Full Court Worship is now podcasting.
For information on podcasting, please visit this starter page.
Take Full Court with you where ever you go!
This coming week we will celebrate our 3rd Year Anniversary in Full Court, and I am both excited and reflective. I am the sentimental type that likes to look back on the last few years and take a wonderful walk down memory lane. When the idea for Full Court was conceived I never thought I would be standing before you every week leading you in worship, but God had a different plan. When I accepted this position, I had no idea what I was getting into!
Many times as we look back in life we can see God's hand gently guiding us along our journey, and as I look back now I see the miracles that have taken place. My memories play back as a half hour show of "Full Court's Greatest Bloopers".
Todd attempting to do a magic trick, and burning off his eyebrows.
The napkin catching fire during Chrismas Eve communion.
We've had Elvis and the Church Lady, we've built a tomb, a rock, had parachutes and rafts on stage.
I talked Todd into posing in a bathtub, had him dress up like Spock from Star Trek, and actually allowed him to sing....ok, that one I'm still having second thoughts about.
I have had several wardrobe "malfunctions" throughout the years.
God took me seriously one Mother's Day as I went into labor.
Abe and I realizing that 3D DVD movies really aren't 3D.
And that's just to name a few of the crazy moments we've had at Full Court.
In Psalm 100 it says, "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." For three years I have enjoyed living out this verse. I have had the great pleasure of playing and singing with the most talented and gifted musicians in our church. Many of these players have been with me the whole 3 years, and I thank all of them for what they bring to this service. Every Sunday they bring their gifts, their presence, and their true offering to God! I am honored to stand wtih them!
This service is so special because of the volunteers that touch it every week with their true and worshipful spirit! I thank each and every one of them for the talents and ideas they bring to the service!
But, most of all I want to thank you.....the congregation. You have laughed with us, you have tried new songs and sung your hearts out, you have cried along with us and supported us through all our changes. You embrace the true meaning of Full Court!
As we head into a new year, I know God is still gently leading us. I look forward to celebrating this Sunday and giving God all the praise for the most awesome opportunity to be part of such a special service! I am blessed!
God Bless,
Cindy
When Mother Teresa received her Nobel Prize, she was asked the question, “What can we do to promote world peace?” She replied, “Go home and love your family.” Often we get so busy working and helping others that we forget to love those closest to us. Love is nurtured by acts and expressions of love. Often, the littlest things we do can have a great impact, for love grows when it is watered with caring words and deeds.
For the rest of this week, let’s commit to making the little things count. Speak kindly; communicate love and appreciation for one another. Give positive praise. Let’s tell the children in our life that we love them, we are proud of them and that they are worthy of great accomplishments. Let’s reaffirm our spouse or those closest to us. Listen more, let the little annoyances pass, let go of the petty stuff, and highlight the great qualities of the other. The song of life is composed of more than one note -- expect the ups and downs, but focus on the good notes in life.
Every day, as we share our love, helpfulness, gentleness, compassion, and faith with others, even if the acts are very small, we share a part of God with them. Let the little things count!
Last week my three year old daughter, Abigail and I were saying our bedtime prayers and I prayed for Full Court Worship. Abigail asked, “What’s Full Court Worship?” I explained that through Full Court daddy had the wonderful opportunity to help people better see God. Abigail replied, “Why can’t I see God?” With assurance I replied using analogies, “You can’t see love, but you know daddy loves you. You cannot see the wind, but you can feel the breeze on your face.”
Whether you are 3 or 73, seeing God is sometimes difficult. Life's challenges, regrets, bitterness, inner hostilities, past hurts, fear, busy schedules, and worry, are some of the things which often cloud our spiritual vision and cause our faith to fade. The invisible things of God, however, are clearly seen when we exhibit perfect faith. No human being escapes the shadows or storms of life, but no one has to face them alone if they trust in God.
Worship is a place where we come together as a faith community to give ourselves to God and allow God to give back to us. Through worship we perfect our faith and "see" God. Boundless resources of strength, depths of love and eternal grace lie within worship. Let's worship hand and hand with the One who said, “…in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33)
I would like to invite you to worship. Come and be a part of one of the many worship services Christ UMC offers. Let’s “see” God together!
Since I was a child, I always remember getting so excited when it was going to storm. My Daddy would say...."smells like it's going to rain", which as a child I didn't have any clue what he was talking about. I thought he had some special "daddy" powers because he always knew it was going to storm before it actually did. I loved watching the rain, and even more I loved being in the rain! My Mother would get so upset with me because I would go outside and jump around in the puddles and come back in soaking wet!
Before I moved to Plano,TX., I lived on a farm in Northeastern Oklahoma. RIght in the middle of "tornado alley". Luckily, I've only been in one tornado in my life, and I remember this night so well. My Dad stood watch on the back porch, and everyone else had gone to the bathroom to take shelter....well, except me. There I was right behind my Dad, still trying to "smell" whatever that was that had him on high alert. He continually told me to go take shelter, but I wasn't going to miss this storm....are you kidding? So, we stood watch, and then we saw it. That's the great thing about living in the country on the flatland, you can see it coming at you. Both my Dad and I ran to take shelter, and that tornado came right over our house! Our family held tight together in the bathtub, while this tornado came overhead. We all sat in absolute silence while we listened to this eerie roaring sound overhead. And as fast as it came, it passed us in seconds...up and over. This particular tornado jumped over our house, and continued a deadly path into Kansas killing several people.
As a child, I didn't have any comprehension of the destruction a tornado like this could have caused. I was just so amazed at the mystery of it all. And I had a sense of peace, because I knew my Daddy was standing watch, and he was going to protect us.
On June 18th, we're going to begin a wonderful song from Andrew Ulugia of the Parachute Band. It's called "Complete". There's a line that stands out for me as we make this bittersweet transition into a new day in Full Court Worship. "I know your love dispels all my fears. Through the storm I will hold on Lord, and by faith I will walk on."
I feel like that child once again looking to the sky with excitement and awe of that storm. As we begin our new journey in Full Court, I know if you are like me you're filled with sadness, fear, and a tremendous amount of excitement. Over the next few weeks, we may feel like we're in an emotional storm....not knowing if we're going to feel a light rain, or be ducking some emotional tornadoes. But, we're all huddled together as a family knowing that God is standing watch over us....protecting us and leading us into a new day!
|
|
