Training beyond your wildest dreams

We won't teach you how to scream, but we will give you tips on singing better, plus much, much more. Take a look at all that will be offered at our ministry rally. It is not too late for you to sign up. Go to cffamily.org and sign up now or simply call the church office. The Palmetto Bay campus number is 305.238.1818 [Ministry Rally, Friday November 7th, 7:00 PM at the Palmetto Bay campus]
Look at this:

Worship

o Vocal Techniques - Sammy Flores (Worship Rehearsal Room)
• How to prepare to sing
• How to improve singing
• Pitch and Intonation

o Song Writing - Berchman Paul and Carlos Lollett
(Worship Center Platform)
• Creative writing
• Rhythm and rhyme
• How to construct a good melody
• How to structure a song

o Preparing for Worship - Brandon Hiltibidal and Abiel Mir
(Worship Center)
• What is worship
• How to prepare for the weekend worship experience
• How to utilize songs in worship preparation

Creative Arts

o Presentation Zen
• Learn the reasons behind why some graphic pieces are more visually appealing and effective than others.
• See examples
• Discuss ideas
• Get a free book.

o Getting Others Involved
• Learn how to get your family, friends, and co-workers involved in serving God through Ministry Teams. This Breakout will provide a very practical way to see your circle of influence experience true joy by serving God with their gifts and abilities.

Media

o Audio - Anthony Portillo (Worship Center sound board)
• Hands on explanation of compressors
• Simple look at when to EQ
• Effects, Reverb and Delay... when to use and when not to use

o ProPresenter - Oscar Roque (Room 2202)
• Using digital visuals to create the worship environment
• Learn how to set up and run a service through ProPresenter
• Oh, so that's how you use a Mac

o Camcorder Operation/Script Writing - Basil Lewis/Hector Huyo (Library) (NOT SURE IF THIS ONE IS HAPPENING YET)
• Learn how to use a Video Camera without shaking the camera
• Learn how to FILM FOR EDITING - zooms, pans, pushes...
• Discover creative elements that will make Announcement Videos more memorable

o Creativity in Stage Design - Mary Mokher (Chapel/Print office)
• 'Tis the season to convert five CF campuses across Miami-Dade into "Simply Christmas"
• Come up with another creative thing to do with tinsel
• Learn how to create a welcoming worship environment that is attractive to first time guests

o Producing Church on Camera - Charlie Bearham (Worship Center Control Room)
• Advanced Techniques in filming WORSHIP & TEACHING
• Learn "The Philosophy Behind Teaching"
• So wait, the camera represents how many people?

o Heroes - Keith Thomas (Worship Center balcony)
• I want to "save the day" for a multisite venue
• Learn how to be a problem solver...
• Documentation is key...

o ProTools - Chip Mokher (Christ Fellowship Studio)
• I've run a sound board before. I'm decent with audio. What else ya got?
• Multitrack does not mean two 8-track players...
• Learn how to use Professional Studio Recording gear...

Wardrobe Check

Anything unusual about this shirt?

I wore this Saturday evening during worship. I borrowed it from my son. Hummmmm. I didn't think anything about the shirt...just a cool shirt. Now, look close.

It was a great service, even with the shirt.

See you soon.
Psalm 27:8

Ephesians 6:10-18

We must always be ready.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

I will share more later.
It was an amazing weekend.
s

Middle Screen Images for this weekends services

Just in case you thought we randomly selected images and just hoped everything turns out okay for the weekend. Here is a pic of the images that are selected for this weekend at the Palmetto Bay campus. Here is the process:

I select the songs, then select an image that will be used throughout that song. (some of these images are created by a group of volunteers who I like to say have wicked photo shop skills.)
Then through the magic of technology, Jeff Reed and his team of volunteers program with lights and color shifting through hardware and software what you will then see during the song. Each song could have several cues that are programed long before you arrive to worship.

Then next weekend we do the process all over again, with different images and cues. It's a beautiful thing.

I appreciate our staff and volunteers for the hard work they do each and every weekend.

See ya this weekend.

CF Live in Spanish

Yesterday I spent three hours recording. We're recording all the vocals of the CF Live CD in Spanish. It's gonna give us an awesome opportunity to share our Live CD with all our Spanish speaking friends and partnerships in Cuba, Argentina, El Salvador and Bolivia. I obviously need to practice my Spanish more.

Let me remind you if you've not already registered for our Ministry Rally, take a moment to do so. www.cffamily.org

We'll be sending out the ministry breakouts to you so you can make a decision on which breakout you'll be attending before you arrive.

We'll see you at rehearsal.
S

Thanks

Thanks to all the peeps who make the service run each weekend. It was a great weekend. The tech crew, under the direction of Jeff Reed and Hector Huyo did awesome. The video testimonies have been inspirational. Lives changed. So sweet!

Worship team...you all were over the top! Thanks for your contribution. Worship Choir, wow! You all did amazing! I love you all.

Don't forget to register for the ministry rally. Great food, a message of biblical proportions from pastor Rick, great breakouts...you don't want to miss it.

go to www.cffamily.org
I love you all.
Sammy

101 was really good.

We had 30 peeps who attended 101 connection class. We had around seven people who went down the slide and I didn't have anyone fall asleep while I was speaking and best of all, we had one person who crossed the bridge of faith.

After a few days away from the weekend, it has been humbling to hear the way so many people were blessed from this weekend's worship services. Eric's message was powerful and the music portion of the worship service engaged the entire congregation to celebrate, reflect and to contemplate their own story.

Let's pray for another great weekend.

This Wednesday we'll begin the worship ministry small group, Identity. If you're not in a small group, come check it out right after our rehearsal.

Ministry Rally is coming...yes! Some great news of "biblical proportions" will be announced. Sign up today! Online,or sign up this evening at rehearsal.

See you tonight.
Sammy

18 decisions for Christ, 30 attended 101 Connection Class

This was a great weekend. We saw 18 people cross the bridge of faith. It was amazing. God is so awesome!

There were 30 who attended our 101 connection class. It was great to be teaching right here on the Palmetto Bay campus. We gave the school a try, but this is much better.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness.

I must say thanks to all who were a part of our cardboard testimonies. You all gave of your time for each service this weekend. We really appreciate you.

Each of us has a story to tell. Ask God to give you an opportunity this week to share your story.

God bless you.
Sammy

27 years...My sweet wife has had to put up with me.

Well, today Linda and I celebrate 27 years of marriage. How those years have flown by. I proposed to her under a big Ficus tree in my parents backyard and six months later we were married at Airport Blvd. Baptist Church, in Mobile, Alabama.

He has blessed us with three great kids, and blessings beyond belief along the way. He has been with us every step of the way and the stories we could share.

Now here we are, 27 years later in an awesome church, where God is doing amazing things. The greatest people ever...wow God! You are so good.

Tonight, we will celebrate...our small group will begin "Identity." What could be better.

Linda, thanks for being the best mom ever to our kids. You did great with them and they love you like crazy for it. Your support of me and everywhere the ministry has taken us has been more than anyone could ever imagine. Thank you so much. I will always love you.

I hope today is an outstanding day. See you soon. I've gone running.

Never Cease To Worship HIM
Sammy

Palmetto High Battle of the Bands!

This has been a crazy week. It's been jam-packed with events. It began with Mr. Panther on Thursday. Austin did amazing and was "Crowned" Mr. Panther! I was ecstatic. Actually they forgot to give him the crown. He got it later at Johnny Rockets.

Then on Friday, we had our small group which meets at our home. We're having a blast and will begin "Identity this Friday.

Then Saturday, the worship pastors all gathered to lead worship for our Saturday Service...It was sweet!

Then on Sunday, I competed in my first Sprint Triathlon, where I placed 3rd in my age group and 30Th out of a group of 253. I had a blast and my entire family was with me. It was so great. Matt Damon was there...I didn't see him.

Well the fun keeps coming. Then on Tuesday evening, December's Waiting, my son Austin's band played in the Palmetto High School Battle of the Bands. They did really good. The band members were my older son Andy, a graduate of Palmetto, Z Money, Dave Palmar,who presently attends Palmetto, and Chris Beckford. These guys are all Christ Fellowship musicians who love God and happen to be really good musicians.

In my son Andy's own words, "We won that jank, we won that jank!" Yea, that's right! They won! All the bands did really good. I'm proud of my son's. It was great to see them up there playing together. I remembered when I was attending Palmetto and played a concert there on that exact stage. We played songs by Alice Cooper, Rolling Stones...well you get the point. How time as flown by. Man!

Love your kids. Give em hugs. Tell them you love them.

On another note, The November Ministry Rally will be on the 9TH. Sign up on-line now at www.cffamliy.org

Also, check out this site: www.storiesaboutyou.org. You'll see and here some amazing stories of lives changed.

I love you all.

Worship, Family and Finishing my first Triathlon

Leading worship with the worship staff was really cool on Saturday. We did a full on acoustic set. No drums, no piano, no bass, just three guitars, conga, shaker and tambourine. It was really special. Rick's message...on point. I love Rick. He is amazing.

Then on Sunday, I completed my first Triathlon. Having my family with me was awesome! April and Joel came down from Tampa to watch. Gloria and Carlos from our small group came and cheered me on.

What a great time. The Lord is so good. I'll share some more later. Just humbled right now by God's grace and mercy.

I will say that the Lord gave me an opportunity to witness to a couple; I had prayed for an opportunity and the one guy I strike up a conversation with, lives a few miles away from Christ Fellowship Palmetto Bay! Need I say more.

I love you all.

Today, I became a Pageant Mom.

My son Austin tonight won the crown of Mr. Panther at Palmetto Senior High School. It was really cool. Waiting for the competition to begin, I sat there with Chesley, Kinsey and Kelsey, talking, reading, just watching the countdown.

Once the competition began, I noticed that I was getting into it. I felt like those pageant moms, that are all up in your face. The swim suit competition went well, and Austin looked hip. Then he made the Top Ten. It all started getting crazy.

Then the Top Five, no way! He could win this thing..."Hey everybody, that's my son up there, pay attention to him."

Then a moment happened that I will never forget. The top five pick a question from a hat (they don't know what the questions are) for the one-on-one interview. Here is the question that Austin picks. He is the first to go. "There have been many great people that have graduated from Palmetto Sr. Hg. Can you name one of them." Austin, says,"My Dad." He proceeded to say why he was proud of me. "I hope people will see my dad in me."

I was humbled. It was a moment I will never forget. I yelled, "I love You." Yep, I did.

Then the moment of truth. "The 2009 Mr. Panther winner is...Austin Flores." The crowd went wild! It was a really cool.

Thank you God for blessing me with a great wife and three great kids.

Okay Austin, tomorrow we begin training for state. We gotta be serious about this thing.

A great start for the Mid-Week Worship Service.

There was around 125 people for the first mid-week worship service at our Downtown campus. It was really exciting to see the folks coming in. Rick did a great job and the worship team, led by Abiel was really good. The greeters and media team did awesome. Continue to be in prayer for this service.

Well, the countdown is on to my first Triathlon. I'm excited. A bit nervous. You know, stretchy pants and all. I'm excited about the event, and one of my prayers is that I would be able to share my faith. Thanks for your prayers.

Countdown also continues for Parables. Let's do our part and invite a boat-load of people.

Finish Strong
Sammy

4 days till my Triathlon, Start day of the Mid-Week Down Town and 3 days till Parables

I went riding and swimming yesterday after work for a short workout...Got soaked! I didn't know that I could actually maintain control of my bike while riding. I thought, "This may be good practice if it rains on the day of my race." You can't see worth a flip.

I'm getting ready to go out to run now. I'll have to dodge some puddles.

Pray for the launch of the mid-week downtown worship service today. For Abiel, Rick, and the media and worship team.

Also be in prayer for the start of Parables, Stories About You, sermon series. This will begin on Saturday. I'm really excited about this.

See you all tonight and rehearsal.
Sammy