Monday 28 April 2008

Holy Spirit day

Last weekend, Roger, Annie, Helen, Richard, Kathleen and Margaret visited Gorsley in Gloucestershire. We had a wonderful time meeting and sharing with the Christians Together group from the area, who are drawn from a wide variety of churches.

On the Saturday, we led a Precious and Honoured day. Roger spoke in the morning about 'Purpose and Power', and then after a wonderful shared lunch together, we led some Holy Spirit workshops. Richard and Kathleen led a workshop on receiving the Holy Spirit, giving people time and space to wait on God and simply be blessed. Margaret led a workshop on receiving and using the gifts of the Spirit, and Annie and Helen led a session on ministering in the power of the Spirit. There were about 60 people at the day, and God really spoke to people in the workshops, bringing healing and blessing. Hopefully people will go away and use the gifts and skills they have been given.

In the final session of the day, Roger spoke about how we are all precious and honoured in God's sight, particularly focusing on Psalm 139 and using the song 'Within the Darkened Womb' from the Precious and Honoured album.

On the Sunday we led the morning service at Gorsley Chapel. They are a large, friendly congregation, and we were made very welcome.

Tuesday 22 April 2008

Saints Alive

Denise from the CMM Choir writes:

The CMM Choir have been performing 'Saints Alive' across Birmingham this month.
So far we have been to:

Christ Church, Selly Park - A brand new church buiding with the choir being the first performance of many organised events. The congregation and local people did us proud filling the church, (not noticing the few slip ups of words). Afterwards we had plenty of time for fellowship over cake and drinks.


This weekend we have had two performances, on Saturday evening we were at St James', Aston, and the Sunday at St Francis, Bournville. both went very well, the choir were well looked after and supported.

Unfortunately at all performances we have been missing quite a few members due to a nasty 'bug' going round. Penny King, choir trainer and conductor has not been able to come, so on two occasions Roger himself, had to step in on the night, and Miriam Bell the other, and she has also, thankfully led us through the rehersals.
God willing every one will be recovered for the rest of the perfomances, which are:

West Bromwich Baptist (20th April 6.00pm)
St John's Walmley (3rd May 7.30pm)
Six Ways Baptist, Erdington (18th May 6.30pm)

Monday 21 April 2008

Praise and Worship Conference

Despite fears of cancellation, the Praise and Worship Conference went ahead last Saturday. Around 30 people gathered, and we had a wonderful day.

In the morning Roger taught about being a worshipper - taking the story of King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as he brought it back to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-Edom.

We then divided into workshops - Susan Barter, Vicar of St. Paul's, Annie and assorted team members led a workshop on accompanying praise, looking at using CDs, piano and guitar. Helen and Louise also led a workshop on new songs, teaching some of the songs from the latest Songs of Fellowship book.

In the afternoon, Annie led a planning and leading praise session, while Roger led a creative and prophetic worship time, and the final session was teaching about Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.

If you'd like anything similar at your church, give the CMM Office a ring, and we'll see if we can fit you in somewhere! 0121 783 3291.

Friday 18 April 2008

Rhos on Sea

Last week, Roger, Annie, Liz and myself spent a wonderful few days at St. Winifred's Christian Endeavour Hotel, Rhos on Sea. There we were accompanied by about 30 guests, as well as local people as we learnt and performed the musical David.

Every day Roger led a morning bible teaching session followed by a choir rehearsal. The afternoons were free, and the evenings filled up with worship, rehearsals and performing.

One evening we were joined by Heather Butler, who currently lives on Anglesea. She has a fantastic prophetic ministry, and she really blessed us all through her singing in the Spirit.

The performance of David on the Thursday evening went very well indeed. Annie, Liz and myself provided the accompaniment, joined by Keith on drums, Deb on Viola and Helen on guitar. There were about 80 in the audience, which felt very full indeed. A lovely evening.

Photos: St. Winifred's Hotel, Roger and Heather Butler, the men in full voice at the rehearsal


Monday 14 April 2008

Cello Liz


Over the last two weeks, Liz Albery has been working with us. She is a cellist, and is currently studying music, theology and worship at London School of Theology. It has been a great priviledge having Liz with us, and she has made a fantastic contribution to life here in the office, consuming Jelly Beans, for example.

She came to Rhos-on-Sea with us last week (report to follow), keeping her dinner table well entertained, and leading a powerful epilogue and praise block. She also played cello for the David performance on Thursday evening in Rhos, and at the praise and worship conference on Saturday. She is currently recording the string parts at the studio with Annie, and will then head back to London.

Our prayers and best wishes are with her as she finishes her degree, and looks to the future.

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Jerusalem Joy in Andover

I just received this from Sharon in Andover. It's a great example of one of Roger's musicals being put on with a huge range of different people. From the orders we sometimes get from different churches around the country, there almost always seems to be a musical happening somewhere!

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Jerusalem Joy went amazingly well for a group of people willing but not necessarily able to read music or ever having 'trodden the boards' before! The School Hall seats 208 and we had about 170 at the matinee and 210 each evening. We have raised somewhere in the region of £2,500 for Naomi House our local Children's Hospice. But most of all we worked together across every denomination of Church regardless of age, ability etc and the feeling of the love of God was tangible.