Dear Congress

Dear Congress,

Please, just stay on holiday. With all your stupid political infighting over a dangerous and socialist bailout plan, you caused to Dow to tumble 777 points yesterday. Today, while you're on vacation (for Rosh Hashanah of all things, but I digress) the market gains 485 points, the dollar surges, and price of gasoline drops.

STAY HOME!

Worship Setlist Carnival - September 7, 2008

To continue my participation in Fred McKinnon's Setlist Carnival, where you post your song service setlist for the week and link back to his site with the goal is to see what others are doing in order to help with our own planning and whatnot, here's our setlist for this past week:

Christian Church of Broomfield
8:00 (Traditional) Service
Stepping in the Light (331)
Spirit of the Living God (361)
Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (311)
Sweet, Sweet Spirit (529)
Emmanuel (Amy Grant)
Nearer, My God, to Thee (157 -communion)
I Need You (Rick Founds -invitation)
Stepping in the Light (331)

10:45 (Contemporary) Service
My Redeemer Lives (Tim Hughs)
Everlasting God (Brenton Brown)
Healer (Michael Guglielmucci)
Spirit of the Living God (Chris Falson)
Sweet, Sweet Spirit (529)
In You (Bart Millard)
Breathe (Kathryn Scott -communion)
Draw Me Close (Kelly Clarkson -invitation)
Everlasting God (reprise -closing)

Happy Birthday, Nick

Fourteen years ago today the young man you see here (getting a secret told to him by his baby cousin :)) came into my life. The journey of parenting has thus far been both the most difficult and rewarding of my life. I've shed more tears than I can count, been frustrated and angry, been bursting with pride, and am still continually amazed at how much love I have for this child.

He was born into a troubled marriage that did not last past his third birthday. He's lived in several places, went to several schools, and has had several parental figures come in and out of his short life. He's dealt with new life, death, divorce, and known failure. He's also known success, forgiveness, grace, and peace. That's a lot for a fourteen-year-old who'd really rather pick up his dad's guitar and play 'Kryptonite' or plop down on the floor next to his dog and play something on the Playstation.

He's brilliant, clever, fun, sarcastic, energetic and has a giant heart. He loves to play basketball and skateboard, almost as much as he loves his dog. He loves his family, in spite of it all. He's a loyal friend, and a peacemaker. He tries hard to please, and surprises us with the good choices he makes. He does his work, sometimes with a little prodding from my wife and/or myself, but almost always with a great attitude. He loves music, taking up clarinet and guitar. He loves to draw and to create. And he's good.

He hates school. (we're working on that :) )

I'm sorry, son, for the bad things I've put you through. I love you and I'm so very proud of you. You're a great kid, and I wish I could put into words how much I love you and how much hope I have for your future.

God be with you, Nicholas, as you turn this page on your life.

Worship Setlist Carnival - August 31, 2008

I was away from church for a couple of weeks, so getting back into the swing of things.

To continue my participation in Fred McKinnon's Setlist Carnival, where you post your song service setlist for the week and link back to his site with the goal is to see what others are doing in order to help with our own planning and whatnot, here's our setlist for August 31, 2008:

Christian Church of Broomfield, Sunday August 31, 2008
8:00 (Traditional) Service
Faith is the Victory (216)
The Heavenly Vision (344)
The Light of the World is Jesus (57)
I Walk By Faith (Chris Falson)
My Wonderful Lord (60 -communion)
Oh, How He Loves You and Me (570 -invitation)
Shine, Jesus, Shine (Cliff Richard)

10:45 (Contemporary) Service
Here I am to Worship (Tim Hughs)
You Never Let Go (Matt Redman)
Glorify (Linda Barnhill)
I Walk By Faith (Chris Falson)
God of Wonders (Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd -communion)
Today is the Day (Lincoln Brewster -invitation)
Today is the Day (reprise -closing)

You may notice from past weeks that we've pared down a little on the number of osngs for our contemporary service. That's a direct result of being part of this carnival and the feedback I've received. I've talked to our worship leader about cutting back on the number of songs we do with the idea of quality over quantity - giving us the opportunity to do a few songs well, rather than several songs mediocre.