any ideas for communion? | 0 Replies

hi all, any ideas for communion? what are some creative things that you guys have done? looking for some ideas, want to keep communion fresh and real for folks. last time we had communion, we began with a series of scriptures that were displayed onscreen during complete silence. that morphed into a video that also cued our church when to take the elements. on the search... thanks everyone!

Ted Kim, Des Plaines IL,South Park Church

Pastor Appreciation - Soul Man | 2 Replies
You just never know when an old song on the radio will sprout a new idea. I wanted to do something different for our lead teaching pastor during October for pastor appreciation month. As the words from Sam and Dave's rendition of Soul Man played on the radio, images from a SNL Blues Brothers skit danced through my mind. I looked up the lyrics on-line, re-wrote them reflecting what I knew about our pastor and then worked with two members of our worship team to bring both the song and Blues Brothers characters to life. Needless to say the look on his face was priceless.
Steve Meyer, Sun Prairie WI,

Home Video Announcements | 3 Replies
I thought it would be fun to challenge our audience to create the announcements on a Home Video. We have had an amazing response to this idea! Typically we are very particular about the quality of our service elements, but since the expectations of a "home video" are not very high it allowed a lot of grace. I created an envelope at one of our information kiosks people could pick up that contained the items they had to include in their video. Things like offering envelope, information cards,communion service and baptism sign ups. The rest was up to them!
Lori Biddle, Mansfield OH,Crossroads Community Church

Home Video Announcements | 3 Replies
I thought it would be fun to challenge our audience to create the announcements on a Home Video. We have had an amazing response to this idea! Typically we are very particular about the quality of our service elements, but since the expectations of a "home video" are not very high it allowed a lot of grace. I created an envelope at one of our information kiosks people could pick up that contained the items they had to include in their video. Things like offering envelope, information cards,communion service and baptism sign ups. The rest was up to them!
Lori Biddle, Mansfield OH,Crossroads Community Church

Love by Brian Wu from Alisong Music | 2 Replies
I sang "Love" by Brian Wu from Alisong Music in Worship Arts Conference in June 08. Then, I try to search the whole internet. I couldn't find the lyrics, mp3 or chord at all. Anyone , can anyone give me some idea how do I find this song? I really love this song.... and want to sing it in our church. Here is some part of the song: Love, help us be your love In peace, in oppression ... when we step out, let the world see your love Thanks Samuel
Samuel Lee, Seattle WA,Chinese Baptist Church

Love by Brian Wu from Alisong Music | 0 Replies
I sang "Love" by Brian Wu from Alisong Music in Worship Arts Conference in June 08. Then, I try to search the whole internet. I couldn't find the lyrics, mp3 or chord at all. Anyone , can anyone give me some idea how do I find this song? I really love this song.... and want to sing it in our church. Here is some part of the song: Love, help us be your love In peace, in oppression ... when we step out, let the world see your love Thanks Samuel
Samuel Lee, Seattle WA,Chinese Baptist Church

Need Portable Baptistry Reference | 2 Replies
Looking for an attractive portable baptristry to purchase. Does anyone have a manufacturer or supplier they would recommend? Thank you! Sincerely, Michelle Schulte Worship Arts Director Hope Church Dubuque, IA
Michelle McClure, Dubuque IA,Hope Evangelical Free Church

Need Portable Baptistry Reference | 2 Replies
Looking for an attractive portable baptristry to purchase. Does anyone have a manufacturer or supplier they would recommend? Thank you! Sincerely, Michelle Schulte Worship Arts Director Hope Church Dubuque, IA
Michelle McClure, Dubuque IA,Hope Evangelical Free Church

'Truth' film | 2 Replies
film of truth through the Bible
Kate Paley, Warren, CT,

worddiamonds.com | 0 Replies
worddiamonds is an interactive visualization of the Bible, where people connect scriptures to share with each other. It is still in beta.
Kate Paley, Warren, CT,

Turning The Corner | 1 Replies
The theme of the service was the Incarnation of Christ... but we were doing it in the middle of the summer! How do you turn the corner from summer craziness to a traditionally Christmasy topic? Here's what my team did! http://gallery.me.com/artsings/100000
Bob Gerard, Geneva IL,Willow Creek Community Church

Holy Week: Maundy Thursday | 1 Replies
At First Baptist Church of Geneva (Illinois), we've had a long tradition of observing Maundy Thursday-- the day before Good Friday. Our goal has always been to create a simple, reflective, and emotionally rich service centered around the communion table. We've tried various approaches over the years, experimenting with video, performed music and congregational music, along with our settings and lighting. This year, though, we hit on a program that we really loved. The service was held in our gym, which is typically the site of our contemporary worship services. We have a bunch of doors at the back, but for this service, we ushered everyone through one door on the side of the gym. As our congregation entered, they found themselves in a long, dark hallway (created with pipe and drape set up a few feet away, and parallel to, the gym wall). Walking down this hallway, they encountered three round tables, each spotlit from above, to make a museum-like display. The first table held a first-century looking washbasin and towel, representing Jesus washing the disciples' feet. The second table held a crown of thorn and nails. The final table held the elements of the Lord's supper. As we hoped, our congregation paused to examine each table and reflect on the symbols. Emerging from the hallway, the congregation found themselves in an in-the-round setting. At the center of the space we set four long tables up in a square, so our four pastors could stand in the center of the table. The table was decorated for passover, with rich fabrics, bread, wine, fruit... and lots and lots of candles. As in previous years, the service was simple. We had some music, and a brief meditation by the head pastor. But the heart of the service was communion, where families came to the table one by one, to be served communion by one of our pastors. After communion and a final hymn, we all left in silence. This program worked great for our church. We used the arts, and especially visual arts, to set the mood and pull people into the experience. But the real highlight was being together as one church, in community, deeply reflecting on Christ's sacrifice for us. It was a great kickoff to Holy Week! If you want any more details about the program, please let me know!
Bob Gerard, Geneva IL,Willow Creek Community Church

Evaluation Video (or script), etc. for WCCC Christmas plays | 3 Replies
Looking for some help in evaluating the following WCCC Christmas dramas. Does anyone have a video (or script) that I could borrow? "Word on the Street" - length?: "Festival of the King" - length?: "Imagine Christmas" - length?: (Performance video with alternative angle - length: 57 minutes 9 seconds) "The Christmas Rewind" - 5 actors, 22 min. The descriptions of these look quite interesting, but without any script, video, etc. or material of any kind I don't know how one can evaluate any of these works to know if they want to produce them at our church. Nothing of this kind is offered on their web site. I see favorable reviews, but I certainly can't make a decision based on a review (except to consider looking at it).
Rick Moore, Springfield Virginia,Word of Life

Starting a christian theatre group | 5 Replies
Hi, nice to meet anyone (Is anybody out there?) LOL This Internet thing is really something. I'm from Panama, I'm a drama professor at the University of Panama, and I also organize dramas in my congregation, Crossroads Bible Church (check it out, we have a web page, if you are curiuos, do a google search Crossroads Bible Church, Panama). At the Faculty of Fine Arts I have quiet a lot of students that are born again christians (I'm a born again myself), and some of my own students have shared with me their vision and desire to start a Christian Theatre company in Panama. So I kind of have started something, but we are not quite there yet. I've been praying for this a lot, and I really see God moving, little by little, but moving, and I am really excited of what is going on. I would like some advice on this. I'm thinking of posting audtions sheets in different churches to see what happens. What else can I do? How can I organize a season? Does it only have to be for evangelism? I studied drama at an old age (32), before that I was just a secretary, and not too long ago I got an MFA in theatre. I never thought that God would use me in this, all I wanted to do was study painting. I really feel honored to serve God this way, and I love it (sometimes not too much). I welcome any ideas and advice God bless Myrna
Myrna Castro, Panama Panama,

Do You See? | 2 Replies
Here's a video that our church produced to discuss God's generosity to us and how we should allow that generosity to flow through our lives into those around us. I'm not sure how to embed this video. It's at our website at http://www.prairielakeschurch.org/mc_other_doyousee.asp and it's on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZctpREm3la0 Questions, Comments?
Matt Rittgers, Cedar Falls IA,

Worship Administration Web sites | 4 Replies
There's a ton of worship planning web sites for a monthly fee (worshipteam.com planningcenteronline.com) to name just a few. What is considered the best one? Any thoughts?
Jonathan Gonyou, Stony Plain Alberta,

Lighthearted Fun for Mothers Day | 0 Replies
For Lighthearted Fun: 1. Prepare a video montage of children sharing, “My mama always said…” or “Mom, thanks for…” 2. Perform “The Mom Song” by Go Fish. Available on i-tunes. 3. Give one woman in the congregation a spa day. Choose any method you’d like to select the winner. To Shower the Women with Words of Encouragement: 1. Prepare a slideshow thanking women for the little things they do. 2. Record children’s voices reading quotes about moms or sharing thoughts about motherhood. 3. Prepare a magnet, sticker, bookmark, or any printed item with words of affirmation for women. 4. Purchase Dove chocolates, ordered with special Mother’s Day messages inside. Order at mydovechocolate.com. 5. Position a large sheet of paper or canvas at the entry way to the auditorium, provide colorful markers and prompt people to write a message to moms or women they treasure. Read a few during the service. 6. Provide note cards to everyone attending the service, and ask them to write a note to a special woman in their lives. Provide envelopes and stamps if your budget allows.
Lori Finnegan, West Dundee IL,Willow Creek Community Church