Still Here...and Excited!

Wow...I just realized that our church website www.gaffneywebchurch.org still has a link up to this blog I started last year. I, like most everyone else, had started to focus more on facebook for my occassional comments, thoughts, and updates. Does anyone still read blogs anymore?

In case you do, here's the latest update from the WEBC Music Department:

Homecoming is this Sunday, August 22nd. We have several things planned for the praise and worship portion of the service and a choir special that everyone should recognize...one of my favorites. We're also all looking forward to Jonathan Herron being our guest speaker.

One of the things I'm most excited about for our Music Team is Christmas 2010. That's right, I said Christmas. This year's cantata is titled "Journey of Faith." It features our adult choir, a children's choir, traditionally nativity drama, and both traditional and contemorary musical selections. We're biting off alot for us to chew...but I have faith that our members and our God will help make this production the best that WEBC has ever seen!

We'll be needing LOTS of help to pull this off. See me, call me, email me, message me, or just get at me anyway you can to see what you can do in service to your church and you Lord.

In Christ,
Michael

Sunday Review 11/15

Not sure why, but we do "There's Something About That Name" differently every time we attempt it. I'm sure that's my fault somehow. It's always good, just different.

The Praise Team was on fire this week. Loved the first set with "Mighty to Save." Great guitar solo by Claude in one section. I just wonder if anyone else heard it?

I really love the lady's ensemble. Great job once again girls!

Next week, we have baby dedication. Our latest edition is already excited (LOL). Can't wait to see what God has in store!

Sunday Review 11/8/09

I know I sound like a broken record, but I thought we had another really good service this week. Attendance appeared to be up and I saw several new first-time visitors. It really is an exciting time to be a part of West End Baptist Church.
After last week's "near miss," the Praise Team returned to the type of quality service we've come to expect and Melanie's solo was a great change of pace for our special music.
Justin did a GREAT job with the message and I really enjoyed coordinating the song "Draw Me Close" with the sermon. There was more movement during the invitation than I can remember in a long time.
I'm grateful to be a part of the West End family!

In Christ,
Michael

Sunday Review 11/1/09

I'll be the first to admit that sometimes we just don't seem to have "it." Today was one of those days. The Praise Team did two sets we've done several times before; but, for some reason, I just wasn't really feeling "it" today. Great songs, great effort, but just so-so results. Oh well, we'll do better next week.

One big plus: the acapela start to The Solid Rock was a great idea...thanks Terry.

One observation on today's sermon: If Jesus never specifies "how" the sower casts his seeds but only describes the soil on which the seeds land, why do so many church's assume that their way of sowing is the only acceptable one? Just a thought...

Have a Great Week!
In Christ,
Michael

Sunday Review 10/25/09 FRIEND DAY

Let me begin this post by admitting that I have never been a fan of "promotional days" that churches often pull just to artificially inflate their numbers for one or two Sundays a year. I have personally been invited to attend (and have attended) "Friend Days" at other churches. I always felt a bit out of place, mostly due to the fact that I was leaving my own church which I was faithful to and to which the person that invited me knew I was faithful to, just to make a one time appearance and help "pack the pews" of another church where I would likely never visit again!

However, what I witnessed this morning at West End Baptist Church was something quite different. From the moment we announced this campaign weeks ago, our emphasis was on the un-saved and un-churched, as well as those who traditionally attend church but might be without a church home at present. While I'm sure that some present did indeed leave their own churches to be with us today, I know that the majority fell into one of the above three categories.

The end result was an attendance of approximately 300 (298 is the exact number I was told)! To God be the glory! In my time at West End, this was the most unified effort at evangelism that I have witnessed. Currently, there seems to be an enthusiasm and anticipation in the air at what God is about to do in our presence. Most are realizing that West End's best days are not behind it after all and that they are now fortunate enough to be witnessing what it takes to truly build a church, the right way! The pieces are slowly being put into place and I'm excited (and priviledged) to be a part of it. I can't wait to see what happens next week!

As for my review of today's music; in one word: AWESOME! We did have one hiccup in the introduction of the first set, but the musicians all pressed on until we could get the train back on the tracks. Audience participation was much better during the second set, and I was amazed at how many of our visitors actually knew the words to our selections. I guess not all the other churches in our area stick to traditional hymns and southern gospel after all (did I just say that? That's a topic for a later post! lol). Today's service was an example of "blended worship" at it's best.

The choir was the best I've stood in front of. Most don't even realize that our choir has more than doubled in size in just the past three months! We've added dedicated people who actually consider it an honor to sing God's praises as part of a larger group. Those are the people God can use. Neither He nor I have much use for those who came and went when they weren't awarded a solo (ouch! I said that too didn't I?). Thank you choir! You finally "get it!" We are not performing for our congregation, we're singing praises for our savior! Now wait and see what we can do...and He can do through us!

Next Sunday we'll see how much fruit the seed we sowed this week will bear. I can hardly wait!

God Bless!
Michael

Sunday Review 10/18/09

Awesome, spirit-filled Praise and Worship time this week. Great Call to Worship, Praise Team was on fire, and the choir special was as good as ever. Follow that by a very inspirational sermon on sowing seed and God is bound to move...right?

Just one question: What is so important that it can't wait until 15 minutes past twelve to get home to? Maybe it's just me, but the spirit was quenched beyond recovery while witnessing the mass exodus from the back rows as we were preparing for the invitation. Anyone who's ever been to church knows that is the most important time of the service by far, yes? Decisions might be made affecting someone's eternity or which church they call home. I'm just sayin' (and probably shouldn't be).

Anyway, a special thanks this week to our rhythm and accompaniment musicians for showing up on a chilly Saturday morning for an extra rehearsal. I certainly noticed the improvement on Sunday. We are now blessed with a guitarist for "the band." I'm looking forward to working with Claude, he is truly an answer to prayer.

"Friend Day" next week. Hope the house is packed! Wouldn't it be great to see someone make the most important decision of their life? That's alot more important than where their church membership lies. What if we ALL brought just ONE?

In Christ,
Michael

Sunday Review 10/11/09

Today was another in a long line of good services. I am constantly amazed at how things always seem to come together musically...even when I have my doubts. To God be the glory!

Honestly, even up until around 9am, I didn't think we would pull off "Sing, Sing, Sing." I am slowly learning never to underestimate the West End musicians. GREAT job by all, you really brought your A-game this week!

What I learned from today's Praise and Worship: Our congregation claps better on songs that are a "little" slower than today's feature. I almost got amused on the platform at all of the "off-beat" clapping going on! But...at least most endured for as long as they could keep up, lol.

About choir today: Where was everyone? We had 26 present for practice Wednesday night but only 11 in service this morning! At least I can can say that those who were there gave their all. "Holy is He" was as good as it's ever been, even shorthanded.

I'm already looking forward to and planning for both next Sunday and especially Friend Day. Please pray that God will continue to work through our music department...and through you if you're a part of that.

God Bless!
Michael