The Orchard Blog

Christmas Eve – Sunday 12.24.06

Setlist:
Christmas Eve Sarajevo – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Majestic – Lincoln Brewster
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – BNL and Sarah McLachlan *****
Marvelous Light – City On A Hill
Here I Am To Worship – Tim Hughes
In The Light – DC Talk
Silent Night – Traditional
Angels We Have Heard On High – 722

Amazing night praising and worshiping THE Light of the world! Hope you and your family’s Christmas experience was blessed by being a part of The Orchard this year. May 2007 be your best year ever!

Posted by Mike Jones

*****(Please use discretion when previewing or purchasing other songs by this artist as other songs on this album may contain inappropriate lyrical content.)

Wow…

That’s about all I say about our three Christmas Eve Candlelight gatherings this past Sunday at The Orchard.

I have been proud of our team on numerous occasions, but this past weekend everything went to a whole new level! The synergy of our teams working together was amazing and the CROWDS and CROWDS of people blew me away. The quality of our videos, music, production, and our environments were at a level beyond anything I have ever seen at The Orchard.

Click here to view photos on The Orchard’s Flickr page.

Posted by Scott Hodge 

10. Hey! There’s a gift! (or the more believe-able, “Wow! What a gift!)

9. Well, well, well …

8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would’ve fit.

7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.

6. Gosh, I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There
are lots of unexplained fires.

5. If the dog buries it, I’ll be furious!

4. I love it — but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.

3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.

2. “I really don’t deserve this.”

And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don’t like:

1. To think — I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to
charity.

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Wow! Can you believe that Christmas is only three days away?!!?

I am SO EXCITED about our Christmas Eve gatherings coming up on Sunday! Don’t forget, this year we will have three identical services to choose from:

3pm, 5pm, & 7pm.

And IF YOUR SCHEDULE IS FLEXIBLE…

Would you consider attending either the 5pm or 7pm service? Based on a lot of emails and phone calls, it sounds like our 3pm service is going to be PACKED! So if one of the later services would work for you and your family, we would appreciate you helping us out by attending one of the later services and freeing up as many seats at the 3pm service for our guests as possible.

Thank you so much!

And……… If you haven’t already invited two or three people to attend with you, it’s not too late! In fact, take some time RIGHT NOW to pick up the phone, shoot an email or visit a few neighbors to invite them to experience one of our candlelight services! Almost anyone will attend church on Christmas Eve IF they are invited!

Get ready for some amazing gatherings!

See you Sunday!

Posted by Scott Hodge

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward

Take the time this weekend to share who and what you are grateful for!

Posted by Kathryn Egly

Sunday’s New York Times had an interesting article entitled, “Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying.

Here’s what they came up with:

1. Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?

2. Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?

3. Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?

4. Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?

5. Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?

6. Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?

7. Will there be a television in the bedroom?

8. Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?

9. Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?

10. Do we like and respect each other’s friends?

11. Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?

12. What does my family do that annoys you?

13. Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?

14. If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?

15. Do each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?

These are some great questions and a resource that’s heading into my “premarriage file.”

What do you think? Any others you can think of?

Link to article.

Posted by Scott Hodge

myspace: Moving From Me to We – Sunday 12.17.06

Setlist:
Not To Us – Chris Tomlin
You Are Good – Lincoln Brewster
Only You – David Crowder Band
O Holy Night – MercyMe
The Reason – Hoobstank *****

A satisfying marriage is a selfless marriage.
Assignement for the week of December 18th:

1. List out 4-5 of your essential “needs.”
   • “In order to be fulfilled in this marriage, I need you to… ” (List 4-5 “needs.”)
2. Schedule a date with your spouse to share & define your needs. (Be specific!)
3. “Wow” your spouse!

Posted by Mike Jones

*****(Please use discretion when previewing or purchasing other songs by this artist as other songs on this album may contain inappropriate lyrical content.)

Do you ever want to share your faith with a friend, but aren’t sure how?

I don’t know about you, but really pushy salespeople send me running the other direction. I really want people to know Christ, but I don’t want to push them away, either.

Here are a few tips that may help:

1. Share what God has done in your life.

• I LOVE hearing what God is doing in lives at the Orchard!! If I weren’t a Christ-follower, these stories would make me want to become one!
• As you share what a difference Christ has made in your life, it may open a door for others to begin to share their questions or concerns with you.

2. Be compassionate

• Matthew 14:14 syas that when Jesus saw a great multitude, “he was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.” When someone is not living for God, many times they already feel convicted in their heart. So, rather than jamming Jesus down their throats, show them His compassion.
• Compassion is the LOVE OF GOD IN ACTION. Can you help them with their children or buy them groceries?
• People often respond to that kind of love. Kindness is what leads us to repentance. In everything you do, keep a smile on your face and reflect Christ’s kindness. That will draw people to you (and ultimately, to HIM!)

3. Invite them to our church

• We are SO blessed to have a great church in which to invite others.
• We do our best to create a safe, welcoming place for the non-churched.
• Give people a flyer to an upcoming series! If they don’t come, keep inviting them. If often takes MANY invitations before someone will come.

4. Most importantly…set a good example.

• A DC Talk songs says, “The biggest cause of atheism today are Christians who confess Jesus with their mouths but deny Him by their lifestyles.”

Posted by Kathryn Egly

myspace: Saving Friendships – Sunday 12.10.06

Setlist:
Your Grace Is Enough – Chris Tomlin
Let The Praises Ring – Lincoln Brewster
White Christmas – The Drifters (featuring our own John Parker)
How To Save A Life – The Fray

In every relationship, there wil be conflict. How you resolve those conflicts can be the determining factor on the future growth of your relationship.  Ted and Scott did a great job talking about how they have built and maintained their friendship.

Posted by Mike Jones

Someone asked recently if I would believe in Jesus even if there were no heaven or hell. Stop right now and think about how you would answer that…

Great question, huh?

I paused to think about the question…Then I realized that I would definitely follow Jesus, in spite of whether heaven and hell existed.

Following Jesus has made my life SO much RICHER! He’s given me wisdom and direction. He’s helped me find a great spouse. He’s been my friend and my Father. He’s brought true joy and peace into my life.

What about you? Would you follow Him, even if there were no heaven or hell?

Posted by Kathryn Egly