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| Baby in the Manger – Holy Holy Holy |
Carols 2012 – Amazing Love – in planning and execution for months – was experienced by literally thousands this past weekend. Five worship opportunities (not performances or concerts) were shared over three days with over 15,000 people in person and over the web with countless more. Folks are still watching the archived links. Others will watch edited versions for broadcast later this month during scheduled times and for the first time, from Comcast On Demand.
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| Adoration of the King – Joy! Joy! |
Most every year, I think it cannot get more personal, more intensely spiritual. I was, again, wrong this year. It was so obvious God was, and still is, at work among the players (choir, orchestra, crew, actors, staff, ushers, security folks). Like the instruments in the orchestra, we are instruments in His Hand.
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| How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Sets the theme of Amazing Love |
In the span of less than 90 minutes, the Gospel was clearly presented five times. We know already that folks came from miles away to worship with us; that an individual in Nevada viewed online as did one of of the partner mission churches in England. More important, I know specifically of three professions of faith and expect we will confirm there were others. There were countless seeds planted.
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| Carol to the King (processional) |
I know God was there – for one thing, the devil was working overtime for over two weeks throwing roadblocks at the organ, through UPS, killing a lighting console, dishing out the flu and other illnesses, among other things. But, man oh man, did God ever empower the “over-comers”. From the time of arrival Friday night until the last person left after break down Sunday night, God’s instruments were empowered and were giving spiritually, emotionally, musically with an intensity unlike any I have experienced in my prior 31 Carols’ experiences. I am still in awe. I am still wondering how this will play out in the days to come. I am still wondering how God will continue to use us.
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| Light of the Stable – Ballet Magnificat |
These are just some of the photos from the weekend. They are the work of Lane and Judy Rushing, members of FBCJ and two of the many volunteers (Lane – sound; Judy – fabric work for the set). These photos capture the essence of our sharing.
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| O How He Loves You and Me |
The scene above was the one that constantly got to me – Mary – the same Mary who held the Christ Child at birth, also held Him in death – yet that was not the end, as the words to Be Born in Me state:
Did You wrap yourself inside the unexpected
So we might know that Love would go that far?
Be born in me.
Trembling heart, somehow I believe that You chose me.
I’ll hold You in the beginning, You will hold me in the end.
Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem.
Cille Litchfield 
