Balanced: Opening the Books

The first week of Balanced will roll out some very practical thoughts on our finances. Regardless of who we are and what be believe, there are two things we have to know about finances, we always have to keep an eye on where our money is going and we have to make constant corrections.

[image by Locator]

Results of our Planning Day

Thanks to Anonomous (I know who you are! :)) and to the planning team for your input and thoughts as we worked to layout a general plan for 2010 weekend services.

I'm excited to say that we have some topics on the table for the year with the clear understanding that we will leave room for change if we feel God is calling us to do so.

I will roll out some of the topics here so you all can start your creative wheels spinning with ideas for the series.

Finances - Balanced is the packaging for this and it will be heavily based on the Northpoint series of the same name
Evangelism - Everybody
Reaching personal potential
Characters of the Bible - similar to a series by Granger called UNrated

OK, that should give you plenty to start your wheels spinning. I'll post weekly titles etc. later.

Thank you again for all your input and creativity!

Back to our regularly scheduled program...

I apologize that with the busy-ness of the Christmas season I have not kept Muse as up-to-date as I would like. As we are now settled firmly in 2010 I'd like to update you and ask for your suggestions.

We are currently in our first-of-the-year series, Creating 2010. We have two more Sundays to go in that series and the remainder of the year is, for now, a fresh, clean sheet of flip chart paper! Within the next several days the planning team will be meeting for an extended planning retreat where we will discuss ideas for the entire year.

If you have an idea for a series of weekend services, please post a comment here between now and next Wednesday (January 20) and I will add your ideas to the mix of our conversation.

[image by emma.kate]

Concrete: What following Jesus Looks Like

To follow someone is to watch closely where they are going and what they are doing and go and do the same.

So, what does it look like to follow Jesus? Where have you seen it in the lives of those around you? What has it looked like in your own life?

What songs, readings, stories, dramas do you think of that illustrate what following Jesus looks like?

Concrete: Why do we sing?

Worship is also foundational to our walk with Christ. Why do we worship? What is the goal of worship? How do we do it? We'll explore the importance of worship in this next week of Concrete.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve service is a very special and important part of tradition here at Cypress. The service this year will be a stand-alone service different from our production, Me & My Drum.

What are some elements to a Christmas Eve service that you would like to see us do?

Are there songs you wish we would sing?

Videos that would tell a compelling Christmas story?

Participatory elements that would be meaningful for the congregation?

This is your chance to get in the Christmas mood and tell us what does that for you.

I can't wait to hear your ideas!

[image by Zellaby]

Concrete: What to do with the Bible

The Bible is one of the ways God uses to communicate to us. To teach us, encourage us, guide us. But, how do we learn from it all that we are to learn? It can seem confusing and even knowing where to start is a daunting task. But this is a foundation we don't want to miss in building our faith.

What art elements can we use to help illustrate the importance and incredible richness of reading the Bible?