creation to revelation

So last Sunday was a big Sunday for me. I had a large part to play in the overall theme and scheme of last Sunday's worship service which included lots of music, Scripture reading, painting, and showing some really cool clips from a DVD entitled, Sand Story, which you can check out here.

The overall theme of the service was to take our congregation [in 70 minutes or less mind you] from creation to revelation. It was powerful. Everyone did such a wonderful job. If you can imagine, we book-ended the service with Scripture readings from Genesis and Revelation while three "artists" worked together to paint the scene! So, the creation painting looked rather abstract, but you can picture a garden scene being painted. And then at the end of the service, the artists painted a great city - the new Jerusalem - on the earth as Revelation describes it. It was awesome! I have the service on my hard drive, but it's 5 gig, so if anyone knows how I can transfer this huge file - please let me know. I'll post the worship order just in case you'd like to do something like this at your church.

The Story: Creation to Revelation
January 25, 2009

Opening:
Three “Artists” begin to paint the creation of the world during the opening song.
Need three people.
Song: Majestic
Paint supplies needed – paint, easel, brushes, canvas for floor, etc.
Scripture: A reading from Genesis 1

Creation from Sand Story DVD

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Song: Love the Lord Your God (Lincoln Brewster)

Song: Psalm 23 (written by Lori Bond)

Meditation

The Coming of the Christ – “The Coming of the Christ”
Scripture: Mark 1:1-9
Song: Prepare Ye the Way (Michael W. Smith)

Scripture: Reading from Matthew 5:1-11

Passion from Sand Story DVD

Communion:
Scripture: comes from Pastor as he re-enacts the Last Supper
Song: For God So Loved the World
Song: My Jesus, I Love Thee

Scripture: Reading from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Song: Majesty

Closing:
Scripture: Revelation 21 or 22
Three “Artists” come back to paint a picture of heaven on earth (from Rev. 22).
Need three people (can be the same as the first).
Song: Revelation Song
Song: Doxology

Oh, and the coolest part of this was that I found out that two people gave their lives to Jesus during that service. That...[in the words of Pastor Perry Noble] never gets old! Very cool!

painting revelation: a visual exploration of the last book of the Bible

I had the privilege of meeting Rev. Debby Topliff of West Michigan. Not only is she a pastor, but an artist. She visited the seminary last week to display her artwork based on Revelation, and to lead our morning worship for the week. I have provided a link to her website. I commend her work to you. Peace.