvation Belongs to our God
Sing to the Lord (Fellingham)
For the Cause
Welcome/Mission Spot
Man of Sorrows
Prayer/Communion
Reading/Sermon
Our God is an Awesome God

I am really appreciating the crafting that has been going on with the songs and between the songs lately. That little effort really makes all the difference. More power to you! Nice work with making one verse of the hymn acapella without the words for the congregation, and the last song with only organ for one time. And I'm glad you felt comfortable changing the song order too when you felt you needed to.
Like I mentioned, the micing of the piano is making it sound really good.
The rehearsal worked well, didn't it? Although it started late (which will be rectified soon, with new structure to come) all was accomplished, wasn't it?
The only suggestion I had was that I thought that the band could have played heavier in the first few songs. The sound level was good, but I thought it could have been more rocky in feel. I'm also aware that this band isn't used to playing together all the time, and I think I will cement the bands more next roster. But otherwise beautifully played.
Let me know what you thought. I thought also that your playing contributed to the corporate worship of the congregation, and that is what we're looking for isn't it!

6pm night service
DVD/welcome
Holy is the Lord
Sing to the Lord (Awaken the Dawn)
Here is our King
worship thoughts
DVD - Louis Giglio
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
Amazing Love (You Are My King)
Communion/Prayer

As this blog is aimed for people who were involved, I won't go into an lengthy explanation about what happened. Suffice it to say that it was a collection of thoughts about worship and its role in everyday life. The sermon series it was based on was "Soundtrack" by Louis Giglio: "If life was a movie, then the story is about God and worship is the soundtrack".
Thanks to those who participated. It was intentional that it wasn't the usual teams running everything. It was fantastic to see new faces and not so new faces doing different things!
I was happy with the service, and I'd like to say thanks a lot to the techies in particular, and to the worship leader who crafted the music worship really thoughtfully.
I'd love to hear your feedback on what you thought and what we can learn from this for future services.

Love you all, what a privelege we have in being able to mould our crafts for worship and leading others! Have a blessed week.
Sarah