Recently, we started showing a photo-slideshow before the Connections Worship Service. We desire for it to reflect the many people who are involved with Connections and with First Baptist.
We need your help.
In order to show a wide variety of activities and people, we need a lot of pictures. That's where you come in. If you have any pictures that you would be willing to share with everyone, get them to us and we will use them.
If you have them digitally, that's great. Just put them on a cd and give them to any member of the Connect Team.
If you are like me.. (still holding on to film for personal photography) then bring either prints or negatives in an envelope with your name on it and I will scan them into the computer and make sure that you get your prints or negatives back safely.
Either way, please let us know some details of the images (what's going on... events, etc.)
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or head over to the Connections Google Group where I have started a conversation called Connections Photos and join in the discussion. You're more than welcome.
God Bless.
Thomas
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Communion Service
This is a reminder that we will be having a Communion service on Sunday October 19, 2008 in the Christian Life Center (gym). Please join us and then stay for lunch as we break bread with the Lord and then with each other.
Monday, September 1, 2008
How Does Our Worship Music Measure Up
In our Connections worship at First Baptist, we hope the music we share helps us focus our attention on who God is in our lives and how much we need him. In addition to modern worship songs, we include classic hymns as a way to connect with the strong traditions found in worshiping communities all over the world. An article by Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay band member) in CCM Magazine brings perspective to the use of hymns in modern Christian music.
Excerpt from May 2005 "Hymns" issue of CCM magazine:
" " One reason I feel really connected to hymns is that I feel hymns are written for people, basically good people, that need a way to express how much they love God. That's me, people who have limped into church, knowing they really don't deserve much from God. Hymns are written to those kind of people."
It is this phrase "basically good people" that I have found myself wrestling with. You see, I have found that hymns are a particular grace to people who don't feel all that "good." Instead, they meet us in that crucial moment when we first enter church and are reminded we have not been who we had hoped to be throughout the week. "I was not near as faithful, patient, kind, or compassionate as I wanted to be and knew that I should have been." The best hymns confront this need head on, and not only express how great our need is, but what a great Savior we have for our need.
We are at a crucial moment in western church history, and we need more art and music that meets us in this way. Most of our modern "Christian" music assumes too much. We are anything but a group of "basically good people" who just need a new and interesting way to express how great we think God is. We are broken and rebellious people who most often can't hear or see God, much less want to be changed by Him.
Shouldn't the art whose primary purpose is to draw us into worship start here? In fact, if we really begin to unpack much of what Jesus said in his parables and preaching, isn't it this feeling of basic "goodness" that is most often the primary barrier to true spirituality? As American Christians, this should profoundly trouble us and reveal that we must cling to the mercy of God perhaps more than other Christ-followers in the world.
Hidden in this truth is a clue as to why I feel the church right now is hungry for hymns. There is a unique and transcendent beauty in a worship that has its roots connected to the ongoing and ever present work of Christ in the world, yet gives us wings to envision a future even more perfectly shaped into the kingdom that Jesus himself promised would come. When our churches can begin to sow this reality into our hearts, whether it is through teaching, preaching, painting, or song, then it is my belief that we will all taste afresh the freedom that truly makes us free. "
Excerpt from May 2005 "Hymns" issue of CCM magazine:
" " One reason I feel really connected to hymns is that I feel hymns are written for people, basically good people, that need a way to express how much they love God. That's me, people who have limped into church, knowing they really don't deserve much from God. Hymns are written to those kind of people."
It is this phrase "basically good people" that I have found myself wrestling with. You see, I have found that hymns are a particular grace to people who don't feel all that "good." Instead, they meet us in that crucial moment when we first enter church and are reminded we have not been who we had hoped to be throughout the week. "I was not near as faithful, patient, kind, or compassionate as I wanted to be and knew that I should have been." The best hymns confront this need head on, and not only express how great our need is, but what a great Savior we have for our need.
We are at a crucial moment in western church history, and we need more art and music that meets us in this way. Most of our modern "Christian" music assumes too much. We are anything but a group of "basically good people" who just need a new and interesting way to express how great we think God is. We are broken and rebellious people who most often can't hear or see God, much less want to be changed by Him.
Shouldn't the art whose primary purpose is to draw us into worship start here? In fact, if we really begin to unpack much of what Jesus said in his parables and preaching, isn't it this feeling of basic "goodness" that is most often the primary barrier to true spirituality? As American Christians, this should profoundly trouble us and reveal that we must cling to the mercy of God perhaps more than other Christ-followers in the world.
Hidden in this truth is a clue as to why I feel the church right now is hungry for hymns. There is a unique and transcendent beauty in a worship that has its roots connected to the ongoing and ever present work of Christ in the world, yet gives us wings to envision a future even more perfectly shaped into the kingdom that Jesus himself promised would come. When our churches can begin to sow this reality into our hearts, whether it is through teaching, preaching, painting, or song, then it is my belief that we will all taste afresh the freedom that truly makes us free. "
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Three Weeks and Counting!
Three weeks into the revamped Connections worship service, I've a few impressions I would like to share.
Strong Attendance--We're averaging about ninety-two participants each week. That's an outstanding beginning. Guests are joining us in each service as well. We're trying to make contact with each guest, while not making a nusiance of ourselves.
A Hard-Working Team--The planning team has met weekly to talk through ideas for each service. The readings, video clips, drama/monologues, lighting, props and a good bit of the music we've experienced have emerged from these conversations. The worship team and others meet each week to rehearse as well. Our greeters and ushers have been in their places on time, warmly welcoming both members and guests. Connections Worship is a team effort.
More to Come--Phil Potratz and Vickie Willis will soon start to put together our Connect Teams, groups with a mission to connect to guests and members and build fellowship. If you are interested in helping, contact either Phil or Vickie. Don't be too surprised if one of them calls you.
We're also planning the next sermon series, looking toward a service built around the Lord's Supper, and thinking about Advent (yes, it will be here before you know it!).
A Request--Pray that the worship services will continue to glorify God and reach additional persons for God. Take personal responsiblity to meet and get to know guests (or even members you've not met yet). Arrive early and stay late each week. Partnering with one another, and never forgetting to rely upon God, we will connect with God, one another, and God's work in the world.
Strong Attendance--We're averaging about ninety-two participants each week. That's an outstanding beginning. Guests are joining us in each service as well. We're trying to make contact with each guest, while not making a nusiance of ourselves.
A Hard-Working Team--The planning team has met weekly to talk through ideas for each service. The readings, video clips, drama/monologues, lighting, props and a good bit of the music we've experienced have emerged from these conversations. The worship team and others meet each week to rehearse as well. Our greeters and ushers have been in their places on time, warmly welcoming both members and guests. Connections Worship is a team effort.
More to Come--Phil Potratz and Vickie Willis will soon start to put together our Connect Teams, groups with a mission to connect to guests and members and build fellowship. If you are interested in helping, contact either Phil or Vickie. Don't be too surprised if one of them calls you.
We're also planning the next sermon series, looking toward a service built around the Lord's Supper, and thinking about Advent (yes, it will be here before you know it!).
A Request--Pray that the worship services will continue to glorify God and reach additional persons for God. Take personal responsiblity to meet and get to know guests (or even members you've not met yet). Arrive early and stay late each week. Partnering with one another, and never forgetting to rely upon God, we will connect with God, one another, and God's work in the world.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A New Look, A New Group.
The Connections Worship Service has a new logo!
In designing the logo, I took into consideration the principles we are focusing on in the Connections Service and did quite a lot of research, thought and prayer before I decided on the visual approach to take.
In the Connections Worship Service, we desire to Connect to God, each other and the community.
I used the circle of people to show our connection to each other. It is also a symbol that I believe shows fellowship. I chose to have the word "Connections" reaching outside the bounds of the circle to show openness within the group and a desire to reach out and connect to the community. Since God is very difficult to portray visually and even harder to confine to a logo, I decided to have the connection with God implied. I felt that including "First Baptist Church Murfreesboro" within the circle of fellowship both implies a spiritual connection and gives the sense of place and belonging.
In addition to a new logo, the Connections Worship Service now has a Google Group. Along with the blog, it should provide a good place for everyone involved with Connections to get to know each other better. It will also provide a central location for discussion about many different topics. Check it out here.
Thomas Williamson
In designing the logo, I took into consideration the principles we are focusing on in the Connections Service and did quite a lot of research, thought and prayer before I decided on the visual approach to take.
In the Connections Worship Service, we desire to Connect to God, each other and the community.
I used the circle of people to show our connection to each other. It is also a symbol that I believe shows fellowship. I chose to have the word "Connections" reaching outside the bounds of the circle to show openness within the group and a desire to reach out and connect to the community. Since God is very difficult to portray visually and even harder to confine to a logo, I decided to have the connection with God implied. I felt that including "First Baptist Church Murfreesboro" within the circle of fellowship both implies a spiritual connection and gives the sense of place and belonging.
In addition to a new logo, the Connections Worship Service now has a Google Group. Along with the blog, it should provide a good place for everyone involved with Connections to get to know each other better. It will also provide a central location for discussion about many different topics. Check it out here.
Thomas Williamson
Thursday, June 26, 2008
CBF
Thomas and I went to CBF assembly and a family reunion last week. I like a lot of things about the assembly. I enjoyed the combination of different types of music (choir, contemporary, jazz, varied instruments, etc) and the use of different forms of art such as dance and sign language. I also loved the inclusive feel of age and gender along with the representatives from the world who joined in the worship. It felt so very open and loving that it inspires me to see the local church reflect that diversity.
I think my favorite speaker was Chuck Poole (a pastor from Mississippi I think). He gave short little monologues at each service about what it means to build bridges. My favorite story was when he told of taking food and water to group of people who were homeless and staying in an abandoned house. He said one the men wanted to know what church he was from. Chuck pointed out that this man understood church by what the church is!!
How often do we lose that focus. I was touched, because I knew that this wasn't an empty illustration. I have meet those who also identify church by the actions of people both good and bad. I'm sure we all have.
The family reunion was good. We made Thomas's grandmother very happy by being there for her and that made even the drive the Mississippi worth it!
I think my favorite speaker was Chuck Poole (a pastor from Mississippi I think). He gave short little monologues at each service about what it means to build bridges. My favorite story was when he told of taking food and water to group of people who were homeless and staying in an abandoned house. He said one the men wanted to know what church he was from. Chuck pointed out that this man understood church by what the church is!!
How often do we lose that focus. I was touched, because I knew that this wasn't an empty illustration. I have meet those who also identify church by the actions of people both good and bad. I'm sure we all have.
The family reunion was good. We made Thomas's grandmother very happy by being there for her and that made even the drive the Mississippi worth it!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
vacation
I am looking forward to the rest of the summer with great anticipation and a huge desire for it to slow down and last as long as possible. Summer is such a unique time of the year when your not in school and it has been a long time since I have not had school commitments.
Thomas and I plan to go to Memphis to the CBF assembly next weekend and then go to his grandmother's to visit. I also will hopefully be starting a part-time church position at a small church. I hope to maybe get away from work a few more times this summer for short trips to unknown places and to find time for the multiple fun house projects that I have in mind.
I am also reading fiction...as much and as quickly as possible. I have to make up for all I have missed from school reading.
Please post your summer plans and trip information. I would love to know what everyone else is doing. I hope it's fun!!
Thomas and I plan to go to Memphis to the CBF assembly next weekend and then go to his grandmother's to visit. I also will hopefully be starting a part-time church position at a small church. I hope to maybe get away from work a few more times this summer for short trips to unknown places and to find time for the multiple fun house projects that I have in mind.
I am also reading fiction...as much and as quickly as possible. I have to make up for all I have missed from school reading.
Please post your summer plans and trip information. I would love to know what everyone else is doing. I hope it's fun!!
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