Pre-school
And Christine has accepted the position of worship leader for Pre-school! Miss Michele came to me about a month ago and said that having the teens minister in worship for children's church was awesome, but could be put something together for pre-school as well. Perhaps a CD-team type format. That way the teens could use the existing kid songs, which have movements, etc., and they'd be able to lead them into worship, minister to them, etc.
More than just leading though, she also wanted them to be workers, so that they'd build relationship with the kids. Which is a great thing. It really helps you minister on a regular basis, when you have relationship with those you are ministering too!
Christine wanted to do it right away, but wanted to pray about it to see if it was something she was supposed to do. She is so busy already! Last night she said yes she really wanted to... she just hopes she isn't taking on too much!

I think it will be great. Once it is up and running she'll have an assistant who can fill in some of the time, so mostly it will be a leadership committement, more than a time committement. While is still a lot, but I know she can handle it. I'm excited about it!
posted by James at 5:56 AM

Children's Church
Becky couldn't lead in Children's Church this week-end, because she was already on the schedule to work in nursery. (One of the logistical things of working in multiple-ministries and leading. You have to let everyone know what your committments are, so they can plan accordingly!). So... Kirby will be leading in Children's Church today! Very cool. He has never lead before, but I'm sure he will do great, and Jaime and Erika will be there to help him out, if he does run into any problems.
Just more examples of youth stepping into ministry!
posted by James at 5:51 AM

Updates
Well I haven't posted here for a while. Not because nothing is going on... there is just a lot of routine stuff going on, plus with the hugh amount of drama practice, we haven't been doing any worship practice. Which is a really good indication of where the team is at! Drama practice all day, then run through the set for about 30 minutes to sound-check, etc., and they are ready to go!
The stage got re-arranged for the Easter drama, and we are going to leave it that way. It puts the drums way over in the corner, but it does allow the rest of the band to really spread out, which I think is very cool.
Well... that is about it, in general, I'll add a few other posts on specific things. Just makes updating, etc. easier. (having multiple posts).
posted by James at 5:48 AM

First drama practice
Yesterday was the first drama practice. It went great. I posted that in the Costa Rica blog. (Can't get to my blogs right now, so it makes it hard to add the link!)

After all day of drama practice, we grabbed some dinner, then went to practice. We started worship around 6:15, and it pretty much lasted the rest of the night! Everyone was exhausted, and it was just a great time of worship. Michael did an excellent job leading. Brought everything down at the end and just "waited on the Holy Spirit." He then went into I lay me down, by Darrell Evans. After the some people gave testimonies and then Pastor Rick did an alter call.

"I had two messages prepared for tonight, so it isn't like I didn't have anything to say... But I think this is really what God wanted us to do tonight!"

It is great when everyone is flowing with the Holy Spirit and it all works together! At about 7:20 Pastor Rick dismissed Fuel and came forward to give a short message. "I'm just going to wait and see what God wants me to talk about." He waited for a few minutes and then said that he didn't think God wanted him to say anything. That we were done. Zach then shouted "Let's worship", Pastor Rick said, "If the band wants to", and Michael said, "Lets go - James come and drum".

So we took off with some fast stuff. I never know the beginnings of songs I haven't played, so that was kind of messed up, but it was great fun. Although I did break a couple of sticks and get a blister on my hand. :-) Worshipping hard... the only way to go!

All it all, it was a great night of worship, and a great "Costa Rica" type experience. Kind of like camp to some extent! Work hard all day, and worship all night. I think sometimes we flow better with the Holy Spirit when we are exhausted... 'cause you are just too tired to do anything else!
posted by James at 6:10 AM