is now history. We had a great turnout. More than 2,000 people braved the cold to enjoy the 14th anniversary production.
We sometimes wonder if it's worth the effort and expense. After all, over a hundred people have been working, some since August, to put this puppy together. Is this effort paying off?
I think so. On each night we heard from people about their impressions. Some were veterans, and attending the Tree is a family tradition. Some were newbies, and they were, without exception, blown away. Everyone we talked to agreed this is an important ministry to our community.
The Saturday before we began, I spoke to a friend who is Choir Director of a United Methodist Church in Arlington. When I told him about our Tree, with 70 voices, 15 musicians, new music every year, done outdoors for four nights, he was flabbergasted. Understanding the challenges, it is something he can't imagine attempting.
I believe God blesses audacious things done to promote His glory and the Gospel. Done in our own power, I think the Tree would fizzle; done in His Name and in His power, it becomes a powerful way to reach people in our community.
Hal Hunter
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Weather Watching...
It's not just farmers and fishermen who watch the weather. People who put on major outdoor events involving hundreds of people and a lot of electronic equipment and musical instruments also ponder the sky.
Each year we present an Outdoor Singing Christmas Tree. 2008 is the 14th year. Our Tree has become something of a tradition in our community. (After all, it can be heard a mile or more away on a still evening!) The singers and musicians started rehearsing in August. Over 80 people have spent months learning music and practicing.
Last week we built and decorated the Tree structure. This morning we set up the mixing console (48 total channels for the techies), powered speakers, sub-woofers, amplifiers, signal processors, lights, spotlights, computers, projectors and flat-screens, drum kit, two keyboards, and what seems like a bazillion music stands and a couple miles of wire.
Now comes the weather watching part: predictions say we should expect rain Thursday. Not just rain, but the "possibility of severe thunderstorms." There have been a couple times over the years when we had had to cancel a single performance for weather, but we hope that Thursday is not one of them. The hour-by-hour predictions say the storms should be over by late afternoon, with clearing by 6:00 pm. If those predictions are accurate, we are good to go with performing at 8:00 pm.
Join us in praying for good weather later in the day Thursday. Since God encourages us to bring all our cares to him, let's get specific: rain ending by 4:00 pm, followed by quick clearing; conditions at 8:00 pm- clear, dry, still and 58 degrees.
We invite everyone to attend. It's free, with plenty of parking and seating. We even provide hot chocolate and coffee. This may be the only time this Christmas season some of the people attending the Tree will hear the Gospel and hear the real Christmas story. That's one of the main reasons we do it, and one of the main reasons you should join us in praying for the weather.
Hal Hunter
Each year we present an Outdoor Singing Christmas Tree. 2008 is the 14th year. Our Tree has become something of a tradition in our community. (After all, it can be heard a mile or more away on a still evening!) The singers and musicians started rehearsing in August. Over 80 people have spent months learning music and practicing.
Last week we built and decorated the Tree structure. This morning we set up the mixing console (48 total channels for the techies), powered speakers, sub-woofers, amplifiers, signal processors, lights, spotlights, computers, projectors and flat-screens, drum kit, two keyboards, and what seems like a bazillion music stands and a couple miles of wire.
Now comes the weather watching part: predictions say we should expect rain Thursday. Not just rain, but the "possibility of severe thunderstorms." There have been a couple times over the years when we had had to cancel a single performance for weather, but we hope that Thursday is not one of them. The hour-by-hour predictions say the storms should be over by late afternoon, with clearing by 6:00 pm. If those predictions are accurate, we are good to go with performing at 8:00 pm.
Join us in praying for good weather later in the day Thursday. Since God encourages us to bring all our cares to him, let's get specific: rain ending by 4:00 pm, followed by quick clearing; conditions at 8:00 pm- clear, dry, still and 58 degrees.
We invite everyone to attend. It's free, with plenty of parking and seating. We even provide hot chocolate and coffee. This may be the only time this Christmas season some of the people attending the Tree will hear the Gospel and hear the real Christmas story. That's one of the main reasons we do it, and one of the main reasons you should join us in praying for the weather.
Hal Hunter
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Electronic giving is now happening at Argyle...
We have been researching electronic giving options for months. After all the looking we have found a company that offers the right mix of cost and features coupled with safety and integrity.
We are now using eGive to allow members of the Argyle family to automate their giving. We took a survey several months ago, and most of the people who responded said they would prefer to do their giving using an electronic method.
It's safe, secure, costs nothing to the giver, is reasonably priced to the church, and simplifies bookkeeping for everyone involved.
Want to check it out? Click here to visit our Online Giving FAQ page or call us in the office (777-1238) during regular hours.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
We are now using eGive to allow members of the Argyle family to automate their giving. We took a survey several months ago, and most of the people who responded said they would prefer to do their giving using an electronic method.
It's safe, secure, costs nothing to the giver, is reasonably priced to the church, and simplifies bookkeeping for everyone involved.
Want to check it out? Click here to visit our Online Giving FAQ page or call us in the office (777-1238) during regular hours.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Tree time rolls around again...
I swear it seems like we just finished the Tree, but it's time for another one.
For the fourteenth time, we are presenting our Argyle Outdoor Singing Christmas Tree to the community. Each year, over a period of four nights, as many as 3,000 people come to experience the music and the message. People all over our area know about the Tree, and for some, it is the only time they will hear the Gospel.
It is entirely free to our guests, but certainly not free to produce. We have to buy the music, buy the promotional material, buy the coffee and hot chocolate and the cups to serve them in, rent the chairs and scaffolding, and buy all the odds and ends of things needed to to produce the show.
In years past, we have had sufficient money in our regular budget to carry the cost of producing the Tree. This year, because of the budget shortfall, we are taking a special offering on Sunday, December 7, to subsidize the costs.
If you believe the Tree is an important outreach to the people around us, please join us in supporting this very public ministry.
Hal Hunter
For the fourteenth time, we are presenting our Argyle Outdoor Singing Christmas Tree to the community. Each year, over a period of four nights, as many as 3,000 people come to experience the music and the message. People all over our area know about the Tree, and for some, it is the only time they will hear the Gospel.
It is entirely free to our guests, but certainly not free to produce. We have to buy the music, buy the promotional material, buy the coffee and hot chocolate and the cups to serve them in, rent the chairs and scaffolding, and buy all the odds and ends of things needed to to produce the show.
In years past, we have had sufficient money in our regular budget to carry the cost of producing the Tree. This year, because of the budget shortfall, we are taking a special offering on Sunday, December 7, to subsidize the costs.
If you believe the Tree is an important outreach to the people around us, please join us in supporting this very public ministry.
Hal Hunter
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Budget Town Hall Meetings...
So far, we have held two Town Hall Meetings to give our members an opportunity to review the details of the 2009 Ministry Spending Plan and to speak to the Stewardship Committee and Staff about our finances. A grand total of ZERO people have shown up so far.
We always wonder if this means that everyone is totally satisfied with the state of our finances, or if they simply don't care. Of course we hope it means people trust the leadership and have all the information they need, but you have to wonder.
We would like to hear a little feedback on this. If you care to comment, tell us why you haven't attended one of the Town Hall Meetings, or maybe if you plan to attend one of the ones coming up.
Hal Hunter
We always wonder if this means that everyone is totally satisfied with the state of our finances, or if they simply don't care. Of course we hope it means people trust the leadership and have all the information they need, but you have to wonder.
We would like to hear a little feedback on this. If you care to comment, tell us why you haven't attended one of the Town Hall Meetings, or maybe if you plan to attend one of the ones coming up.
Hal Hunter
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Going Out...
We had a great time this past Sunday after the second service. About 50 people gathered in the Family Life Center where Rich Painter's Community Group passed out trash bags and gloves so that we could go out into our surrounding community to pick up trash.
Rich led us in prayer, then divided us up into two groups. One went into the neighborhood behind the church and the second group crossed Argyle Forest Boulevard into the neighborhoods across the street. The weather was beautiful and everyone was energized and excited! We had all generations represented with a common goal!
One group had a car stop and ask what they were doing and if we were part of the church! They said yes and that they just wanted to reach out to the community and clean up. He appreciated the effort and said thank you. If nothing else, maybe we touched someone who might not have realized we cared.
We want to say a personal thank you to Rich and Mindy and their leadership in the area of community outreach! We are also hoping this will spark interest in others as we step outside of the box and reach out. We would love to hear about other group interactions!
Some of the pictures are posted on the "photo album" section of the church website. Check it out by clicking here.
Peace
David Bass
Rich led us in prayer, then divided us up into two groups. One went into the neighborhood behind the church and the second group crossed Argyle Forest Boulevard into the neighborhoods across the street. The weather was beautiful and everyone was energized and excited! We had all generations represented with a common goal!
One group had a car stop and ask what they were doing and if we were part of the church! They said yes and that they just wanted to reach out to the community and clean up. He appreciated the effort and said thank you. If nothing else, maybe we touched someone who might not have realized we cared.
We want to say a personal thank you to Rich and Mindy and their leadership in the area of community outreach! We are also hoping this will spark interest in others as we step outside of the box and reach out. We would love to hear about other group interactions!
Some of the pictures are posted on the "photo album" section of the church website. Check it out by clicking here.
Peace
David Bass
Friday, November 07, 2008
Post Election Pondering...
I know that there are many emotions today.... happy and sad. I have heard some pretty negative words from "Christians" so I thought I would send out an email with my thoughts about the matter.
First thing is my hope is not in a particular party or ideology, it's in Jesus. Nothing caught Him by surprise. According to scripture God puts leaders in power and takes them out... all for His purpose.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:1-8)
Second thing is maybe we Christians need some fire under us to get us on the ball. I think we have become complacent, fat and sassy.
Luke 12:16 -20a sounds familiar... "And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, `What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, `This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. `And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, `You fool!'""
I have noticed the the Christian faith is growing like a wild fire in the nations where there is the most pressure on them. Perhaps we can grow in this season and set the record straight on what a real Christian looks like.
We are living in extreme days!
Davis Bass
Deacon Chairman
Student Pastor Designate
First thing is my hope is not in a particular party or ideology, it's in Jesus. Nothing caught Him by surprise. According to scripture God puts leaders in power and takes them out... all for His purpose.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:1-8)
Second thing is maybe we Christians need some fire under us to get us on the ball. I think we have become complacent, fat and sassy.
Luke 12:16 -20a sounds familiar... "And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, `What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' "Then he said, `This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. `And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, `You fool!'""
I have noticed the the Christian faith is growing like a wild fire in the nations where there is the most pressure on them. Perhaps we can grow in this season and set the record straight on what a real Christian looks like.
We are living in extreme days!
Davis Bass
Deacon Chairman
Student Pastor Designate
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