Posted on 08/05/2011 4:15:49 PM PDT by xzins
The following is notes taken by a member of Joel Osteen's church on a day a substitute was preaching. That's not really the point.
What is the best worship experience you ever had?
For me, I can think of a few:
1. The Cincinnati Billy Graham Crusade in Jul 2002. Third Day and Gaithers sang. Third Day was clearly led by the Spirit. Graham gave a simple sermon about the prodigal son that touched thousands of hearts. The simplicity of the message and appeal stunned me. An amazing event.
2. The year I was ordained Deacon in our denomination, the preacher was Bishop Kenneth Goodson from Mississippi(?) I believe. His sermon was "Is there any Hope?" and I was rapt by the question and the simple answer. (Yes. Jesus)
3. A Todd Agnew concert a few years back. A contemporary Christian musician who'd speak between songs. The music thrilled, but the message was basically, "If you're bee-bopping to the beat, then you're missing the point. This is about worshipping Almighty God." The message was direct and extremely convicting.
What was/were your best worship experience(s) ever? What made it so?
Whether or not you like Joel Osteen isn't the point, but the writer below shared a worship experience that meant something to him.
PLACE: Lakewood Church-Houston, Tx, Joel Osteen, Pastor
DATE: Saturday, March 12, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
THE MUSIC: Worship Team: Steve Crawford, Da’dra Crawford Greathouse, Israel Houghton, Choir & Band Songs: Here I Am To Worship, We Win, Great in Power, Forever, Friend of God, Free To Worship Ok, the title is a bit misleading because I think that every worship service is great. The atmosphere is always charged with excitement to enter into God’s presence. Everywhere you look you see faces of joy and anticipation.
Missed Cindy, but Steve, Da’dra, & Israel did a great job. One of my favorite worship songs to hear is “Forever.” I love the melody of the song and the words are simple and right on target. God is all around and it will always be that way. This song gently reminds me to stop stressing out and remember that God’s love and grace is enduring.
Forever God is faithful, Forever God is strong, Forever God is with us, Forever and ever. The Kids team is doing a great job with the kids choir. They were every bit of cute in their red and black and full of energy! They sung “My Number One” from the Hillsong Kids CD, which struck me as a great song for kids to learn. Great way to deposit that Jesus should always be number one in our lives. Loved the little rap part with the three little boys! Be sure to catch what Pastor Marcos said one of the little boys asked him after the song.
THE MESSAGE:
Scripture References:Mark 16, Psalm 63, Romans 10:14 Subject: Being A Messenger of the Best News
Quick Notes From The Sermon: The message was given by Spanish Pastor Marcos Witt, who’s unique and comical style never fails to get the message across clearly. He said that because we are always surrounded by bad news, good news is always fun to share. In true Marcos style he had a Houston Chronicle newspaper that he thumbed through reading off the news. He had the audience laughing when he said, “there’s an article that says that Marcos Witt will stop losing hair and stop gaining weight.”
Pastor Witt said that we should be excited about being good stewards of the message of Jesus Christ, the best message that humanity has ever had the priviledge to hear. Gospel is a Greek word that means “good news or good tidings”. He said that because of the blood of Jesus Christ our sin debt has been paid. Because our debt has been paid we should not let the enemy bring up past sins. The past has not only been forgiven, but forgotten.
God has a plan and a purpose for everything, and the good news of Jesus Christ assures us of hope for eternal life and assurance of salvation. Jesus gives us the confidence to know that we’ve been saved. Pastor Witt said that it’s exciting to him and other leaders to see Jesus Christ change lives. He said the message changes lives permanently and despair is replaced with hope. Pastor Witt said that we should give thought to how we’ll feel when we get to heaven and see all those we shared the gospel with. He ended with “Thank You For Giving to the Lord” by Ray Boltz.
**These are my quick notes from the sermon. To get the full effect you can watch this service and other archived services at Lakewood’s website or Pastor Joel’swebsite. You can also sign up for the free podcasts or call 1-800-487-0565 for copies of the sermons.
THE ATMOSPHERE: Being able to share the good news with others is an important part of being a believer. Pastor Marcos shared four tips for doing so:
1. Very simply share your story. 2. Be excited when you share. 3. Don’t cram it down their throat. 4. Don’t beat them over the head. The grace of the Gospel is that we sow the seed and the Holy Spirit does the work.
**************************************************************************** My vision for Notes From My Church is for others to share what is going on in their church services. I would love to hear what is going on in other places of worship. Let’s all share and encourage each other. It doesn’t have to be long, fancy, or perfect. Just place it in the following format: The Music, The Message, The Atmosphere and e-mail it to me at dominique@1800gospel.com. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks!
The best ever, the Latin Mass of my youih, in a Church guided by its traditions rather than a quest for modernity.
The best for me: last year, my first Latin Mass in 42 years, with my oldest daughter at my side.
The Latin Mass, every Sunday at 9 am.
***2. The year I was ordained Deacon in our denomination, the preacher was Bishop Kenneth Goodson from Mississippi(?) I believe. His sermon was “Is there any Hope?” and I was rapt by the question and the simple answer. (Yes. Jesus) ***
I’m sorry, X, that was just too funny. You - being ordained as Deacon. The Preacher - “Is there any hope?”
Walking alone about the grounds of New Skete Monastery on a peaceful winter day just before Christmas in 2008.
So many different types/styles of worship I have loved.
My church normally has quite up-beat music. Sometimes we host folks that are not used to that style. It is fun to see them get out of their chairs and move a bit. I tell my kids that it is biblical to dance until your family is embarrassed (see King David).
Other times we have a very quiet time, and I love to see folks get uncomfortable. When the music/singing stop, and everything gets quiet.
Other times I enjoy listening to folks like Keith Green or Misty Edwards at work. When work is going well and I am able to get lost in what I am hearing and doing, amazing times.
Probably my 2 favorite times were the first time my newborn daughters came to church. Something about worshipping God while holding a newborn...my newborn.
We need to learn to worship where we are - where ever that may be. A storm-tossed ship, sitting in prison, or even under the weight of a great injustice. (Hoping my heart checks this post later...)
Latin Mass at 1215 every Sunday with my DH.
Joel Osteen is a charlatan.
Best worship? Friday morning devotional at hymn-writing school.
Men’s rally at Promise Keepers
70,000 men singing from their hearts and souls unafraid to show their true spiritual self
Extremely moving and powerful The Holy Spirit was abounding
The place - St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Mint Hill, NC.
Date - Saturday night before Pentecost, 2011
Music - by Geovanny Marroquin (keyboard and vocals) and the congregation
Backup lightning, thunder, and deafening downpours by God.
The Message - The love of God is poured out for us through the Holy Spirit whom He sends us.
Preaching by Deacon Rafael, Brother Cristiano, Brother Vicente, Brother Roberto, and Sister Marliney. Salvadoran cuisine by Sister Andrea and Sister Maybelline. (I don’t like their tamales as much as the Mexican style, but I didn’t say so ;-).
A marvelous experience - from 7:00 to midnight - with our Spanish Charismatic group. Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Rosary. Singing and dancing. Wonderful lessons based on Scripture and real life, and I even understood most of the jokes. Verified healings, including one I experienced personally.
I have a wonderful worship experience every Sunday in my church - even when I’m leading the choir and wrangling all the byos - but when I can attend the Grupo Carismatico, it’s a special time of refreshment for me. My family doesn’t speak Spanish, and our schedule doesn’t often permit me to take that time away. I’m sort of a mascot for them: a non-hispanic charismatic who appreciates their music, prayer and culture, and has even more children than they do!
Only the complete “Grupo Kerygma,” Geovanny’s band, with their knockout lead guitarist Francisco, would have made the Pentecost Vigil even more terrific.
My answer is not meant to be sanctimonious or self-righteous.
My best worship is privately between me and God. Not at some “Worship-Fest.”
Ditto that, we had 50K at the Oakland Colosseum and hooked up via live video with 50K at Soldier Field in Chicago one year. That was awesome.
Every Easter Vigil Mass (starts around 11:00 pm) with 25 new Catholics came into the church in my parish.
Now xx that xx all the Catholic Churches around.
The Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are administered to these new Catholics and Catholics coming into full communion with the Catholic Church/those who needed Confirmation only.
Westminster Abbey. We went in to tour on a Sunday morning and the usher told us the tombs were closed, but we were welcome to sit for the service. They sat us in the knights 900 year old carved wood choir stalls. Then the Westminster Boys Choir came in and sat in the stalls on the other side of the aisle. The music was so moving both my husband and I had tears in our eyes. I’ll never forget it. Incredible.
Odd. I have never been worshipped, so I am unable to answer. It isn’t about the worshipper, it is about the Worshipped. Ask Him.
Well said.
You have a good point....to a point.
Since glorifying and worshipping God is the fulfillment of our purpose, then there is great satisfaction in that.
“To Him be the glory and the power, forever and ever.” 1 Peter 4:11
We would have a wonderful time of reflection and worship when we would attend vespers at the Abbey of St Hildegard near Rudesheim, Germany. The sisters would enter unseen and one would hear their clogs as they took their places. The sanctuary would be filled with their chant. Beautiful, magical, on a hillside overlooking acres of grapes alongside the Rhine.
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