Praise Pics

Thanks to John Landry's wife for these amazing pictures....!

Swiping An Article

I love cut and paste. As a Typesetter, I use it all the time. Makes work go by very quickly and efficiently. This morning, while on the NING site, I noticed this article down to the lower left of Joe Wood's page. Very relevant, so I swiped it, copied it, and am pasting it here.

This is so true. We are not Choir Members, we are not a group singing together, we are Worship Pastors... what an honor upon us, from the hand of God. I am in awe with the trust that God has placed in me, and on us, to lead our congregation... not only in music, but in praise and WORSHIP. Wow. Great thing to get hit with on a Monday morning.

Here's some God Food for the brain:

As Worship Pastors, our goal is simple: reach the community with the love of God and encourage believers to grow in their faith through music; that's a no brainer! The thing that takes time, skill and determination is to grow a music ministry that meets the needs of a growing congregation.

The rest of the article is on Joe's page. Its an RSS Feed from PraiseCharts.com. Good stuff.

Bless you all this week with God's Peace and Love.
See you Wednesday!

A Big Compliment

This morning one of the guys in the band stopped me and gave us a compliment. He's a guy who has played in bands all of his life, part of it as a professional musician. He said to me this morning, "Joe, I've been watching the choir, and there is not one person with an ego in the group!" He was pretty amazed.

You see, for musicians, this is unusual. You get a bunch of musicians together, and there is usually someone trying to grab the spotlight, or prove that they are better than someone else. Often there is bickering as people get upset over how things are done. We just don't have that in our group. God has been very gracious to us in giving us the sweet community that we have.

Let's thank God for it, and let's preserve it. Let's ask Him to help us to recognize it when "self" starts to creep into something we are doing and weed it out. Let's pray that we are always able to keep the attention on Him. It's all about Him!

By the way. You sounded wonderful this morning. It was a sweet time in His presence.

Acapella Ensemble

If you are interested in singing in an Acapella Ensemble you'll want to take note of this announcement.

Next week after rehearsal, we will conduct interviews with those interested in participating in an Acapella Ensemble. Since blend and intonation are such a critical part of this kind of ensemble, you'll be asked to sing a little bit.

Prayer For Casey Barnes

Please remember Casey Barnes in your prayers. Casey’s wife Carol called the church just a little while ago and said that she had taken Casey to the doctor this morning and he has pneumonia. He is at home, but the doctor told him that if he had waited any longer he would have had to put him in the hospital.

Please pray that Casey will have a speedy recovery and be feeling better real soon!

Prayer Requests

If you have any prayer requests for this week, please send them to robwharton@charter.net. I will be putting them up on the screen in the chapel, so we can Get Some Prayer On for these needs. Big or small, we all need a bit of the good word. So send them in!

God's Peace and Love to you all.

Dress For Sunday Praise Date

The theme of the series is the same, so shall be the dress. Black pants, slacks, skirts,...
Dark hues for the tops. Tails in if possible.

NO WHITE, please. If you look at the video on line there were a couple that had light colors on, and they really wash out. Especially against the diamond vision thing they got working behind us.... so keep the hues darker: Purples, Reds, Blues, Greens....

Love and God's Peace to you all.

This Week ...

Remember that next Sunday we'll be helping to lead worship on the main stage. Since we are not doing a "feature song" we'll not attend the Thursday technical rehearsal. We'll keep our regular Wednesday rehearsal time (6-8PM).

The set list for Sunday is as follows:

• You Are the Lord
• Lord of Lords (Prince of Peace)
• I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
• Jesus Paid it All

Next Sunday morning, we'll meet at 7AM for warmup, run thru, and sound check. Our new choir risers are shipping this week. So, pray with me that the truck will make it quickly to Greenville and that we can sing from our risers on Sunday.

Rehearsal Notes

Wow! It's Friday afternoon and I just realized that I didn't post rehearsal notes this week. I apologize.

Yes ... we had a great rehearsal. You are blowing my mind with the fast learning and hard work that you are doing. You sounded AWWWWESOME this week. The 8 part thing on You Are the Lord was incredible. And you nailed it so quickly!

What does God have in store for us? You know, I think our most amazing dreams could be reality in the not too distant future. Let's be in prayer asking God to shape our vision. We want to put all of our effort into going where he wants us to go.
I've only been surfing a few times, but the feeling I'm getting now is that feeling you get on a surfboard as you feel the wave building beneath you, right before you find yourself rocketing down the face of the wave. Get ready to rocket, folks!

So how do I want you to practice this week? Please, work on all the songs in your packet this week. Be sure you know them well. Next Wednesday we need to work on NEW music and won't have much time to go back to music we are singing next Sunday.

Invite a friend to rehearsal next week. Let's share the fun we are having!!

Opportunity - Brookwood Singles

The Brookwood Singles Ministry would like to invite all choir members to join the Sunday Night Singles Praise and Worship team. Judy Olson is organizing a Praise and Worship team for the Ignite, or 35+ age group. This team will sing two or three times a month on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. If enough choir members volunteer, the team members can rotate as often as possible. The music is all very similar to our Sunday morning worship selections. It is also a great opportunity to serve the Lord, and exercise our voices with a great group of people. Just ask Rob, he loves it!

If you are interested, or would like more information, notify Judy at: 864.787.0163, or email: jao52@hotmail.com.

NOTE: You do not have to be single to be a part of this Praise and Worship team.

Yeah ... we're goofy! We love it!

Monica Pryor

Family - You can follow Monica Pryor's journey through her personal, online journal, and you can sign her guest book by going to this link http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/monicapryor. Monica, as you all know, is the young lady who was featured in last week's message, and blessed us all with her skills on the violin for Live Like You Were Dying. If nothing more, be inspired by this courageous woman, and lift her up in your prayers and well wishes.

In God's Peace and Love.

Unique Spiritual Gifts

It took me a couple of days to collect my thoughts about this past Sunday. Wow, what an emotional day!

Let me just start by saying that Tammy and Lisa may seem fairly quiet during choir practice, but at the risk of blowing the lid off their low profile images... those girls are 'off the hook'. Plus they have that sister thing going for them. They can communicate volumes to each other with just a wink and a scratch. So there’s a lot more going on over there in the soprano section than most of us are aware of. To put it in slightly more spiritual terms.... you girls certainly have the "gift of hilarity". Despite the personal challenges you and your families are going through with Lisa’s kidney disease, ...as always, you are finding the humor in the situation. Thanks for lifting my spirits on Sunday. You know I’m a crier on a normal Sunday… and this was anything but a normal Sunday. I was kind of nervous about being on stage and really losing it this time. So again, thanks to you and our other partners in crime in the locker room (you know who you are), I really experienced the joy of the LORD.

Speaking of spiritual gifts, I've recognized that along with Joe and Steve's many other gifts and talents, they also both possess the rare "gift of the duck paddle". There were many technical and emotional challenges that accompanied our worship service this past Sunday, but while paddling like crazy underneath, you two guys were calm and peaceful above the surface. We are blessed to have your leadership.

Doug, you did a fantastic job with “Live Like You Were Dying” (Tim MrGraw eat your heart out). And Monica, girl… you amazed me. What an honor it was to lift God up in praise with you. You definitely inspired one of those occasions when the angels leaned over to watch and listen. Awesome… Awesome is our God!

The solution for part of the hectic schedule

Did you know that the Brookwood Cafe serves Chik-Fil-A at 5:30 on Wednesdays, and Bucky's BBK at 5:30 on Thursdays?

If you are rushing straight to rehearsal from work, you can grab a sandwich right at the church before going into rehearsal.

For only $3.00 you get a sandwich, chips, and a soft drink. It's the best meal deal in town!!

From now on I plan to sit down at 5:30 and just chill with my choir buddies, nibbling on my sandwich and chips, until it's time for rehearsal to begin.

For you cat lovers ...

Invitation from Brookwood

Dear Praise Choir Members,

We want to make sure that you are personally invited to the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Event.

When:

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Time:

6:00-7:30pm

Details:

Volunteer spouses are welcome.

Dinner for your family is provided.

Dress is casual.

Registration:

Register for this free event and childcare is available online at www.brookwoodchurch.org/paperclip or you can call Ellen Taylor at 864.688.8233. Please allow the staff at Brookwood to show you how much we appreciate the time and talents that you share with this church, by joining us for this special “fun-filled” evening. Please take a moment right now and register for the event. We hope to see you all there!

Remember Today

Take some time to reflect on what God did today. Write about it in your journal. You'll want to come back to this day and remember what God said to us. You'll want to be able to refresh in your memory the special moment in which God let us participate. You'll want to remember the important message that God was giving us ... to live each day as if it were our last. The truth that dominates our minds today will tend to be obscured by the daily-ness of life in the coming months. Don't let that happen. Benchmark the truth and the experience, and let God use it to change your life forever.

Of course, I've received many positive comments about your singing. That's nice ... but somehow, in light of the depth of the spiritual experience that we shared, what we did doesn't seem important. It is so overshadowed by the power of God's presence and the power of his truth.

It was an honor to share in this ministry with you today. Thank you for your service.

Rehearsal Notes - 9/12/08

Last night was a great rehearsal. The new setup is creating some technical challanges for everyone, but I think most of them will be worked out by Sunday. Those that aren't worked out, we'll work around. We may not get paid for this, but we ARE trained professionals!! :)

In the next few days, just keep singing with your CD, reviewing the parts where you personally need work. AND, let's be in prayer that God will take our best efforts and do something wonderful for his glory.

Ok. Its A BOY.

All I can say, is Thank God Almighty. We need to balance out this gender thing, and special thanks to Jerilin, Docs, Alan and our Saviour for making that happen. Good news all.... Jerilin delivered a healthy baby boy last night: Johnathan Alan. Mom is resting comfortably (please visit on Friday), and baby is (as Joe puts it... is Calm and Peaceful).

God Bless Our Girl, her new addition to the Jackson family, the doctors who delivered him, and all of you for praying.

In God's Peace and Love.

Jerilin

A quick update on our girl, Jerilin. Her doc put her into the hospital today, and she will be having a C Section (I guess emergency, since they really didnt plan it until the 24th of September). She is in Room 430 at St. Francis Women's Hospital. C Sections put one down for a bit, so Im sure visitation is possible on Friday. She will need rest and recoup tomorrow. Lets all pray for God's Grace and Healing Mercies to cover her and her doctors during this time.

Our God is an awesome God, and all things happen on His reason and His time.

His Love and Peace to you all.

Thursday Rehearsal

We WILL Be meeting in iPod tomorrow at 6pm. The room freed up for us, so it may be a bit cramped, but we will meet in Pod I (did i say iPod?) from 6-7 for tune up, warm up, prayer and announcements. Then to the blacktop with the band to get some Praise On.

Love and God's Peace To You All.
(please pass this on to any who might not read the blog)

What To Wear For Sunday!

Live Like You Were Dying.

The message is subdued, and in case you haven't read the blog, the Big Number: Live Like You Were Dying - has special circumstance this Sunday.

That being said,

Here's what to wear....

Absolutely nothing white (messes with the cameras)

Black Pants.
Dark Color Tops - Dark Greens, Navy, Deep Red, Maroon, Burgundy, Purple. Try to avoid Blacks, Browns and other Earthy tones for the tops. We want color, but with serious hue.

If you would like, tails can be out if they are squared. If not, tuck em in (would be preferable).

Any questions let me know at robwharton@charter.net!

Love and God's Peace with you all.

Childcare

I apologize. I should have given this to you earlier, but it slipped my mind ...

Childcare will be available Thursday evening, but parents will need to schedule childcare 48-hours in advance. You can do this by going to the Brookwood Website and clicking on “Resources” and then “Childcare”. You will submit a request via the web. You will then print the form and take it to the bookstore to purchase the “childcare ticket”. If you have any questions call Craig Thompson at 688-8320.

By the way, members of the Praise Choir contribute to a fund to pay for childcare for choir members. If you would benefit from this assistance, just see Kim Carter or Chris Lindsey for the childcare vouchers.

- Joe

NEWS FLASH - Sunday

Perry asked in the production meeting this morning if we can stay to sing "Live Like You Were Dying" at the end of the service on Sunday. The main impact on us is that we'll get out of the third service later than normal.

Here's why he wants to do it. A woman in our church is actually living the last months of her life, having been given by the doctors until Christmas to live. She is actually "living the dash". She plays violin, and Perry wants her to play with us on the song, after he shares the woman's story with the congregation.

I have to say, my answer to Perry can be given in only three words. YES, YES, YES!!! It will be an amazing moment for all of us.

If you have a conflict that will prevent you from staying through the third service, please let me know. I will understand and will support you.

THURSDAY Reheasal This Week

Here's a reminder AND some additional info ...

1. Rehearsal this week will be on Thursday evening rather than Wednesday. For those of you that are new, I hope we've told you this before. Since we rehearse with the band on the weeks of our Praise Dates, we have to meet on Thursday night. We will will rehearse together from 6 to 7 PM together. Then we'll go on the blacktop for the technical rehearsal with the band from 7 to 8 PM.

2. Since Brookwood U needs so much space on Thursday evenings, we are giving up our normal rehearsal space and will meet in the HALLWAY near the Green Room. I actually think that it will be a good rehearsal space. If you don't know where the Green Room is, just head to the chapel and look for the signs pointing you to us. If you have any questions, call me at 787-5425.

Sunday is going to be great!! Let's bathe it in prayer this week.

Strengthening Family Ties

Hi Gang,

I just wanted to post a follow up to Joe's post about the new prayer request section on Praise Choir People (PCP). I really appreciate the effort that Joe has put into creating this online social network for us. Some of the PCP site just shadows what you see here on the blog, but there is a lot more. Joe had asked me to give some thought and prayer to how we can build closer choir family bonds. I think the PCP site is a great place to start.

I'd like to encourage each of you to create a page (if you haven't already) where you can post the information you'd like to share with us. Pictures are also great! And I'd like to offer myself as the "go to guy" for technical assistance. If I don't know the answer to your question, I'll find out or we'll figure it out together. My email address is sharyn625@yahoo.com and I'll give my phone numbers out at the next practice.

As our choir family grows, the PCP site can be a great place for the new members to quickly get to know us as individuals and for us all to get to know each other better. Another benefit... I won't be embarrassed to ask you for the 4th time what your children's names are. (Has anyone seen my missing brain cells?) So get busy, people...we want to know all about you.

I love y'all,

Sharyn
PS. Please feel free to also share your ideas for strengthening our choir family ties.

Prayer Requests

We now have a section on Praise Choir people where we can post prayer requests. Check it out on the left hand column under the Members Photo section.

Here's a link to Praise Choir People: PRAISE CHOIR NETWORK

Note from Doug Hunt

I was so grateful that Doug Hunt came to rehearse with us last night. I thought that we had a great rehearsal with him. I love Doug, consider him to be a great talent, and am proud to call him my friend. He sent me this email message today and wants me to pass it on to you ...

Joe,

Please pass along to the choir my apologies for not being all I should have been for them last night. I love them, and that song, and both deserve better. I thought I knew it better. It was one of those time where you think you've got it but "live " it just isn't there...kinda like Clemson last week....

Also I'd like for them to know I'm spread thin right now. I signed up for Varsity last spring to help on Wed. and of course that's the same night as choir. We need one more night per week. Anyway that's where I had to rush off to last night.

I love this group and feel so much from them! I'm disappointed everytime the choir sings without me. I don't know what it is except the Holy Spirit in that group but I'm filled with joy and energy everytime I'm around them.

Thanks Joe for passing this along and Love, Love, Love to my choir family!!!

Doug

Something To Live By, With and For

I get these every day. They are always relevant to me as I have been through the Christ Life course. Sometimes, they are relevant. Period. To everyone. Amen. To this, I share with you all. God's Peace.

Rehearsal Notes

Thanks for your work last night. I'm delighted with the progress we made. I was very happy with the "contemporary" sound that you were able to create in Take My Life.

Please, remember to practice singing in front of a mirror this week. It's important that we begin to get a sense for how we come across visually as we lead worship. Thanks!

Next week we'll have our technical rehearsal on Thursday. So we'll meet in the Chapel at 6 and then head to the blacktop at 7.

Basketball League

Does anyone in the choir have a child that plays in the AAU basketball league? If so, you may be able to help another choir member with transportation. Let me know, please. Thanks.

PraiseChoirPeople

If you are new to the Brookwood Praise Choir, be sure to check out PraiseChoir.ning.com. It's a social networking site dedicated to our group. You'll find all kinds of cool stuff there. And you'll be able to connect to others in the group. The link is in the right hand panel of this page. Or you can use this link.

PRAISE CHOIR NETWORK

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for the following three folks in our Praise Choir family:

1)  Pray for Casey Barnes and his family (Casey is one of the Praise Band's bass players).  His mother had surgery this morning for breast cancer.  The surgery went well and they think the cancer was contained and they were able to get it all.  PRAISE GOD!  Casey and his family are in Texas so that he could be with his Mother during the surgery today, and will be traveling back to Greenville later this week.  Pray for his entire family during this process and also pray for travel mercies when they return back to Greenville.

2)  Continue to pray for Jerlin as she is having complications with her pregnancy and is on bed rest.  Pray that she will continue to do well and have a healthy baby with no additional complications.

3)  Prayer for Lea Ann Montoya.  She was running in a race on Saturday and fell and broke her arm.  She broke her right arm and she is right handed.  Pray for quick healing so that she can get back to normal again.

As a choir family we all need to lift up each other in prayer often.  Join me in praying for these specific prayer requests.

Thanks!

Bring a friend ...

Remember that Steve invited us to bring a friend with us to rehearsal this week. Have you thought of who you might bring?

Tell your friend that he or she is not JOINING the choir by coming. They are just checking us out and seeing what we are all about. God can tell them whether or not he wants them to join with us in our ministry.

See you tomorrow at 6PM.