For our Easter services, it was time to redo the stage. The current design was up since the new year. I’m a creative type who would love to change the stage every week but since that is not realistic, I have to be content with redoing it for our big events. So here’s what we did.

I totally love creative environments. It is amazing how just decorating something can transform the ambience so that one feels more relaxed, creative, or positive about things! So that’s why I really enjoyed these two posts:

A pirate ship bedroom. I’m not really into pirates all that much but I must admit this is an ultra cool bedroom. Click here to see more.

Since the Christmas season is now over, we had to take everything down, which was a great opportunity to create a new stage design!

After doing the stage, it was time to attend to the lighting.

This was a bear. We had 19 lights on our 30-foot ceiling to move. I am so thankful that one of our church members generously donated a lift they got off of Craigs List. I can’t imagine doing all this with a ladder. But the lift did not have wheels, which meant to change each light it meant theoretically the process was supposed to be:

This month I had a blast working with the leadership team on our Christmas Eve services. It was really fun helping to create the drama, video, and tech area, but a major focus on my role was the look and feel of the services.

I’ve wanted to get a macro lens for my digital SLR camera for ages, but was put off by the high prices. Then I saw some filters recommended by another photographer and ordered some. Although they don’t have the versatility of a true macro lens (so I hear — I would never know, because I’ve never used one!), they are a fraction of the cost and let me get closeups I can’t get with my regular lens!

Recently my mom cleaned out her garage, and what did she find? My old dusty piano trophies from teenage days! I always wondered what happened to those…

Anyway, they were a perfect opportunity to try out my new camera because 1) I like the colors 2) they are relatively small to photograph and 3) they don’t move — unlike my children. And also I want to get rid of clutter so I can clear out our house after I take some pictures.

I am quite amazed at the power of ambience to impact perception. God has created in people a resonance with beauty. Some people are out in nature and the beauty of nature helps them respond to God. Other people respond when they see an amazing dance, beautiful music, or a piece of art. This week I was struck by the impact of color and light as our stage had a makeover.

I saw this video and thought it was hilarious. It’s an introduction to a sermon series called “Intervention.”

I was asked to give feedback on the PowerPoint slide below.