New URC Bible Study in Gig Harbor

Here's some exciting news from Mark Vander Pol, third year student at Westminster Seminary California...

"For those that live in the Tacoma/Gig Harbor, WA area:  Are you interested in seeing a solid, Confessional Reformed church in your area?  There is currently in the planning stages a Bible study/church plant in Gig Harbor with the goal of establishing a URC church.  Since this is still in its infancy we are just trying to gather some rough idea as to how many people would be interested in this work.  This is a unique opportunity that the Lord has placed before us and we hope and pray that the field is ready for the harvest on the Kitsap Peninsula.

So if you live near Gig Harbor and this interests you then please send an e-mail to Mark Vander Pol at gigharborreformed@gmail.com or check out our blog at gigharborreformed.wordpress.com.  If you know somebody that lives close to that location then please forward this information on to them!  This group needs to know that you are out there so please contact them!

This Sunday (May 3rd)

Morning Service

Songs

#119 (Red hymnal)

#85 (Blue hymnal)

#296 (Blue hymnal)

#351 (Blue hymnal)

#280 (Blue hymnal)

Sermon

1 John 2:1-2:  "Our Only Hope"

Evening Service

Songs

#70 (Red hymnal)

#78 (Red hymnal)

#471 (Blue hymnal)

#307 (Blue hymnal)

Sermon

Ephesians 1:3-14:  "Praise to Our Triune God, part 3"

The End of "Christian America"?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Interesting discussion here about the state of Christianity in America.

This Sunday (April 26th)

Morning Service

Songs

#35 (Red hymnal)

#353 (Blue hymnal)

#114 (Blue hymnal)

#485 (Red hymnal)

#733 (Red hymnal)

Sermon

1 John 1:5-10:  "Confessing Our Sins"

Evening Service

Songs

#28 (Blue hymnal)

#288(Blue hymnal)

#455 (Red hymnal)

#16 (Red hymnal)

Sermon

Ephesians 1:3-14:  "Praise to Our Triune God, part 2"

This Sunday (April 19th)

Morning Service

Songs

#298 (Blue hymnal)

#55 (Blue hymnal)

#48 (Blue hymnal)

#263 (Red hymnal)

#18 (Red hymnal)

Sermon

1 John 1:1-4: "What is Christianity?"

Evening Service

Songs

#44 (Red hymnal)

#281 (Blue hymnal)

#385 (Blue hymnal)

#224 (Blue hymnal)

Sermon

Ephesians 1:3-14: "Praise to Our Triune God"

American Idol: Top 7

I figured I'd do some live-blogging on tonight's AI. Tonight's guest mentor is filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who actually went to my high school. I think he's a bit younger than me. Better check imdb. Nope, he's actually older, much older, than I am. He was born in 1963, so he's got 3 years on me. I don't remember the guy in high school...apparently, he was a high school dropout.

Tonight, the top 7 will be singing songs of the cinema.

Allison Iraheta

She's singing an Aerosmith song from the movie "Armageddon" (not a bad movie, by the way). I'm quite surprised that she's been in the bottom 3 a couple of times...she can really sing. I must say, though, that I don't really like this. The females in the home are complaining about her hair and her outfit. Paula thinks that Allison possesses the same authenticity that Adam Lambert does. Simon follows it up by saying that she's the girls only hope left in this competition (that must make Lil Rounds feel well). The other 2 judges didn't say a thing. What's up with that? Oh, I was just told that only 2 judges are going to speak after each singer. That's lame!

Anoop Desai

He's singing "Everything I Do I Do for You" by Bryan Adams (from the movie Robin Hood, which is also a pretty good flick, if you can get by Kevin Costner's gag factor). A little boring, but not bad. Randy thought that he's in the zone and that he rocked the house. Kara says that Anoop has definitely found his place. How can we have a performance without Simon commenting? Well, at least Paula can sleep through 3 of the songs.

Adam Lambert

Singing "Born to Be Wild" from the movie "Easy Rider" (never seen it). No contest...he is so much better than anyone else in this competition, it's not even funny. Wow, this guy can sing. Paula was very impressed. Simon says that it was vocally incredible.

Matt Giraud

Singing "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?" from Don Juan De Marco (seen parts of it). He's good, but I much prefer Bryan Adams. Paula's clapping, the audience is clapping, Randy's saying, "Yo." Randy thought there was a rough patch and that he tried to do too much with it. Kara thought that he took away some of the core melodies that made the song great.

Danny Gokey

Singing "Endless Love" by Lionel Ritchie. He was the guy I wanted to win when I first saw him in auditions. I still think he'll be in the finals, although I think Adam is a superior singer and performer. Not a big Lionel fan. Not bad, though, I guess. Rather dull to me. Paula thought that he pulled it together in the middle and then finished well. Simon was disappointed with the harp and with the very traditional version of the song.

Kris Allen

Singing "Falling Slowly" (never heard of it) from the movie "Once" (never heard of it). I think Mr. Allen may find himself in the bottom 3 for the first time. I think the problem is that most people probably don't know this song. I would rename the song "Falling Asleep Slowly." Randy just didn't get it, thought it was pitchy. Kara says it's difficult to pick an obscure song, but says it was one of his best performances.

Lil Rounds

Singing "The Rose" by Bette Midler. Oh no, this is a song I just don't care for. Actually, it's a song that I can't stand. I'd rather she sing some revivalistic tune from the Psalter Hymnal. She seems like a nice person, I hope this doesn't send her home. Paula says that she could not have sung a more beautiful lyric. Simon is rolling his eyes at Paula...hilarious! Simon thought that the song was too soft and too middle-of-the-road.

BOTTOM 3:  Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds

American Idol Results Show

Since I missed last night's AI (due to a meeting), I thought that I'd live blog the results show tonight. Now the only thing I really know from last night is that Simon gave Adam Lambert a standing ovation. But here's what I can say for sure: Scott McIntyre should go home. He should never have been in the top 36. He should never have been in the top 24. And he should never have been in the top 12. But maybe, just maybe, tonight is the night he'll be going home. We can only hope.

Tonight, Kelly Pickler (from season 5) and Flo Rida (whoever that is) will be performing.

Randy says that he was a little disappointed by last night's performances. Kara says that some of the early frontrunners are having somewhat of an identity crisis (in other words, they're not as good as people thought they were).

Wow, they just brought out Frankie Valli or whoever this guy is. Do we really need this? He's singing "Venus," a song that, literally, is old as Simon Cowell. Ugh, this is horrible. Oh, that was Frankie Avalon, not Frankie Valli. Hmmmm...I better imdb these 2 Frankies.

Frankie Valli: Born in 1934; 5' 5" tall; married 3 times, divorced 3 times

Frankie Avalon: Born in 1939; 5' 8" tall; married once (1962), still married to the same woman, 8 children

Ford music video time: A few years back, these were kinda cool. Lately, they're kinda lame.

Having watched most of this season's performances, I would think that the bottom 3 would be: Scott McIntyre, Anoop Desai, and Lil Rounds. We shall see.

Adam Lambert: SAFE (surprise)

Kris Allen: SAFE

Anoop Desai: Bottom 3

Time for Flo Rida perform. Never heard of him. I never thought I'd say this: Can you please bring Frankie Avalon back? OK, who is this Flo Rida dude? Here are some facts...

*Successful rapper from Florida (hence, his stage name)

*Born in 1979

Well, that's all I can find about him. Oh yeah, here's another little nugget:  THIS MUSIC IS WRETCHED!!

Oh great, he's touring this summer. I better head to ticketmaster.com.

Danny Gokey: SAFE

Matt Giraud: SAFE

Scott McIntyre: Bottom 3 (FINALLY!)

Allison Iraheta: SAFE

Lil Rounds: Bottom 3

Kelly Pickler performing now. I think she accidentally grabbed the wrong size dress in the dressing room.

OK...time to bring the bottom 3 out. One of them will be sent to safety. That person is...Lil. OK, we've dodged one bullet. One more to go and Scott...rightly so...will be going home.

Back from the break...time to find out who's going home (well, who will be singing for their life). I highly doubt whether the judges would use their "save" to save either one of these guys. Only 30,000 votes separate these two. The person with the lowest number of votes is...SCOTT!  He's singing again now. Oh no...he's singing Survivor???? Uh, this just isn't working. Apparently, 2 judges think he should stay and 2 judges think he should go. You're kidding me. Simon has made a decision and he says that it's the end of the road for Scott. That's the right decision...the singers who are left are much more talented.

This Sunday (April 12th)

Morning Service

Songs

#274 (Red hymnal)

#540 (Red hymnal)

#198 (Blue hymnal)

#364 (Blue hymnal)

#22 (Blue hymnal)

Sermon

Acts 17:16-34:  "The Scandal of the Empty Tomb"

Evening Service

Songs

#73 (Red hymnal)

#160 (Blue hymnal)

#356 (Blue hymnal)

#190 (Blue hymnal)

Sermon

1 Corinthians 15:  "Our Resurrection Bodies"

Good Friday Service

Our Good Friday service is this Friday night, at 7:00 p.m. We will be singing psalms and hymns, reading Scripture together, confessing our faith together, and hearing from the Word of God. Following is the liturgy for this Friday night...

Call to Worship

Invocation

God's Greeting

Psalm of Praise: #22 (Blue hymnal)

Responsive Reading: Isaiah 53

Hymn of Praise: #257 (Red hymnal)

Corporate Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 16

Hymn of Response: #261 (Red hymnal)

Congregational Prayer

Offering: Benevolence Fund

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading: Mark 15:33-39

Sermon: "The Meaning of the Darkness"

Prayer of Application

Hymn of Response: #355 (Blue hymnal)

Benediction

Doxology: #488 (Blue hymnal)

Hope to see you there!

My Sabbath

It's been an incredibly busy last couple of weeks. It started off with getting the flu and being in bed for 4 1/2 days. Then there was the normal stuff of the ministry (sermon prep, new members class, meeting with prospective new members, etc.). On top of that, there was classis (with a very full agenda), as well as a wedding. And although the Lord's Day is a wonderful day of rest, there's not a whole lot of rest for the typical pastor. That's why Mondays are so nice...particularly, this week, with spring break for our children. We started out by going to the mall...then driving to take a peek at our friends' new home that they are building. Then we went to Costco, came back home, BBQ'd salmon on the grill (as well as bell peppers and pineapple). After that, we headed down to Zuanich Point Park here in Bellingham to watch the sunset (pictures below; remember, these pics are with an iPhone and not a great quality camera). Then we came home, had some strawberries and angel food cake, and in about 35 minutes, I'll be watching Jack Bauer save the world.