Follow A Long

Sorry for the pun, but for this exercise it works. Tammy Long's daughter, Courtney is away working at Winshape Camp this summer. She will be traveling to 8 different states with her C3 team. She will return home on August 10th. She will be teaching bible study and leading music. Tammy is very proud of her, as we all should be. What a great testimony to God's working through some of our younger believers!

Courtney is blogging her summer and you can read it here. We all need to pray for God's protective hands on her this summer, and remember to keep Tammy in prayer as well.... a baby, regardless of age, is still a baby... and its nerve wracking when they fly away, even for a short time!

You Bless Me

It's been a crazy week. A few weeks ago I accepted a project that I probably should have walked away from. But I didn't. And here I am working 80 or more hours a week. The pressue is pretty intense. I'm at my desk again on Saturday morning trying to do what I'm supposed to do. I decided to pop out to www.brookwoodchurch.org and play the video of our last praise date. The video isn't working for some reason, but I'm listening to the audio. WHAT A BLESSING! It is exactly the message that I need to hear. Your heart for God, your trust in Him, the passion in your voices ... it encourages me to trust the God that I know I can trust. Thank you for ministering to me this morning! You bless me.

Time To Get Your Praise On!

Not Guilty Anymore Posters

They will be here for you all by the next rehearsal date. Some are spoken for. I had 25 made. The saying (and I quote) goes something like this.... First In, Wins....

Joe (2)
Tammy (1)
Rob (1)
Kim (1)
Gina (1)
Bobby (1)
Alba (1)

That leaves 17 unaccounted for.... If I need to get more, no worries... just want to make sure that everyone that wants one, gets one.

Love, and God's Peace.

Another Prayer Request

Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Killed in SUV Accident
May 22, 2008
The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman died after being struck by an SUV in the driveway of the family's Nashville-area home late Wednesday afternoon (May 21). Maria Sue Chapman was playing in the area with several other children. Her teenaged brother did not see her in the driveway when he struck her with the Toyota Land Cruiser he was driving. A spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol termed it "a terrible accident" and said no charges are expected to be filed. The child was the youngest in the family and one of three daughters adopted by Chapman and wife Mary Beth. The entire family was home at the time of the accident. Steven Curtis Chapman, 45, has won 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association and five Grammys.

Prayer Requests

Since all of us in the Worship Ministry are in a sense a small group we feel that it is important for us to be able to pray for one another. With this in mind please e-mail me with any prayer request that you would like to go out to the Worship Ministry (this will include the Praise Team and Band; the Praise Choir and the Celebrate Recovery Band). My e-mail address is tammy.tester@brookwoodchurch.org. I will then e-mail everyone in the Worship Ministry group.

We currently have two prayer requests:

1) Continue to pray for Steve Keeter (keyboard player in the band). The doctor has put Steve on some medication that seems to be helping with his pain and his shaking. Please continue to pray for Steve as he adjusts to this medication. He wants to be a lot better before his daughter’s wedding next month.

2) Pray for Luke Brunson (one our guitarist in the band), his wife Victoria and his son Zachary. Luke needs to find work. He had an interview this morning at 10 AM. Also, continue to pray for their son Zachary. Zachary was recently admitted to ICU with a viral infection and was in serious condition. Praise God that Zachary was released from the hospital and is doing much, much better since getting home. Luke and his family know it's a direct result of all the prayers that have gone up on his behalf. Their family wants to thank everyone who has been praying for them.

Please join me in lifting up these prayer request to our Lord & Savior. The bible clearly states in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land". We serve an awesome God who is always willing to listen!

Gospel Quartet

Judy Olson mentioned to me that she has met someone at Brookwood who is interested in forming a Gospel Quartet and is looking for singers. I don't know anything about this venture, but if you are interested in finding out more, call Beth Williams (Phone: 967.0042)

Ive Never Had

One song affect me the way Not Guilty Anymore did, this past Sunday morning. I think Steve and Kelly were actually worried about me. Honestly... if it weren't for the mission that we all were on, I would have been on my knees, sobbing hysterically. Thanks be to God, that it was just light tears....

Anyhoo... inspiration is Divine, I say. Here is the poster I am going to have printed. Who wants one?

A Brief, Wonderful Glimpse

I have to tell you that I’m one of those people who is easily distracted. It’s astounding the number of wacky thoughts that flit through my little brain at any given moment on Sunday mornings when we’re standing in front of the congregation... “I should have chewed on some Tic Tacs when I had the chance”; “Does my hair look even on both sides?”; “Hey, that lady looks familiar… how do I know her?”; “I hope that Diet Coke I just drank doesn’t make me burp”. Trust me… that’s the short list.

So… it is truly amazing when, even for a brief moment, I feel transported to an intimate and focused place in God’s presence. I felt that during the second service. It was one of those brief, but wonderful glimpses of what it might be like when we see our Savior face to face and step into eternity with Him. Like I said, the moment was brief because I soon became self conscious again. But what a sweet feeling.. what a wonderful glimpse of the freedom and peace and joy that will be someday be constant and forever.

I love y’all,

Sharyn

Sunday - Wow!

Isn't God amazing? He showed up this morning in a big way. I thought that this Praise Date would be one with a wonderful theme, but I did not expect the powerful presence of God that we experienced today.

Thank you for being musicians who understand that we are involved in something much more important than music. Thank you for being people who are willing to put in the work to prepare, and then willing to surrender and get out of the way so that God can do his thing.

There is a life lesson in there for all of us ...

Thank you, God, for you marvelous love. We felt it today.

"Summer of Love"

Beginning June 22nd, Perry will beginning a new 6-week sermon series entitled “Summer of Love”. We thought it would be fun to incorporate some songs that represent “Summer Love” and we need your help. Please e-mail me any recommendations that you have for a summer-related song. This song doesn’t necessary have to be a spiritually-based song. Some examples that we got from Joey Bradley and Josh Martin are as follows:

- Rock 'n' Roll Music, by The Beach Boys
- Give Me Just a Little More Time, by General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board
- Under the Boardwalk, by The Drifters
- Summer Night, by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
- Soak Up the Sun, by Sheryl Crow
- Good Vibrations, by The Beach Boys
- Beautiful Day, by U2
- Summer of Love, by B-52’s

Please e-mail your suggestions to tammy.tester@brookwoodchurch.org by Wednesday, May 28th. We will then pick the songs from all the recommendations we receive.

Thanks for your participation and suggestions. If you have any questions, please give me a call at 688.8391.

A Thursday Week

You know this, but ... just a reminder that this is a Thursday week. Meaning, we meet on Thursday rather than Wednesday. We'll meet at 6:30 to work on the new "Not Guilty" chart. Then at 7:00 we join the band on the black top.

The message that we are drawing our congregation to this time is that we are a Forgiven people ... not guilty anymore. It is actually a very important message. So many of us struggle under the burden of shame and guilt of our background, or our past actions. Jesus died to take care of that. We are forgiven!!! Not guilty anymore. The bondage that Satan keeps us under through guilt and shame is tragic.

It's ironic that the one who says, "do whatever you want" keeps us in bondage. The ONE who says, "follow me, and obey me" wants to set us free!

Let's pray that God will annoint us for his ministry this week and use us to set some people free.

Not Guilty Anymore

Here is a link to download the print music for Not Guilty Anymore. We'll work on this prior to going on the blacktop Thursday evening. It is pretty easy and involves a lot of melody. I think we'll learn it quickly.

http://www.4shared.com/file/47312558/748d9f08/Not_Guilty_Anymore.html

Wallpaper

In my humble opinion, should be a 4-letter word. There was a time, where I would have to spend hours and hours and hours (and hours) in wallpaper stores, going through samples and swatch books, and going back home and checking colors, and going back to the store to change the colors and... well, you get the point. I prefer paint. Brush on. Change color. Brush over. Very simple stuff.

But... in today's world, wallpaper has a whole new meaning. When you turn on your computers, and you go through that fifteen minute process of Windows boot up (sorry. couldn't resist. Macs take 20 seconds), you eventually end up with your desktop showing on the screen. All of those folders, and icons, and sometimes a scrolling message, or whatever.

Well... the point is (and I do have one), is that the image behind all of that is called... you guessed it... Wallpaper. (not sure who named it that. probably a Microsoft employee.)

For the past couple of days, Ive been working on some stuff for the Praise Choir. Simple things like posters. Taking lyrics or tidbits from some of our practices, and making some artwork that we as a choir can take ownership of. Im going to get some printed, and maybe we can hang them up in the Green Room area or in that hallway that leads to the blacktop.

But then.... I get a request from someone who is a computer user. Its what he does for a living (joe), for the conversion of these posters to wallpaper for the computer screens. So I start... and it just keeps on going. Kind of like reading Romans. You start... and it just gets better and better the more you turn the pages....

That being said, here is a link to a folder on my Box.net where I will be storing Official Praise Choir Wallpaper. These are set up at 1028x780 resolution. Some of you may use 800x600... or please forbid.... the 640x480 setup. I can rework these to any resolution that you need. And if you need help setting them up on your computers, just let me know. We can find someone in the PC to help with that.

Enjoy.

God Bless.

And More To Come.....

For Sharyn.

In case you missed it, this poster is reflective of her earlier post, and one of my favorite Israel songs.... cant wait to "get our praise on" with this one!

I Could Actually Do This All Day

Given the right amount of time, I could make thousands of these. But this morning, as I was listening to a Kirk/Israel/Lakewood mix, this song came on... and well, my right brain started to kick in.

Poster Two.

There will be a special signing event sometime in the near future.

Today I Decided

This Official Poster is now available for proofing. Its 11x17 trimmed. Im going to have some printed up. If there are specific color requests, I will modify to what you want. Its not hard. Please keep it Earthtone though. No Jeweltones please. Thanks Joe, in advance.

Rehearsal notes

Thanks hanging with me on the "experimentation" last night. You helped me accomplish my objectives with the songs. The rest of rehearsal also went very well. Thanks for you dedicated effort!

Today

This is what I decided to do today: Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.' Philippians 4:6.

Thanks Kim, for sending this up to the blog. Great rules to live by everyday. I think Im going to make it into a poster. Something about Tabloid size?

Who wants a signed copy?

Open letter to Rob

Thank you ROB WHARTON, for the wonderful party last night. Thank you for sharing your home, your cooking skills, and your love with us. You are a very special person - gifted, creative, loving, and wonderfully whacky! It is an honor to know you. Our choir is blessed by your presence.

Thanks also to Gina, your mom, and your kids. It is amazing that they were willing to give so much of themselves to us. Please, tell them that whether they sing with us or not, they ARE a part of the Brookwood Praise Choir!

ThaiOneOn Tomorrow

I am looking forward to the big Thai thing at Rob's tomorrow. I sure hope to see you there. It will be fun to be together; and it will be fun to be with Rob. We are so blessed to have Rob in our choir family. He's like a light that makes everything brighter and more alive when he walks in the room.

Kim C sent this ...

Daily Rules from God for 2008
1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day. 'Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Psalms 118:24
2. Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart .' I Samuel 16:7
3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. 'He who guards his lips guards his soul.' Proverbs 13:3
4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. 'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...' Galatians 6:9-10
5. Look Up!!... To the Lord. 'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.' Phillippians 4:13
6. Reach Up!!... For something higher. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.' Proverbs 3:5-6
7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers. ' Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.' Philippians 4:6

Interesting Event - If you are a BAND person

Received from Pecknel Music Company:

Join us for a special screening of . . .

From the 50 Yard Line

May 9th, at 6:00p.m.
at the Easley High School Auditorium
510 Pendleton Street, Easley, SC 29641
$10.00 per person ($5.00 goes to March for Music) Tickets available at the door.

Concessions will be available, but we are asking that people do not bring in outside food or drinks.

About the movie:
With the current popularity of reality TV shows and documentaries, it's no surprise that someone decided to follow a group of teenagers through band camp, auditions, rehearsals and competitions to document the lives of high school marching band students. The film From the 50 Yard Line presents the football field not only as a sports venue but also as a stage for the marching band. The viewer goes on an exciting adventure through band camp, auditions, the marching season, and the regional and national competitions. You see the great rewards of disciplined practice, the often-overlooked technical artistry of the group endeavor, and the important life changing effects of instrumental music education. The film also delves into the misconceptions about marching band, showing "band nerds" in a whole new light.
The documentary allows audiences to see just how emotionally gratifying - even life-changing - marching band can be for high school students. The film follows the Centerville (Ohio) High School marching band from suburban Dayton, former Grand National Champions. Recognizing that all bands, big and small, do amazing things, the film also portrays the band at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, which has just recently started up again after being silenced for 18 years due to music budget cuts. One wonders what music was lost forever during the silent years at schools nationwide in the same budget predicament.
The film tells the memorable story of music education, complete with the never-before seen emotional aspects of the experience. The students at the schools are wonderful subjects and their personal stories genuine and compelling. Nowhere else do you see hundreds of teenagers working together in such unison and commitment for one common goal. Instrumental music is being cut in high school across the country, Lantz explains. If people learn about the social and academic benefits of these programs, hopefully, [the programs] won't be cut in the future. That's one of the goals of this film.

According to studies mentioned in the documentary, teens who participate in music programs have higher SAT scores and better math and science grades. Marching bands also provide students with a supportive family atmosphere. When that's taken away, it's staggering to think of what's lost, Lantz says.
From the 50 Yard Line, which Lantz nicknames "Marching Band Appreciation 101," recently won the 2007 Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary through the Rhode Island International Film Festival and Best Family Film at the 2007 Bluegrass Independent Film Festival in the greater Louisville, KY, area. Robert W. Butler, of the Kansas City Star newspaper, writes, After seeing this you\'ll never again take for granted a high school marching band. For more information, please visit www.fromthe50yardline.com or contact PatrickMainieri@pickens.k12.sc.us.