Posted: 29 January 2011 at 10:44pm | IP Logged

Yes, surly Zippy is  , Jennie  , Maggie , TT is , and I must be    ^ ^   (which is a bit tricky to do) I don't want to be a geek!

However, we need to be free to use each other's emoticons, otherwise Zippy gets no hugs, and no one can give Maggie a stern smile (both of which are necessary)

Posted: 30 January 2011 at 10:37pm | IP Logged

One thing Zippy is not, is surly, Seagull!   Those are your flying goggles!  We saw you today, flying over the car park in Billericay.

We got to the service; it was lovely and it was great to see everyone (but we missed you,  !)   

 now, so I'll tell you a bit about it tomorrow... 

Posted: 31 January 2011 at 1:35pm | IP Logged

What a fantastic Sunday.Amazing arrangements on all of the songs and all linked superbly into a memorable service.

Nice to see Zippy and Sharpies and co again. 

Thanks to the band and friends.

My 4 year old has not stopped talking about it and marching around singing "when the roll is called up yonder".....hope he'll be ok when we get back to our church ....."dad ...where are the band?" and "dad...can we go to that other church with the band?" are questions I'll probably have to answer!

Off to download Ride Back Home for my I pod now.

Love to all.

Mark and James x x

Posted: 31 January 2011 at 3:54pm | IP Logged

Mark, I see your three year old has metamorphosed into a four- year old. Has James had a birthday, or was it just a very maturing experience? :-)

Glad you enjoyed it. You are surEly the essence of ATF enthusiasm!

Posted: 31 January 2011 at 5:32pm | IP Logged

I did wonder also!! 

Posted: 31 January 2011 at 6:02pm | IP Logged

Well, the service was excellent. Lots of lovely music. There were quite a lot of musicians. Pete, John & Rob, also, someone on a guitar, violin, cello, (chello, jello !??), mandolin, the drum box thingy/percussion, slide guitar. In all a great sound and very enjoyable.

Pete lead the service and arranged the music.

Among the service, prayers and hymns were acoustic versions of songs.

Music included, Sometimes, Help! (song by that not so well known band!!!), How deep the Father's love for us, Ride Back Home (John Mellencamp), Are We Alright (Show of Hands), When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, Some glad morning when this life is o'er, Dark Side, Time to Think, Meet Me (Rob), Laser Love, Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!, Did Trouble Me (Susan M Werner), You, and last was my fav, Here is love, vast as the ocean.

The Thought For The Day was done by John Russell (you know, that guy who plays the guitar ).

It was the kind of service I would love to go to every week.

It was fantastic to meet up with Jennie & John again (and Janice), also, Mr Dominion and baby Dominion. Mark, James is gorgeous, I couldn't resist a hug! I watched him clapping and enjoying the music, he was quite well behaved, and soooooooo cute !

Also, to see Rev Paul again, and JP (he has cut his hair, lovely ), Paul Crease, Richard Shipton, Jean, Nikita, David Halligan.... and everyone who knows me!!!

Vitual hug for JP  because I didn't get to say goodbye before I left!

Pete, John & Rob, never fail to be excellent! Thanks guys for a great Sunday morning celebration.

Last but not least, thanks to my groupie buddy, chauffeur and McDonalds chum, Richster64, who also enjoyed the service.

Love and hugs to you all, Zippy   xxxxx

Posted: 31 January 2011 at 8:26pm | IP Logged

 Mark and Zippy, it was good to see you, and everyone, and to meet James, bless him, good on him!

These services are a refreshing change from what we're used to.  It was beautifully crafted, as always, challenging, reflective, encouraging, joyful, peaceful, reverent, inspiring... and a feast of wonderful music.  There were some great songs and hymns and we loved the arrangements - especially Time to Think.  When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound was fun and rousing!  I haven't sung that for years.  Mentioning it to my mother-in-law reminded her of her Grandma singing it!

There were no fewer than nine musicians, plus Carly (?) joining in for a song, and it was a fabulous sound!  (Thanks JP, hope you've got over your nervous breakdown!  )

A big thank you, everyone, including Paul and your congregation for the warm welcome.

I'm left with a regret and a desire...  I so wish I could sing harmonies, and I'm longing to hear this band again, yes, in a service, but also, playing a gig!!  It would be brilliant!  Please, please make it happen, Peter, you know you want to!!!!

Jennie, with love and   to everyone xx