Derek and Derek Debate

This is a sneak preview of our new installment of Derek and Derek in the morning - originally our slight spoof of Mike and Mike in the Morning from ESPN and a great way to deliver the morning announcements. I will go into more detail later but let's just say that we decided to stay current with the times and move to a Derek and Derek debate format in light of the recent Presidential Debate at Belmont University not too far from us.

Let me fill you in with some of the fun facts about this video. As i was driving into work Wednesday (when we normally shoot the regular Derek and Derek) I called to make sure the "talent" was ready. Derek informed me of the potential new idea and we all jumped on board and ran with it. So set up and shot 3 days ago. I created the opening bumper, had a member of our worship band (Scott) compose some original music, and edited thursday and today.

We have a very small media department. It basically comprises of Me, one camera, homemade lighting, and whoever i can get on days we shoot which is normally just me but as of late i have had great help from a guy in my small group, Brandon. There are now two of us who do a bulk of the work. But he is a big help - not to mention the other pastors who believe in what we are doing and pitch in to help.

Side note: at the end you will hear one Derek say there is a "glut" of information available in your worship folder... This is a ongoing joke we started from the beginning. Every week Derek uses another synonym to describe the amount of information in the worship folder. This has been a great litmus test to see if people are paying attention and we were surprised how quickly we were getting ideas for words to use. (comment if you have a good one as we are a way down the list and lets say we may be running out)

enjoy - if i didn't just wake up from a nap on the couch (fell asleep watching football and waiting for the final product to render out) i may have something way more intelligent to say.

Celebration Sunday

What an amazing service we had.  Close to 800 people showed up to celebrate the culmination of our 40 Days of Community Campaign.  I know personally my small group grew together through our outreach project.  We were able to built a new staircase for a family that had to jump off an onto their porch each day. 

 

The day was full of great music, great fellowship, a great sermon, and a phenomenal finish - cardboard testimonies.  I have to admit that it wasn't an original idea.  We found a video on YouTube displaying this very idea from another church.  But we made it our own.  Every story you saw was true.  Every moment shared was personal to that person holding the cardboard.  I did not see too many dry eyes in the congregation.  What was it that was represented there that made this day so powerful.  It wasn't the song choices behind it.  It wasn't the emotion displayed by those holding the cardboard, probably the person sitting next to you, and the pastoral staff.  It was God moving through our people.  It was seeing how people like you and me are able to claim victory through Christ.  That's what made it connect.  There was nothing separating those pieces of cardboard from our own stories of pain and suffering.  There was nothing separating those holding the cardboard from each of us flipping them over to reveal how God has moved in our lives and rescued us.  I can't wait to finish up the video of the day and share it with anyone who is willing to watch, anyone who is looking for how God is still working today.

The creative team at GraceChurch is working on how we can continue to present you with engaging and entertaining  events and services that share hope.