Mr Beast at church, the artful Baloche, and a playlist to turn your red and green to plaid.
5 things worth sharing this week
Hey — It’s Rich and Cass.
We are pouring over songs this week… to turn carols into worship. There’s been gathering our team to decorate the church venue, Christmas service prep, plus an Aussie thanksgiving and gratitude in abundance. We are renovating at home, which along with all the Christmas festivities feels slightly chaotic… and very seasonal.
Now, here’s 2 ideas from us, 2 snippets from others & 1 spark of inspiration!
TWO IDEAS FROM RICH & CASS
RICH WRITES:
“Do you ever find yourself feeling like you’re the different one in the group?
You see the world in a way that others just don’t. And you can’t help but see creative ways to do things… all the while, you question why they don’t see it. Then you ask yourself, “am I the odd one?” … “or are they?”
I recently had that experience… then immediately felt a Holy Spirit nudge that I’m in exactly the right place, doing the thing I’m gifted to do. And that other person, they’re okay too, they have different gifts and talents.
So here’s the encouragement.
We’re all meant to compliment each other. We each add our unique color and flavor. So don’t be discouraged by that leader, pastor, or peer who doesn’t get it… they don’t have to!!”
CASS WRITES:
“I am convinced worship and wonder are intrinsically connected. Stand on the ocean shore and I dare you not to be moved to worship. Look at majestic mountains and consider Gods vastness and your own smallness - surely this moves your heart in God’s direction.
I’ve been thinking all week about Mary and the incarnation of God. Jesus literally is the breath of heaven incarnate. God walking the earth, feeling our pain, sorrow, joy and hope, sharing our oxygen. And as I ponder the wonder of that thought, it keeps inspiring me to worship.
So, how much wonder does it take to spark worship? I challenge you to think about what you could do this weekend in church to lift the sense of awe before we invite people into the mystery of worship.”
To read more around Worship here’s something I wrote for The Worship and Creative Leaders Academy.
TWO SNIPPETS FROM OTHERS
We love this time of year…. but when it comes to worship - working out which carols and how to make carols work in a worship set can take a little deliberate attention. Paul Baloche is a master and while this video is on the older side, his teaching for our younger leaders is invaluable. He talks about how to get vertical worship from horizontal Christmas songs. This is a good one to share with those seeking to lead worship throughout December.
Source: Worship Artistry
Number Four this week is just for fun. We are always looking for those playlists that are just right for this time of year and we think we have found a great one for you. In honor of all things Christmasy, red, green and plaid - we bring you The Ralph Lauren Festive Play List.
Source: Spotify (The Ralph Lauren Festive Play List)
ONE SPARK OF INSPIRATION
Mr Beast can see the potential in church buildings for creativity - can you? Obviously for us church is more than a building, it’s a people. But I wonder if you might be missing what’s right in front of you? The church building you gather in week after week could be the greatest gift that you’re not using to it’s full creative potential. If it’s good enough for Mr Beast, why would you take it for granted?
Source: Podcast Pro
Question of the week… what unexpected Christmas carol will you include in a worship set this Advent season? Let us know in the comments… or hit reply and let us know!!
Grace and peace,
Rich and Cass
P.S - Welcome to the new Academy members who used this link!!
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Love the Paul Baloche video! I’ve heard many saying they don’t want to participate in the Christmas service because it’s too much « production » not enough worship. Thanks for sharing !
Thanks for the The Ralph Lauren Festive Play List - it's playing right now as I type this!
My "unexpected carol" could be Pass It On! It's more known as a camp song of sorts but it gives me Christmas vibes and could probably make an advent worship set somewhere!