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Our VisionIs to Aspire … to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS! The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley CircuitAUGUST 2007 No 72 COLIN’S WELCOME SERVICE 40 DAYS AND NIGHTS The dates are as follows: Saturday 22nd September - Launch evening If you want more information, you can contact David Buckley or visit the web site at http://www.purposedriven.com MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU! Many Methodists are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting in the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against the person’s rib cage. It’s natural for Methodists to sing in harmony. They are too modest to be soloists, too world to sing in unison. When you’re singing in the key of C and you can slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it’s an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: people, these Methodists, who live to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you’re in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they’ll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they’ll give you a quiche! Methodists believe in prayer, but many would die than pray out loud! Methodists like to sing except when confronted with a new hymn to a different tune. Methodists believe their ministers will visit them in hospital, even if they haven’t told them they’re there. Methodists believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their Stewardship programmes. Methodists think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace. Methodists drink tea as if it were the third sacrament. Methodists believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and not to take themselves too seriously. And finally, you know you’re Methodist: when you hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can; and (my favourite) when you watch a ‘Stars Wars’ movie and they say, ‘May the force be with you,’ and you respond, ‘And also with you.’ Oh, and lastly, when it takes ten minutes to say good-bye.” BEYOND THE OHP Whilst technology when used well can enhance and reinforce the message, it cannot replace the message itself. Churches are using technology to help get across the message of the gospel. Today's congregations often expect it. We live in a multi-media age with access to twenty-four hour news, information, instant messaging, electronic mail and podcasts. Why should the experience of going to church be different? Jesus used the means of communication pertinent to his audience. He told stories; He used examples and illustrations from everyday life. Today the dominant forms of communication are the television, radio, movies, music and the internet. The predominant form is visual. Some might argue that our experience of church should be 'different,' set apart from the world. Or that the projection of hymn / song words means we no longer have the words in our hands to study and reflect upon as we sing them. However, if Jesus were here today, doubtless He would relate to the culture of the day and make use of the technology available to explain and explore His message. The church has a unique opportunity to use that technology, to explore in new ways the stories of the gospel, to help a more sophisticated audience see afresh the truth of the message. Furthermore, our audience may now expect it of us. Technology can help us to produce that which is exciting and dramatic. The technology alone can't do it. But we can, if we use the technology to best effect. That does not mean that everything we do has to be perfect. The Oscar-winning film director Steven Soderbergh once said, "Energy is more important than perfection... things that are alive have flaws." Perhaps one of the strangest things about our use of technology in worship is that, if done well, it becomes almost invisible. Let's start with your most likely use of technology - hymns / songs. There are some do's and don'ts: Do choose strong colours for your background and your text. For example, strong yellow works well on a dark blue background. Once you and the church are comfortable with the use of technology for the hymns / songs it is time to move on and begin experimenting further. Think about how else you might use the technology: Notices - These can be made into a presentation that runs before the service. The presentation can be set to run automatically in a loop. This is your opportunity to be a little more adventurous with the presentation. Photos, animations, different transitions - but don't overdo it! Some of the congregation will be preparing themselves for worship, so don't shock them too much. Bible readings - The reading is projected on to the big screen. Make sure the text is large enough to be readable (at least 36 point font size) and without any distracting background. Sermon notes - Simple bullet points, headings, Biblical references. Don't overdo it. The notes are there to complement the sermon, not take over from it. Background images - This is where imagination and creativity comes in. For example, reports of events can be accompanied by images; Information on coming events might have photographs of the proposed venue / speaker; Well-prepared images to accompany music soundtracks that have a message. I've written mostly about using technology during worship. But once you have the technology in place and the ability to use it well, you will find that it can be used in many different ways and places. For example, committee meetings, Alpha courses, conferences, open days, film shows and so on. Happy projecting! Keith Reed BOLSOVER’S HEALING SERVICE CIRCUIT OFFICE Circuit DIARYAugust 2007 18 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8:30am Staveley September 2007 6 Colin’s Welcome Service 7:30pm Clowne October 20073 Circuit Meeting 7:30pm Staveley November 2007 25 Circuit Service 6:00pm Brimington Common December 200712 Circuit Carol Service 7:00pm Staveley © 2007 - Bolsover and Staveley Methodist Circuit |
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