A prayer request from Pastor Rick

Dear Argyle family,

We were in Chattanooga just a few days ago to attend a college reunion and visit some very special friends.

I grew up there during 1965-1979. Donna and I met there 41 years ago. It's a special place to us.

Charleston has always been one of my favorite cities. We have a niece in college there. A beautiful city.

The atrocity committed in place of worship recently is beyond comprehension.

There's a problem on the inside.

"Above all else, guard your heart. For everything in life flows from it."

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Praying today for the families.

Praying for Charleston.

Praying for Chattanooga.

Praying for our military and first-responders.

Praying for America.

Praying for life-change.

Rick

Pastor Rick speaks to our Worship Team...

Dear Worship Team,

Thank you for sharing your time and talent as a singer, player and technician.

We are SO blessed at Argyle. God is awesome. You are awesome. Thank you.

It's very important that you guard your heart.

It's very important that you have personal guard rails in place.

It's very important that you pray and study your Bible every day.

It's very important that you remind yourself of exactly why you play, sing and tech

and who you play, sing and tech for!

When we forget that, 

then we show up late, unprepared, with a heart far from being open to worship...

We'll be tempted to complain, be jealous, feel sorry for ourself and develop a bitter spirit.

We might even begin to think it's all about us!

There is too much at stake for our efforts to be misguided.

There is too much at stake for us to be complacent.

As worship leaders, it is our calling and our responsibility to lead our people into the very presence of God.

We can't lead where we haven't been.

Each week, spend quality time with God. Acknowledge His greatness. Confess your sins.

Pray for God's anointing on our worship.

Pray for your pastor (God knows he needs it.)

Each week, spend quality time with your music. Rehearse on your own. Listen to the mp3's online.

If you're confident with the music, that will allow you to worship freely.

Come prepared to offer Him your absolute best. He's worthy. He's so worthy.

God has blessed The Church at Argyle.

This Sunday, we will begin two worship gatherings to allow us to minister to more people and allow our Children's Ministry Team to attend our worship gatherings every week.

This opportunity will require greater commitment from all of us. I believe we are up to the task.

If I schedule music at the end of the worship gathering, it will be a solo.

That will allow you to leave, if you choose, after the music at the second worship gathering.

Please always attend at least one of the complete worship gatherings.

This is our new schedule:

8:00 am       Arrive/warm up/tune

8:15 am       Downbeat of the first song

9:00 am       First worship gathering

10:30 am     Second worship gathering

6:00 pm       Christmas rehearsal

Please invite people. You are our most effective outreach opportunity.

Here we go.

God's up to something good. It's exciting to be part of it!

I'll see you Sunday at 8!

Love you all,

Rick

A Guest Post... Thank You...

First, a word of explanation for those who aren't familiar with the back story.

Our guest poster, Beth Reed, is a member of the Argyle family. Her 13 year old daughter, June, was in an accident on Saturday, January 22. She suffered a serious head injury, and was admitted to Wolfson Children's Hospital that day. Her injury was potentially life-threatening, with the possibility of permanent damage.

Dear Church At Argyle:

I've been trying for a few days now to compose this thank you but I'm struggling. The words just don't seem to want to flow. They are all kinda log jammed in my brain. I know sometime soon the log jam will clear and the words will rush out of me like a verbal water fall but until then I guess this will have to do. 

Yesterday marked the end of what I can say with clear conscience was the single worst week of my life. It ended when I left June with her sister and ran to the store to get her prescription. Returning home I could hear it before I got out of my car. Music. Loud music. The path my heart took from chest to stomach when I saw the police car last Saturday was now reversing. I could feel its joyful beat and it dislodged itself from my stomach and happily marched back into my chest. As I opened my front door and walked straight into a wall of music, God was there and He said “See, I told you.” I walked into the kitchen and just let it roll over me. The sight of my girl, no, not MY girl, OUR girl perched in her daddy's chair whaling away on her drum kit. I knew it was going to be alright. 

You, my beloved Church at Argyle have been there every step of the way. From Mrs. Sarah showing up in the ER before June had her first CT-Scan, to the Bass family surviving getting puked on in the ICU, (dude, by the way - June puking on the Student Pastor has now become family legend) to Mrs. Donna holding her hand while June talked her way through her PICC-line installation, to Mrs. Amy standing on her feet for HOURS holding June's hand and bringing tape! To “Awesome Emmie” bringing love and letters, to Pastor Hal defending Peter and Paul, to Mrs. Sarah laughing off June's verbal filter failure and finally, to the vastness of the prayer chain, thick and ponderous with its power. 

I have never experienced anything quite like the last week but what amazes me most is what I've found in the midst of the chaos. The moments of love and laughter and support and learning that your prayer afforded me. God saved my child, He brought her back to me, but you? You lifted me up and you opened my eyes so I could see. 

In the face of all of this, thank you seems rather inconsequential but as Mrs. Sara admonished me “Beth, just say thank you.” (Yes Ma'am Ms. Sarah.)

To you Pastor Rick, Mrs. Donna, the leadership, staff and congregation of The Church At Argyle, I say,

Thank you!

Beth Reed

Some words from Rick's heart for the Argyle family...

Dear Argyle Family,

Last Sunday night was a wonderful event and experience for us. I found myself getting verklempt (Mike Myers/Coffee Talk) at the end and wasn't able to express all that I wanted to share.

My partner in ministry for 34 years (in fact, we were in ministry together 2 years before we married) is vital to everything God has called us to do. (You think I don't know that the only reason you keep me around is so you can have Donna.) Her heart, commitment and love for people is a beautiful thing to behold. I cannot imagine doing this without her. Like Ms. Becky, she is a model pastor's wife. It truly was love at first sight.

Our children are such a joy and inspiration to me. I've learned so many life lessons by hanging with them. To know they love me and are praying for me is huge.

My parents and Donna's parents are extraordinary people. How do you put a value on never doubting for a moment that you are unconditionally loved? The only problem with having parents like that is that I don't have anyone to blame for my screw-ups.

My dear friend Ken shaped my heart and life in so many ways. I miss him greatly. I still feel as though I'm just filling in for him. Maybe someday I will be a smidge of the gentleman and Christ follower that he exemplified. To have the support of Becky, Kenny and Darrell in this new adventure is beyond expression. Becky, thank you for your affirmation again Sunday night.

Amy, Terri, Hal and David are all very gifted and have a heart for God and the Argyle family. Thank you for your words and actions of encouragement. We are blessed with a wonderful team.

Our Creative Team, Drama Team and Technical Team all play a part not only in last Sunday night's event but every week as we work together to bring people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything you do, on or behind the stage, makes an impact. I know that it doesn't happen by itself. Thank you.

It's a beautiful thing to see your racquetball buddy grow into a Christ follower with a servant's heart. Thank you, Leroy and Kitchen Team. You are amazing.

I appreciate very much the words of encouragement from Phil and Tim. They have known me many years. It's hard to fake someone out for that long. The fact that they seem to still have respect for me is very humbling. Also, thank you Evie and Connie.

Some of the video was a little embarrassing. But I did it, so I've gotta take it like a man. Yet, we were very passionate that we needed to speak The Message in the language of the 70's and 80's culture. Maybe God found a way to use some of that stuff for His glory.

Thank you, Argyle Family, for your love and support (though you are my main source of High Anxiety). The anxiety is not because of anything that you have done. It's the weight of the responsibility. Since I'm teaching that to have anxiety is wrong, I probably should stop it. I am thankful that God is growing me to trust Him to care for you.

I'm convinced that some of the world's most wonderful people are in our midst.

If I left you out, I'm sorry. I'm getting verklempt again.

Rick

A word from Rick...

Dear Argyle- September 5 was an incredible day at Argyle! What a beautiful thing it was to see the different parts of our body work together as one. I am so thankful for and proud of our KidStuf Team, our Greeters and Ushers, Dan and the Chairmen, Leroy and the Kitchen Team, Amy and the Children's Ministry Team, Beth, David and Kim for capturing the event with photos, Tommy and Ricky for building the Snow Cone House, Leroy's Dad for donating the Snow Cone Machine, Leroy's brother, John, who delivered the machine and everyone who stepped up to cover all of the costs of the day so that we could offer everything without charge. Over 600 attended and everyone enjoyed a great show, food, fun and Christian fellowship. It doesn't get any better than that! Two weeks ago, 30 wonderful people became members at Argyle with two coming for baptism. God is good! See you Sunday, Rick

A word from Rick...

I met with someone this week who has been visiting our church.

This is someone I respect very much.They went on and on about how awesome our worship and music is at Argyle.

We are so blessed. Please don't take for granted the wonderful team that God has assembled at Argyle.

God is good!

Rick Painter

Worship Arts Pastor

Answering Prayers...

God is answering the prayers of His people as He gently and slowly heals our broken hearts. The ministry and work goes on as we bring people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, increase intimacy with God, community with insiders, influence with outsiders and create irresistible environments that encourage and enable these things.

Now is the time to be faithful. Now is the time to give your time, talents and treasure. God is in control.

Thank you for all that you do to make Argyle a loving, caring and very special place.

Rick Painter

Worship Arts Pastor

A word from Rick...

I am thankful that God continues to heal our hearts though the loss is huge.

Life is fragile. Time is short. Let's give our best to the things that really matter.

When you pray:

• Declare His greatness
• Surrender your will
• Acknowledge your dependence for provision, pardon, protection.

Rick Painter

Worship Arts Pastor

We Are So Blessed...

I was just thinking today of all of the wonderful people that make our Singing Christmas Tree possible. Extra dear to my heart are the "behind the scenes" servants. These invaluable people never stand on stage or in the glow of the spotlight.

Alan Goode has the assembly of the tree structure down to a fine science. Thank you, Alan and all those who work with you to make the tree sturdy and safe.

Jerry McCann and Darren Prevatt worked tirelessly to keep the tree lights working.

John Santillo and his team served hundreds of cups of coffee and hot chocolate with a smile.

Mary Karpf, while dealing with her own sickness, flawlessly coordinated our childcare during the rehearsals and performances.

Stan Stufflebeam rehearsed the band (our band is awesome!), organized our music, put up the sign and took care of many details.

Keith Thompson put together the beautiful video graphics that the audience enjoyed during the show. Keith's video work is second to none.

Pastor Ken never fails to bring us stories that are relevant and moving. While many preachers are bent on "shucking the corn" our Pastor shares wonderful stories – just like Jesus did! Thank you, Pastor Ken for you support.

Mark Reed takes 48 inputs of audio in a very difficult environment and makes it sound good. Every good performance begins with good sound. Thank you, Mark.

Ken Krantz sets up and runs our stage lighting and spotlight. Kenny, you are invaluable.

Hal Hunter ordered the scaffolding and chairs, printed our posters, helped with set up, ran the computer for the choir and tons of other "little" things. Thank you, Hal.

Larry Coffey ran the computer for the audience while dealing with some very painful foot problems.

Gerry Mucha faithfully ran the video camera for all performances.

Diane Keuning is as faithful as the sun rising in the morning. She rehearsed the sopranos and altos and the Children's Choir and they were outstanding.

Phil Massicotte does the line up on the tree and helps me in many ways.

Ricky Travis coordinates our security. Ricky and his team spend the night to watch the equipment. We haven't lost anything yet!

And for those I left out, I apologize. I'm getting old. Anyway, I just wanted to say "Thank you" to all of you.

It was cool how many families were a part of the production. The whole Thompson Family, Jonathan and Emanuel (Tony, we miss you. There is a hole in our hearts when you're not playing. Our band is incomplete without you. We are all praying for your speedy recovery and your return.) Kim and David, Phil and Rachel, Ken and Becky, Ken and Lori, Sherri and Brooke, Rick and Donna (Donna is my dream come true. My ministry would be non-existent without her), Hal and Betty and many more!

Our band is exceptional. Our singers are the best anywhere. It's amazing the talent God has assembled in our small church family! You're not only good at what you do. You have a sweet spirit, too.

We are so blessed. Thanks for letting me hang around.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

About Worship...

Please print this and put it on your mirror:

“Most of my life, I thought that you went to church to worship. But now I see that the better approach is to go worshiping to church. Corporate worship works best when we arrive with something to offer God, as opposed to coming only to get something for us.”

Quoted from Louie Gigleo, from his book The Air I Breathe.

Peace,
Rick Painter

Some Great News From Rick...

Throughout the year we hear stories of how God has used the Singing Christmas Tree to draw people to faith. That confirms that the pain and suffering is worth the effort.

Last spring I found a musical that I believed would be perfect for our 15th Annual Argyle Outdoor Singing Christmas Tree performances in December. New music is expensive. Music books, parts CD's and the orchestration would be over $1,200.00. I believed God would provide.

We also need a baritone saxophone. Without a trombone in our band, we need the low end "beef" that a bari sax can provide. Both Tony and Emanuel are able to play it. We just needed an instrument. The cost would be around $700.00 for a playable used instrument. I believed God would provide.

The scaffolding rental, chair rental, promotion and other incidentals to produce the Tree each year cost around $2,000.00. God can provide that, too.

We received an offering at the Christmas In August dinner last week. We have received $2,925.00 as of today. The music is paid for. The bari sax is paid for and we are well on our way to cover the other costs of the Tree.

God is faithful. His people at Argyle are wonderful. Praise the Lord.


Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

A note Rick passed to the Worship Team...

I received this email today. This oughta keep us going at least a few more weeks!

"Hello:

I am a member of the Church at Argyle. I felt that I needed to drop you a quick note saying thank you.

Thank you for the great music you and your praise team and musicians play for us every Sunday. I’m sure you hear it all the time, but I needed to tell you how much I enjoy it.

I love that every Sunday I can get my blood moving and my head and heart ready to hear the Lord's word by such a talented group of folks.

I love to see the faces of the singers as they smile and sing. I LOVE when you have the different ladies and gentlemen sing by themselves. I really enjoyed the lady who sang this past weekend before Pastor Ken's book signing. I love her voice.

Also that song you all play Faith, giving us a sample of the different musical instruments, is one of my favorites and when I get to hear the individual instruments I can’t help but be mesmerized. I love the 2 gentlemen on the guitar and bass exchanging their looks and smiles and smirks. It makes my Sunday.

I am so blessed to go to a neighborhood church with great music and a pastor that really speaks to me about things I can apply to my life and that of my family.

Just a pat on the back to you and your talented group of folks."

Isn't it interesting how many "little things" she noticed? That's why I encourage you each week to smile and sing/play/tech from your heart. Everybody loves a happy choir! God wants to use you each week as we lead in worship.

You guys are making a difference. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Every week...

I watch the video of our Worship Gathering at Argyle to evaluate how things went. Even though I start out watching and listening to check the mix, are we in tune, entrances and cut-offs, can I understand the words, how is the energy level, etc. I always end up moved by the worship experience of a mighty God and appreciative of the faithfulness, passion and skill of our Worship Team (band, singers, tech, dance, drama and visual arts).

Thank you!

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor