Christian Education Committee Restructuring
The Governing Board has approved the restructuring of
the CE Committee to consist of the following positions (current position holders
in parenthesis):
CE
Director (Les Hathaway)
Staff Pastor (Pastor Brian)
Sunday School Superintendent (Han Smid)
Children’s Ministries Coordinator (Michelle Kolceski)
AWANA Commander (Mike Maloney) or
representative
Youth Group
representative
Nursery
representative
The Children’s Ministries Coordinator will
represent all the children’s ministries with the exception of AWANA. These
currently include Sunday School, VBS, Children’s Church, and Quizzing. Please
forward any children’s concerns to Michelle to bring to the CE Committee. A
form is available for reporting purposes. The committee will meet bimonthly or
quarterly as needed. The meeting dates will be posted in the bulletin.
This restructuring of the committee was necessary to
formalize and streamline the committee, eliminate confusion as to who should be
on it, and enable the committee to function in an efficient way. Thanks
to all who serve on the committee. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 21st.
Worship and Music Notes
The scriptures have a fair amount to say about
artistry including the necessity of ability, skill, and calling to be engaged in
making articles of worship as well as leading in music (Ex 35:10, 25, 30-35;
36:1; 1 Chr 15:16, 22; 25:1,7; Ps 33:1-3).
The scriptures also tell us how we are to come
before Him in worship. Psalm 33:1-5 says, “Rejoice in the LORD, O you
righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the LORD with the
harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new
song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the LORD is right,
And all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth
is full of the goodness of the LORD. NKJV
Several helpful principles are indicated in these
verses:
Ø
We are to come rejoicing as people of God. Only true believers
can do so! As Christians, we have received the righteousness that comes from
Christ (Ro 3:22). That is why the psalmist refers to them as righteous.
(According to Romans 4:3 even in the Old Testament those who placed their
faith in the God of Abraham were counted as righteous). Those who know and love
the Lord should be the most joyful people on earth! Even in difficult times we
can rejoice in the knowledge of God our savior. (Ps 146:1-2)
Ø
We are to realize that God loves to hear praise from His people! We are
to praise Him at all times and in all places not just in the church building on
Sunday morning. His interest is in having His righteous ones praising Him from
the heart as a way of life. I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the
gods I will sing praises to You. I
will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your loving
kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name (Ps
138:1-2 NKJV). And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not
unto men; (Col 3:23).
Ø
As congregational members we can all sing to Him a new song,
regardless of ability (Ps 144:9). Others are gifted to lead in worship either by
voice or instrument. Whatever He has given us and skilled us with we should use
for His glory. Certainly the instruments listed above are not the only ones we
can use in our worship. They were the ones available at the time. The important
thing is that we use the gifts and abilities he has given us. We can worship Him
with stringed instruments, horns, woodwinds, percussion, piano, electronic
(organ/keyboard) and other instruments as well as our voices.
Ø
We are to worship Him in truth. The above scripture says, For
the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth. Everything
we do in worship must be according to the revealed truth of His word and His
Spirit (Ps 138:2; John 4:24). Let us engage our minds as well as our hearts.
Both are necessary and desired in order to worship properly. We should not be
afraid of using either.
Ø
We are to consider His attributes and His works as we worship Him. He is
righteous and just, all His works declare His glory and the earth is full of the
goodness of the Lord. Let us praise Him and be thankful for all He is and has
done.
Let’s all praise and worship the Lord every day of
our lives and come together on Sunday mornings looking forward to corporate
worship with the saints!
Psalm 92
Praise to the LORD for His Love and Faithfulness A
Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And
to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the
morning, And Your faithfulness every night,
Ps 92:1-2 NKJV
Psalm 150
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His
sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of
the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and
dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud
cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD! NKJV
Pastor Brian
