I can’t decide if the Sunday after an anniversary celebration is the beginning of the next journey or the second Sunday of the new journey. Whatever the case I was able to visit Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forrest, California this past Sunday which was the Sunday after their 30 year celebration. I have visited a number churches and I think Saddleback does some things far superior to any place I have attended:
- They know how to manage parking
- They make sure everyone is greeted at least three times before they ever reach the worship center.
- Even after tremendous growth, there is still this atmosphere of openness and being laid back.
- They are willing to involve as many people in worship as possible
- They are willing to move past their perceived style of worship to make a point or to engage the congregation
I love visiting Saddleback; each time I do I learn something. Here is their set list for Sunday April 11, 2010.
Opening Song: I’m Set Free (Rick Muchow)
Recap of Easter Sunday Video -lesson learned: it is okay to celebrate things in the worship service…especially big things, like Easter services at Los Angeles Angels stadium.
Song: You Are Good (Israel Houghton) One cool thing about Saddleback, they are not afraid to spotlight good musicians. During this song the alto sax player took a 16 bar solo. He did so by moving from his seat in the orchestra to center stage….only at Saddleback.
Sermon Intro: Here Rick Warren did a 10 minute intro to the sermon
Choir Song: Are You Ready For A Miracle? (I can’t find this song.) If I had closed my eyes I would have thought I was at Brooklyn Tabernacle not Saddleback.
Sermon: When You Are Running Out of Everything, the second sermon in a series titled Hoping for A Miracle.
Song: I Have A Hope (Tommy Walker) I loved the way they started this song…slow and let the solo make the point of the song across before they jumped into tempo.
Dismiss: Very casual with some instructions about how to follow up in a small group or by baptism. The coolest part was that as we left the building, Rick Warren was at our exit giving as many as he could a hug or handshake.