GONNA BUILD A MOUNTAIN

Since my last post near four years have passed.  I was kind of stuck as to what this blog was for and what my perspective was.  During a couple of meetings this past week, I got to talking about how I plan worship and how I prepare our sanctuary for worship. it was suggested that I share some of these ideas and take photos of what I do.

What I do is for small churches on a limited budget. I have to be creative and innovative.  I set up the sanctuary not for the sake of just making it look "cool" or having people wonder what new thing I have done this week.  I try to make a point with what I am doing.

My next project is the mountain that I am building.  Well more like a small hill to go below the cross. (see photo below)

 I will share the process in doing so as I go along. Right now I am collecting all kinds of things.

Crockery, cracked or otherwise. things like vases, and big bowls
Bare branches (I bought some at Michaels  16.99 and with my 1/2 off coupon on 8.50)
A foam  pad for a double bed 
queen size bedsheets in kahki colors  (check to job lot stores and discount bins)
three or four folding chairs - I think the church has them
some medium size stones (think about the size of my fist or a bit larger)
And I will add other stuff I am sure as time goes on.

 

My Sanctuary

 

The mountain is going up on the stage below the cross and will stay there through Easter. The sanctuary chairs are back in rows right now, but will move for Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday.  I will keep you updated on my progess and posts photos of the installation.

 

there are several other things I do for the season

 

In the back of the church I will have an easel and on the easel will be a map of Jerusalem area with all the spots of importance for Holy week marked on it. (The laminated poster was about $8-9) I mount it on a piece of foam board.  It surprises me how many folks stop and study it.

There will be two other areas I will set for the season
1. The communion table
2  the table in our Narthex

As I do them I will post photos. 

I know this is a bare bones start but I will keep writing about worship in the small church and the different things that I do. Maybe there is something here that resonates with you or something you can "riff" on and use for your worship.  by "riff" I mean you see some small thing in what I do that leads you creatively to new and exciting places.  I also have a pineterest board called "worship ideas" that you may find handy.