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FGA OPen Day
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The new things that make FGA Sundays “bigger and better” were given a kick-start on the first Sunday in February as we revealed the new sanctuary layout, launched the “Life Journey” Discipleship program and showcased the new Kids Ministry. Other ministries also used the special “Open Day” program to announce their exciting new activities for 2007.
The new sideways sanctuary layout allows for much more screen space, with two screens for live video images and a large central screen for song lyrics and overhead projection images. Those screens were put to use from the very start of the new services, with a catchy video-clip linking images from ancient Israel with today’s world and Australia in particular.
As images of the Aussie outback faded the sounds of a didgeridoo, played by Michael Larion resounded through the room as Roger then led us all in a rousing chorus of “This is the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit”.
With instruments and singers spread over the length of the extensive stage it was easy to feel part of the worship experience, although many people were busy taking in and settling into the new layout and ambiance. The Elders dedicated the new sanctuary for the Lord’s glory and prayed God’s blessing on all that will take place at FGAM this year. Then we enjoyed cinema style announcements, complete with video-clips and images filling all three screens. To give the big screens an even more valuable part in our new-look services a pre-recorded videoclip screened featuring Pastor Chris Field in a bushland setting, explaining the new theme, - “Following the Master” and introducing the first “Sermon in the Bush”.
Pastor Roland (live on stage and complete with Aussie bush hat) then opened up the theme for Feb/March, Following the Master, by kicking off a review of the Beatitudes taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (recorded in Matthew 5).
As he preached on “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” his power-point slides filled the centre screen, while camera images of him preaching were projected onto the two side screens.
The First Service was quite full, with a standing-room-only crowd in the huge parents’ room on what had previously been the stage. That new room proved to be a great vantage point for participating in the service. While the First Service was running, there were two classes of “Life Journey”, the new Discipleship program, running on the campus as well. Then, at the end of the service, refreshments were served as usual and people enjoyed fellowship in the chapel.
Displays were set up demonstrating the new games for Kids Ministry, promoting the new YA program and announcing the imminent launch of Fungus for 2007.
The crowd thinned out quicker than normal as people headed off to the “Life Journey” classes or to the Second Service. The Second Service has not been as well attended as the 9.30am First Service, so you can be sure there will be room for you at the 11.30 am service if you are running late.
Overall it was a busy day, but the fuller program was not to kick off until the next Sunday.
Congratulations and thanks to all those who worked together to make possible the launch of our new sanctuary and new programs. Many people volunteered to paint, carry things, and help out in the preparation of the new sanctuary. It has been an enormous effort, with many things not ready until the night before. Setting up the sound system was a job that fell to Stanley Ong, in his new “intern” role. The involvement of so many people, at both the YWAM Sanctuary and in fitting out our new Box Hill Base has shown what we can achieve when we all work together.
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