http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/weve-moved Explore the new Worship Connect Blog. Change your bookmark, because we will no longer post to this blog. See you over there. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/weve-moved Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:40:22 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/this-blog You may have noticed (I hope you noticed!) that this blog has been dead for a bit. That's because we are creating a new blog using the wordpress platform. This means our worship connection community will enjoy greater interactivity with one another and in the blogosphere at large. You'll receive the link to the new blog soon. Looking forward, Katie http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/this-blog Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:57:57 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/speaking-of-technology The Barna Group has new research on the use of technology in churches. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/speaking-of-technology Tue, 06 May 2008 12:38:01 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/techchurchonline_com Tim Peterson has started a blog on the theme of the church and technology. Everyone relates to Tim and appreciates both his tech savvy and his love for the local church in all her forms. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/techchurchonline_com Tue, 06 May 2008 12:31:25 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/sorry-yed A few days ago, I posted Ted Yuen's request for Pentecost song ideas. I typed "Yed" instead of "Ted", and even after editing, the synopsis on the front page continued to display "Yed." http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/sorry-yed Tue, 06 May 2008 12:20:18 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/songs-for-pentecost Here's a message from Yed Yuen of McMinnville Cov in OR. He's considering songs for Pentecost and could use our help. We figure some of you would want to collaborate and swap ideas... http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/songs-for-pentecost Fri, 02 May 2008 08:50:34 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/thriving-musicians-summit Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA will host a Thriving Musician Summit, September 19-20, 2008. Featured leaders include Paul Baloche and Lincoln Brewster. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/thriving-musicians-summit Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:48:11 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/justice-and-the-language-of-worship Brian McLaren is doing some traveling and speaking on his new book: Everything Must Change. According to Covenant News Service, rather than just book signing, McLaren hosts “training and worship events.” Although McLaren speaks several times, the worship times incorporate new music and the creative use of art in liturgy. “A key element to mobilizing people in our churches is liturgy,” he explains. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/justice-and-the-language-of-worship Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:54:08 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/preparing-for-pentecost Dear Covenant Friends. Scot McKnight is hosting a series called Preparing for Pentecost. He’s posting reflections on his book Forty Days Living the Jesus Creed. It’s been excellent, and I wish we’d have brought it to you sooner. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/preparing-for-pentecost Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:42:15 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/the-thaw I stepped outside after church on Saturday night, and snow was floating down in huge, white flakes. Overnight, the spring snow blanketed the lawns and trees of northern Colorado. By Easter sunrise, the sky was crystal clear, and the shimmer of light on snow was stunning. Our White Easter was nothing like a White Christmas, because the first light brought enough heat to melt the snow. As I drove to church, I thought, “Narnia is thawing.” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/the-thaw Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:50:27 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/early-feast-deadline-nears-seminars-announced For those who have not yet registered for the Feast, be advised of the approaching March 28 deadline to take advantage of the discounted registration fees. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/early-feast-deadline-nears-seminars-announced Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:39:52 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/holy-week-memories I was fixing to blog about “the best holy week ever,” but I couldn’t settle on "the best." So here are my Holy Week Memories, meant only to prompt you. Please post yours, as well. Then after Easter, we’ll post our Easter memories. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/holy-week-memories Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:40:07 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/tech-question-digital-pen From Kevin Kasai Our preacher is what I would call a “teacher-preacher”. We are looking at ways to add visuals to his style with out the static feel of PowerPoint. He is great at engaging the congregation and would like the freedom to relay his thoughts as the Spirit leads him. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/tech-question-digital-pen Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:58:21 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/mandating-the-blend I remember the deepest valley I walked through during a 15 year run as worship leader/director at a large community church. Something Scott Ladd posted in the last thread made me think of my valley-days. He mentioned that his church mandates 80-20 worship planning (in terms of traditional/contemporary). http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/mandating-the-blend Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:03:25 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/blended-worship-awkward-or-effective Robert Webber defined blended worship as “a true convergence of worship rooted in biblical sources, which draws from the great traditions of the church…” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/blended-worship-awkward-or-effective Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:06:51 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hot-topic-worship-and-justice I know, many of us are thinking about how our worship and works are related—how we might lead our congregations in gathered worship that encourages good work—which is worship, right? http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hot-topic-worship-and-justice Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:24:54 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/wc-event-announcements More than 100 pastors and leaders are registered for Worship Connection 2008. Read on for event info and announcements, including sign ups for The Artists' Forum. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/wc-event-announcements Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:37:11 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/worshipers-listen-in-to-pastors-dialogue-sermon MERCER ISLAND, WA (January 15, 2008) - Worshipers at Mercer Island Covenant Church “listened in” on the conversation of pastors from two congregations as they delivered a “dialogue sermon” that modeled racial reconciliation on Sunday. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/worshipers-listen-in-to-pastors-dialogue-sermon Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:58:02 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/an-epiphany-on-being-right by Krista Brumberg Stevens http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/an-epiphany-on-being-right Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:24:01 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/old-hymns-get-makeover-sunday-debut-in-omaha OMAHA, NE (January 11, 2008) - Putting new settings to traditional favorites always is a dicey proposition, but Dick Lindner says the 12 newly commissioned piano arrangements of Swedish hymns he will perform on Sunday at First Covenant Church won’t alarm anyone. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/old-hymns-get-makeover-sunday-debut-in-omaha Sat, 12 Jan 2008 08:00:24 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/charitable-7-year-old-artist-named-kansan-of-year MCPHERSON, KS (January 11, 2008) - The Topeka Capital-Journal has named seven-year-old Emma Marten one of its 2007 Kansans of the Year. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/charitable-7-year-old-artist-named-kansan-of-year Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:54:53 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/characteristics-of-christian-worship Characteristics of Christian Worship—by Craig A. Satterlee http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/characteristics-of-christian-worship Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:16:56 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/prayer-for-epiphany As we emerge from Christmas and enter Epiphany, I’m reminded of God’s heart to include. Perhaps exclusion is the worst of our sins and inclusion is God’s best in us. The gospel story tells us that the Wise Men brought gifts to infant Jesus, worshiped Jesus as “King,” and revealed him as such to a waiting world (Matt. 2.1-12). They were the first Gentiles to encounter and worship the incarnate Christ. Jesus had come for Israel and to all nations, and the Magi were the first to illustrate this Good News. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/prayer-for-epiphany Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:51:36 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hit-cd-its-not-just-the-sound-its-the-message ORLANDO, FL (January 3, 2008) - Brant Christopher is surprised that his band’s new CD album Beautiful Imperfection is getting such good reviews. “I was blown away by them,” he says. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hit-cd-its-not-just-the-sound-its-the-message Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:27:04 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/third-week-of-advent On this Monday, in the third week of Advent, The Morning Psalm reads: “O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds. I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah! (Psalm 116:14-17).” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/third-week-of-advent Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:10:49 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/from-rory-noland Dear Friends, I’m so looking forward to being with you at The Worship Connection ‘08. My mission for this season of my life is to serve artists in the church. I have a burden for us artists to be everything God created us to be, so I get very excited about gatherings like the one next month. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/from-rory-noland Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:01:25 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/registration-opens-for-the-feast-in-june-2008 CHICAGO, IL (December 11, 2007) – An impressive array of speakers is in place for The Feast next June at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/registration-opens-for-the-feast-in-june-2008 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:07:11 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/second-week-in-advent The Prayer Appointed for the Week: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/second-week-in-advent Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:38:03 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/elective-seminars-add-value-to-wc-event Consider arriving early for the Worship Connection event, so you can attend one of the excellent elective seminars sponsored by the Youth Workers’ Connection. Check out the topics and details here. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/elective-seminars-add-value-to-wc-event Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:13:15 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/announcing-general-session-topics-for-wc-event Rory Noland has announced his topics for the Worship Connection event in January. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/announcing-general-session-topics-for-wc-event Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:24:03 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/better-buildings Scot McKnight disputes Paul Metzger's assertions that the present-day church has "minimized the power of the gospel" by "the neutralizing of the church structure." In other words, Scot and the Jesus Creed community are talking about the relationship between architecture, gospel and mission. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/better-buildings Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:56:56 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/bad-sabbath Blessed be the LORD! for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city (Psalm 31:21). http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/bad-sabbath Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:16:10 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/media-manipulation-and-the-message Is video technology in church manipulative? http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/media-manipulation-and-the-message Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:04:16 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/225-participate-in-taste-of-africa-worship BROOKLYN PARK, MN (November 2, 2007) – The growing African immigrant community at Redeemer Covenant Church wanted to share some of their worship and foods, so the congregation recently held its first annual Taste of Africa event. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/225-participate-in-taste-of-africa-worship Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:20:48 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hang-onto-the-past-or-minister-to-the-present BOSTON, MA (November 8, 2007) – The members of Covenant Congregational Church had a difficult decision to make – restore its large pipe organ, which has been used since the church was built during the Depression, or hire a youth pastor. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/hang-onto-the-past-or-minister-to-the-present Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:00:30 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/paint-by-numbers-jesus-illustrates-body-of-christ MERCER ISLAND, WA (November 8, 2007) – Two weeks of artistic participation by members of Mercer Island Covenant Church recently gave the congregation a better understanding of what it means to be the body of Christ, says pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/paint-by-numbers-jesus-illustrates-body-of-christ Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:54:43 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/the-worshiping-artist-5 “The worship at church never challenged me to change… I had a job to do and as long as I stayed busy, I didn’t have to face my issues or talk about anything important like the depleted state of my heart and soul.” (Rory Noland) http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/the-worshiping-artist-5 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:52:37 -0600 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/special-24/7-prayer-room TULSA, OK (October 29, 2007) – Members of Redeemer Covenant Church participated in a citywide 24/7 Prayer Vigil recently. Here are some scenes from the special room set up in the chapel area of the church. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/special-24/7-prayer-room Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:31:16 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/counter-testimony “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD* shall flourish in the courts of our God.” http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/counter-testimony Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:35:44 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/planted God met me on my morning run. Well, it’s really more of a “jog.” Okay, it’s a walk/run, which my neighbor calls a “wog.” Truth be told, God met me on my morning wog. Funny how the word “wog” takes the emphasis off me and puts it on God. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/planted Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:59:17 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/conflict-unresolved-open-air-worship-continues LA CORUNA, SPAIN (October 17, 2007) – Members of Vida Nueva (New Life) http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/conflict-unresolved-open-air-worship-continues Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:28:01 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/bayside-ca-congregations-raise-120000-for-schools SACRAMENTO, CA (October 16, 2007) – The nine different congregations of http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/bayside-ca-congregations-raise-120000-for-schools Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:23:47 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas__ I am looking for interesting and unusual ways to shape our Christmas Eve services. We'd like to re-energize a traditional format of telling the Christmas story, singing some familiar carols and using candles with Silent night. Can you share some of your high impact and low production ideas for Christmas Eve services? http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas__ Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:47:12 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/swedens-torsby-band-to-perform-in-covenant-churches CHICAGO, IL (October 12, 2007) – The accomplished 30-piece Torsby Brass http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/swedens-torsby-band-to-perform-in-covenant-churches Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:25:36 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/a-stronger-heart Kevin Bidwell confesses, "I've lusted after the kind of church that someone else is pastoring... The object of my lust was worship. I wanted the kind of worship at my church that I saw and heard about at others." http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/a-stronger-heart Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:27:12 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/a-worship-evangelism-reversal2 Those of us who attended the 2007 Worship Connection event in Denver had the opportunity to hear Sally Morgenthaler, and many more of us have read her book Worship Evangelism. The principles of that book have done a lot to shape worship ministry in contemporary churches in the beginning of this century. In various ways—whether we realize it or not—many of us have taken Sally’s advice when we have sought to make worship more culturally relevant and more accessible to the unchurched. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/a-worship-evangelism-reversal2 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:49:22 -0500 http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/culture-clash I’m a worship pastor. I love the Church. I’ve got a dilemma. As I serve our multi-generational church (currently one worship service), I’ve been wrestling with questions regarding “moderns” and “post-moderns” in worship. http://www.covchurch.org/blogs/wc-blog/posts/culture-clash Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:33:03 -0500