January 12, 2014 Bulletin

Dear Friends,

Well, it seems like we have made it through the Polar Vortex...Hopefully you were able to find ways to stay warm & safe during the cold spell.  Although many schools & businesses closed & many of us were able to stay home, there were many who were not able to stay home & had to go to work.  Thank you to those of you who were working to clear roads or sidewalks...To those who were working to keep all of us safe...To those who were rescuing stranded drivers...To those who were working in hospitals caring for patients… Thank you for your service & for your work.  

As we continue through this winter…Especially on Sundays, to take caution before driving.  I want us all to be in worship together, but I also want all of us to be safe.  Please travel safely & wisely in bad weather.  If you feel like you can’t or shouldn’t drive...please don’t.

Also, please keep in mind that winter raises our expenses through increased heat & plowing costs.  If you are unable to participate in worship on Sunday mornings, you can still send in your pledge to help cover some of these costs.  

As this winter continues & seems like we will be cold for awhile (even though 32 feels like a heat wave)...Find some fun ways to keep warm with your families...experiment with science (throwing hot water, blowing bubbles, making t-shirts freeze)...Watch a movie marathon...Pick up a new spiritual discipline...Bake cookies… Hopefully you’ll find new ways to be entertained!

Blessings,

~Pastor Melissa

Top Musical Releases of 2013

I know, mine is the list that matters the most in the top 10 lists, aren't they?  Spotify has changed the way I listen to music, being that I don't buy anything anymore... But, I have had some releases on rotation this year... These are not in order, but in random order!  I'm also totally open to suggestions if you have any! (Please be aware that many of these have explicit language and are not all child friendly...Truth be told even some of the music today that doesn't contain any profanity is not child friendly...I have a lot of thoughts on faith & pop culture, and if you'd like to talk more about them, I'd be happy to do that!).


1.)  The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake
        We have waited far too long for a Justin Timberlake to release new music.  And over & over this year he proved what a performer he is.  If you haven't watched any of those performances, you must be living under a rock!  Even an Nsync reunion??  Justin is an amazing performer, hands down.  This was a great release for sure... I loved both parts-- 1 & 2 (although maybe I liked part 1 just a bit more...).  I want to be one of the Tennessee kids.

Tracks to listen to: Strawberry Bubblegum, Mirrors, TKO

2.) Inland by Jars of Clay
     I absolutely love Jars of Clay...they always write & sings songs that speak the song of my soul... Theologically thoughtful, full of love, full of grace, and sometimes full of challenge... To be honest, this one almost slipped by me!  I remember listening all the way through the first time & then I got stuck on one song.... Fall Asleep... Absolutely adore this song...I have listened to it on repeat for a whole car trip (30 min!)... Beautiful.  The rest of the album is just beautiful as well...

Tracks to listen to: Fall Asleep, Love in Hard Times, Left Undone

3.) The Collection by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
     I had never heard of Drew Holcomb until they were at Story this year. Seeing someone live can always change your perception of their music and usually make you fall more in love with them!  This was absolutely the case for me!  Their energy on stage & telling of stories alongside their songs was just beautiful... I probably would have fallen in love with their music... The harmonies, the lyrics, the guitar... I could (and have) listened to them for hours.

Tracks to listen to: Live Forever, Hung the Moon, Fire & Dynamite

4.) In A World Like This by The Backstreet Boys
     Come on, the Backstreet Boys have been around for 20 years!  And with the whole crew back together, it's a little nostalgic to listen to them again.  What's been great is that their style hasn't seemed to change over the years...Which is probably a problem because the world & musical tastes have...But, BSB will forever have a soft spot in my heart!

Tracks to listen to: In A World Like This, Breathe, Try

5.) The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars
     The story around this release was widely published...They didn't get along & it was brutal putting this album together.  You can tell that throughout the lyrics & even in the music...Through their challenges, what is created is absolutely beautiful.  I hope that they are able to make more music together...but I absolutely love what is created here.  I will give you some tracks to check out in particular, but the truth is that you need to listen to this whole thing for perspective!

Tracks to listen to: Tell Mama, Sacred Heart, Dust to Dust

6.) Crash My Party by Luke Bryan
      I decided at some point in the last year that I needed to like Country Music... I don't know why...It was just a feeling that I needed to like country music.  Blake Shelton was my gateway drug which lead me to Luke Bryan.  I love the energy & while he may be criticized for being not country enough (which might make me like him more...)... There's still the heart of country music for me... And I like it.  And I may or may not have sung it at the top of my lungs a lot

Tracks to listen to: Play it Again, Drink a Beer, Blood Brothers

7.) Bangerz by Miley Cyrus
    This was Miley's year...For better or for worse... What I think was lost through some of her gimmicks was the fact that she actually has a pretty good voice!  Unfortunately, it's not remarkable & therefore she needs some of the gimmicks to get noticed... That's really unfortunate.... But, for the controversy about her dress & antics, she put out a pretty good album this year!  I never thought that something by Miley (or Hannah Montana) would ever be on my list, but guess what... it happens!

Tracks to listen to: SMS (Bangerz), Do My Thang, My Darlin'

8.) Prism by Katy Perry
     Katy Perry always puts out quality music...She's got a powerful voice & lyrics that usually really connect.  Her personal life was highly publicized through her divorce & there was no doubt that was going to feed into her music here.  What could have been a really dark album is not...it's something beautiful.  Whatever is attributed to that... her new relationship, her growth...Her ability to help let light shine in the darkness is extraordinary.

Tracks to listen to: By the Grace of God, Unconditionally, Love Me

9.) Britney Jean by Britney Spears
    I was not a Britney fan until she had her breakdown...Then I really was rooting for her to succeed & make the comeback she was capable of.  The thing about Britney is that she's not the best singer in the world...What you need to keep in mind here is everything... She is a professional performer.  I would probably guess that if you took entertainment from Britney, she wouldn't know what to do... This is what she's done her whole life.  Give her a script or a song or a dance & she shines... Ask her an improv question or even ask her to sing live...well, that won't go as well.  But, come on... It's Britney.

Tracks to listen to: Perfume, Don't Cry, Alien

10.) Beyonce by Beyonce
     Beyonce surprised everyone by releasing this...and she's Beyonce, so she can do that.  Beyonce is not going to put out anything less than quality.  She's an incredible performer, an amazing singer, and has been so wise in her career choices.  Releasing this as a visual album is really creative & really what many people want out of Beyonce... to see her perform.  This is so worth all the hype.

Tracks to listen to: Drunk in Love, Heaven, XO