Pentecost Sunday-- sermon and service

Today was my last service at Flintstone United Methodist and it was Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church.  Pentecost is a fun Sunday for worship and for preaching.  Well, most Sundays are... especially when the songs and service come together and flow.  Today was one of those days.  Things flowed... from the songs we sang, to what the Spirit brought about.  It was a good time of worship.

We had a member join the church today and that was a gift.  Another gift was a young man whom I baptized my first "Baptism of the Lord" Sunday in the parish, when I happened to be at Flintstone UMC. He has grown quite a bit these past several years.  When I gave an invitation for anointing and prayer at the end of the sermon, he was one of a railing full who came forward.  What a moment to pray for him and anoint him, thinking back to that day several years ago in January 2016.  It was also meaningful for me to pray for each and every one who was at that altar for anointing and prayer.  What a humbling and powerful experience.

At the very end of the service, I was asked to come up front so that they could pray for me.  I tossed my vial of anointing oil to the lay leader of the day, Mary Beth, and she caught it. I asked her to anoint me as they prayed for me and Riley at the close of the service.  It was a first for her and it caught her off guard.  But it was one of those moments in which the Spirit was moving. 

That happened often at the "little rock church".  I have many wonderful memories of Holy Spirit moments in services where things just flowed well, "home runs" as David would say. 

What an incredible four years to be in mission and ministry with those folks at Flintstone as we were led together by God's Spirit.

The sermon was "Led By God's Spirit" from Romans 8:14-17.

You can hear the recorded sermon by clicking on this link for the sermon: "Led By God's Spirit".

Here is the transcript for the sermon:

“Led By God’s Spirit”

Romans 8:14-17 (NRSV)

June 9th, 2019 (Pentecost Sunday)

Flintstone UMC

Romans 8:14-17 (NRSV)

¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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In our call to worship this morning, the leader invited the Holy Spirit to come, along with additional words to ignite our hearts, fill us, and be with us.  We responded to each one. Yet, what we didn’t do as a whole was to invite the Holy Spirit to come.  I want to give each of us the opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit free reign as we continue our worship this morning.  Will you join me in saying: “Come, Holy Spirit!”. [“Come, Holy Spirit!”]

Will you pray with me?

“God of wind, word, and fire, we bless your name this day

   for sending the light and strength of your Holy Spirit.

We give you thanks for all the gifts, great and small,

   that you have poured out upon your children.

Accept us with our gifts

   to be living praise and witness to your love throughout all the earth;

through Jesus Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

   one God, for ever. Amen.”  (Don E. Saliers, U.S.A. 20^th CENT.) BOW 408

Today is Pentecost Sunday.  From the UMC.org site glossary (http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/glossary-pentecost): “One of the principal days of the Christian year, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. The Greek word pentecoste means "fiftieth day." Pentecost is the day on which the Christian church commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and others assembled in Jerusalem. It marks the beginning of the Christian church and the proclamation of its message throughout the world and is often referred to as the birthday of the church. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red. Traditionally, Pentecost has been a day for baptisms. Because it was the custom in the early church for persons being baptized to wear white robes or clothing, the day also became known as Whitsunday, a contraction of white Sunday.” 

When we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

The place of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in our faith journey, in our churches, in everything is undeniable and something to which we are well advised to pay more attention.

As we become quiet and posture ourselves to listen to the Spirit, we are more likely to hear what is being said.

This past week I spent time at a retreat center in Wisconsin with other pastors and leaders who have been led by the Spirit to start outdoor worship services, outdoor churches.  It was an amazing opportunity to gather, to listen, to worship, to hear the stories of how the Spirit has been moving in and among people.  There are Lutheran, Mennonite, Episcopal, UCC, and Methodist folks involved.  To hear the stories of the different beginnings reminded me quite a bit of the early church and Pentecost.  The church began at Pentecost, as we see from the other Lectionary readings for today. (Acts 2:1-21) 

Verse 17— ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 

There are dreams and visions coming to life as people listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to the nudging.  I have shared with you before about my time in the bamboo at Reflection Riding and how that experience has become an outdoor worship service.  I had no idea in the beginning that seeds were being planted for such a thing.  When things began stirring more inside me, I questioned and doubted some, but decided to trust and obey and see what the Spirit was doing.  It was humbling and encouraging to gather in the bamboo that first Saturday with others for worship, recognizing that the nudging of the Holy Spirit inside me was coming to life.

It isn’t easy to take those steps of risk in the faith.  I imagine it wasn’t easy back in the day when the church first began.  As you look at the Acts 2 passage, you will notice that folks were bewildered by what was going on.  They couldn’t understand.  Some people even condemned those who were responding to the Holy Spirit.  Yet, the Spirit continued to work and the people responded.

Our focus passage in Romans today reminds us that all who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children. 

There is encouragement and affirmation in that statement that comes from Romans 8:14.

As God’s children, we are adopted (15) and we are heirs (17).  This is good news! 

As God’s children, who are led by God’s Spirit, here are some questions:

*Where is the Spirit leading you individually?

*Where is the Spirit leading you as a congregation?

*How will you respond to the Spirit, individually and as a congregation?

Think on these questions for a moment. [Repeat the questions. Allow for quiet reflection for a moment.] [Allow for sharing, if led by the Spirit.  Use the hand held microphone.]

I close with this prayer that we pray on Emmaus weekends:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

http://emmaus.upperroom.org/
https://www.dallasemmaus.org/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit.html (pretty page)

As we sing the song of discipleship, I invite you to come to the altar to pray, to covenant with the Holy Spirit to work together in whatever you are being led. [offer anointing]

In the name of God, the Creator, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Songs from today:

"A Hymn of Pentecost"

"Refiner's Fire"

"As The Deer"

"I Love You Lord"
(acapella)

I love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul, rejoice, take joy my king, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet, sound, in your ear.   

In preparation for today's worship, I created this from the Emmaus prayer and using a photo from the Wild Church Network retreat I took this past week:

Pictures from today:

me and Riley before heading to church this morning-- #wearred #pentecost

sharing how we are led by the Spirit

anointing

children helping children moment

new member

"Be Made One"-- yesterday's sermon from John 17: 20-26

Yesterday I was at Fort Oglethorpe UMC for communion Sunday, the 7th Sunday of Easter, and Ascension Sunday.  The preaching focus wasn't really on the Ascension, though one could note that if we are focusing on Christ, then it all fits together, somehow.  I did share a little about the Ascension.

In this post I will include the songs that were sung, the bulletin cover, and a few reflections.

This wasn't my last Sunday at Fort Oglethorpe UMC, but it was my last communion Sunday.  In fact, that means it was my last communion Sunday in the parish.  Unfortunately, I didn't think about that the last time I was at Flintstone and Simpson for communion, which was Easter Sunday.  If I had, I might have done things differently.

I didn't really do things differently yesterday at FOUMC, except that I offered the opportunity for folks to be anointed with oil and receive prayer after they received communion, if they would like. At FOUMC, the laity serve communion, so that freed me up to offer oil and prayer.  I have offered both at the other churches in the past.  I may have done so at FOUMC too, but I don't recall in the moment.

From my perspective, yesterday was a meaningful worship experience-- from the songs sung, to the music played during communion-- mother and daughter combination of piano and violin, respectively, to the prayer for the mission buckets, to the sharing of communion at the table, to the hearing of the word, to visiting with folks before and after the service, etc.  (Not in that order.)

Below is the transcript of the sermon, the recorded sermon, the songs sung/played during the sermon, and the bulletin cover.

May you find something to encourage and edify you in your journey,

Debra

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Recorded sermon: "Be Made One"

“Be Made One”

John 17:20-26 (CEB)

June 2nd, 2019 (Communion Sunday/7^th Sunday of Easter)

Fort Oglethorpe UMC

John 17:20-26 (CEB)

²⁰ “I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word. ²¹ I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. ²² I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. ²³ I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me.

²⁴ “Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am. Then they can see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me. ²⁶ I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.”

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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Today is the 7^th and final Sunday in Easter. 

Today is also considered Ascension Sunday, with Ascension being Thursday, May 30. [explain—our scripture doesn’t coincide with this, however]

The act of Ascension (Jesus literally rising into the sky) is less important than what it signifies — his enthronement, his being exalted to the right hand of the Father, and his authority in heaven and on earth.

Like the Resurrection, the Ascension of Christ is not primarily a historical proposition we investigate to prove or disprove, but instead an article of our faith in God's history with us and our history as God's people. It is affirmed in all the ecumenical creeds on a par with the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. "He ascended into heaven affirms the core Christian conviction of the fullness of Christ's reign now and in the age to come.

Since Ascension Day always falls on a weekday (always on Thursday), many of our congregations transfer the readings and the celebration of this day to the following Sunday (June 2^nd, Seventh Sunday of Easter)

A FEW NOTES:

Be made one—from verse 23.

One—4x

Love(d)—4x (CEB)

The prayer begins at the end of Jesus’ farewell meal (Keeping Holy Time, year C, 197).  He stopped speaking with his followers and began to pray.  Farewell prayer for original disciples, yet a prayer that enlarges the circle beyond them to include many in the days to come.

Thus, it is a prayer not just for those in his immediate hearing, but for those who came afterwards, for us, and for those with whom we continue to share the love and light of Christ.

The table continues to expand and grow larger.  Imagine that!?!

What do we see from this passage as Jesus’ vision for the church?

How might we pray?

Colossians 3:15 reminds us: “May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this you were called together as parts of one body.”

If we are truly one body, connected, is there unity in Jesus Christ?

“We are One in the spirit/They’ll Know We are Christians”—though not in the UMH, it is in “The Faith We Sing” and many of you may know it, as it was a good ‘old camp song for many years and recently sung by Jars of Clay:

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

UMH 560, Fred Kaan—“Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us; teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.  Be present, Lord, among us, and bring us to believe we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.” 

Help us accept each other

as Christ accepted us;

teach us as sister, brother,

each person to embrace.

Be present, Lord, among us

and Bring us to believe:

we are ourselves accepted

and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons,

as in our daily life

we struggle to be human

and search for hope and faith.

Teach us to care for people,

for all - not just for some,

to love them as we find them

or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us

so that we may be moved

in living situations

to do the truth in love;

to practice your acceptance

until we know by heart

the table of forgiveness

and laughter's healing art.

Lord, for today's encounters

with all who are in need,

who hunger for acceptance,

for justice and for bread,

we need new eyes for seeing,

new hands for holding on:

renew us with your Spirit;

Lord, free us, make us one!

Make a friend “campaign” that Pastor Justin has started…. How that ties in with what we did/tried to do with “Get Their Name”—

1. Get their name

2. Start a conversation

3. From an authentic relationship over time

4. Lead to a faith moment / sharing

5. Invite to come and see

6. Let the Holy Spirit take it from there

How are you doing in making new friends?  Are you still stuck at where to start?  Why not start in the shopping plaza right next door?  There are employees at each store.  What about the schools across the street?  We already have a connection with the high school through feeding the football players and the band and allowing them space here for testing.  We have one student still there.  What if a couple of folks intentionally made connections with the school?  I wonder if the teachers there need encouraging or prayer?  What can we, as the local church, the church right across the street, do / be for the students and staff?

Yesterday was Rachel Held Evan’s funeral, held at 1^st Centenary UMC.  I wasn’t able to go nor was I able to watch the live stream.  A friend went and shared with me some of the details.  She shared the benediction, the farewell prayer with me. It is a fairly long one, so I won’t share all of it.  However, as we contemplate Jesus’ farewell prayer for us to be one, I think these words from the benediction at Rachel Held Evan’s service tie in well for our consideration:

“Blessed are the agnostics.  Blessed are they who doubt.  Blessed are those who have nothing to offer.  Blessed are the preschoolers who cut in line at communion.  Blessed are the poor in spirit.  You are of heaven and Jesus blesses you.

Blessed are those whom no one else notices.  The kids who sit alone at middle-school lunch tables.  The laundry guys at the hospital.  The sex workers and the night-shift street sweepers.  The closeted.  The teens who have to figure out ways to hide the new cuts on their arms.  Blessed are the meek.  You are of heaven and Jesus blesses you.

Blessed are they who have loved enough to know what loss feels like.  Blessed are the mothers of the miscarried.  Blessed are they who can’t fall apart because they have to keep it together for everyone else.  Blessed are those who “still aren’t over it yet.”  Blessed are those who mourn.  You are of heaven and Jesus blesses you.

I imagine Jesus standing here blessing us because that is our Lord’s nature.  This Jesus cried at his friend’s tomb, turned the other cheek, and forgave those who hung him on a cross.  He was God’s Beatitude—God’s blessing to the weak in a world that admires only the strong.

Jesus invites us into a story bigger than ourselves and our imaginations, yet we all get to tell that story with the scandalous particularity of this moment and this place.  We are storytelling creatures because we are fashioned in the image of a storytelling God.  May we never neglect that gift.  May we never lose our love for telling the story.  Amen.” (Benediction at Rachel Held Evan’s service by Nadia Bolz-Weber on 6/1/19 at 1^st Centenary UMC, Chattanooga, TN, bulletin)

This was read by Nadia Bolz-Weber at the service, who shared that the last three sentences were written by Rachel.  Indeed, they come from her book, “Inspired” n page 164—“We are storytelling creatures because we are fashioned in the image of a storytelling God.  May we never neglect that gift.  May we never lose our love for telling the tale.”

Jesus constantly invites us into the story and to the table.  We are reminded today of Jesus’ final prayer for us to be one and how we need each other in community. 

As we prepare our hearts and minds to come to the table, hear this closing prayer shared this week, on Wednesday morning, from a colleague that he got from the Daily Prayer App (Common Worship: Daily Prayer) of Church House Publishing, a publishing house of the Church of England.

     

Grant to your people, good Lord,
the spirit of unity,
that they may dwell together in your love,
and so bear to the world
the ointment of your healing and the
dew of your blessing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Songs:
Gathering Hymn "Standing on the Promises" -- UMH 374

Praise Music: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"

"Oceans"

Special Music-- "He's Everything"

Closing Hymn-- "Seek Ye First"-- UMH 405

Call to Worship:

L: I tell you this:

It is a wonderful thing when members of the family

live together in love and peace.

P: They shall be like trees planted beside flowing rivers.

L: May the church be one, just as Christ and God are one,

that Christ may be glorified in us.

P: They shall yield good fruit in its season,

and their leaf shall never wither.

L: The grace, mercy and peace, of the Lord Jesus,

be with you all.

P: And also with you.

~Bruce Prewer

https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/04/call-to-worship-prayer-easter-7b.html

Psalm 67-- Celebrate and Thank God!

This past Sunday's Psalm was Psalm 67.  The title was "Celebrate and Thank God!"  We talked about how we don't always feel like celebrating and thanking God, nor did Jesus do so in the difficult times.

Life isn't always easy.  Yet, we are given opportunities to encourage one another in those difficult times.  How we offer encouragement is huge.  I didn't get in to that, really, in the sermon, there wasn't lots of time.... though I did go over my normal time of speaking and went about 22 and 23 minutes, respectively at the two different churches.

Jesus' example that I share is a decent one, one of walking with and being present.  But that wasn't really the focus, so I won't delve deeper here.

The Psalm Prayer came from re:worship.  It was shared as an insert at the second church, so you don't hear it at the end of the sermon, like you do at the first church.  I decided to not use it again.  Things change during the sermon and from church to church, as always.

In both churches, I share about my friend Pagiel, who is different from me.  He is tall, he plays guitar, and he is blind.  I shared about him because he came in to my life unexpectedly a couple of years ago.  And, to all who know his story, we didn't know that he would still be around today to make us laugh and smile, but he is.  He has a special place in my heart and I enjoy hearing him share and sing.  Though he is different from me, we have things in common.  Sometimes it just takes spending time with people to know what those commonalities are.  Pagiel may not be the best example for differences because I wasn't prejudiced against him.  His differences didn't turn me away.  Yet, it was the example I felt led to share.  I am so glad to know this young man, his family, and his "framily".  By the way, if you want to get to know Pagiel and/or check out his music, he works for Sidewalk Stages by Soundcorps and you can catch him at the Walnut Street Bridge, on the corner of Main Street, or probably other locations too.

Both recordings are below the transcript, if you want to listen to one or both of them.

Peace,

Debra

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“Celebrate and Thank God!”

Psalm 67 (CEB)

May 26, 2019 (6^th Sunday of Easter)

Fort Oglethorpe UMC/Simpson UMC

Psalm 67 (CEB)

¹Let God grant us grace and bless us;
    let God make his face shine on us, Selah
²     so that your way becomes known on earth,
    so that your salvation becomes known among all the nations.

³ Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!
⁴     Let the people celebrate
        and shout with joy
        because you judge the nations fairly
        and guide all nations on the earth. Selah
⁵     Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!

⁶ The earth has yielded its harvest.
    God blesses us—our God blesses us!
⁷ Let God continue to bless us;
    let the far ends of the earth honor him.

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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Today is the 6^th Sunday of Easter and we continue our journey through the Psalms.  Today’s Psalm allows us to celebrate and thank God for all in our lives.  We can be thankful for that which has happened, what is going on in the present, and that which is to come.

As you listened to the Psalm today, what stood out to you?  What words or phrases caught your attention?

We read it in the CEB version today.  If we had read in the NRSV or a few different other ones, “let” would be “may” in verses 1, causing us to likely remember the pastoral benediction that we use and hear from time to time from Numbers 6:24-26:  “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, volume 2 480)

As we move on in the Psalm, verse 2 reminds us of the purpose that God grants us peace, blesses us, and shines his face on us (what we read in verse 1).  The “so that” in verse 2 gets our attention for the upcoming purpose, which is for God’s way to be known on the earth and God’s salvation to be known among all nations.

That’s the reason, the purpose that God does what God does.  Does that bring to mind anything?  Maybe, just maybe, it brings to mind for you the mission statement of the United Methodist Church?  We are to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  In doing so, God’s way WILL be known on the earth and God’s salvation will be known among all nations.  If we share the good news from John 3:16-17 (¹⁶ God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. ¹⁷ God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.)

and if we live out our lives as disciples of Christ who seek to make other disciples of Christ, then we are living into God’s purpose.  And then, we have reason to celebrate and thank God as is stated in verses 3 and 4.

Yet, we don’t always “feel” joyful or celebrating, do we?  Life is difficult, there are circumstances that come our way—whether it is health, finances, conflict, death, any loss or grief, we are not always able to joyfully celebrate. Nor do we have to.

There are many other Psalms that show the darker side of questioning, hurt, pain, etc. 

If that is where we are, then so be it.

A Psalm like 67, during our difficult times, can remind us that there are times of joy and celebration, as well as giving thanks, even when we might not be able to bring ourselves to do it. 

Are we alone in our struggles?  Do you think Jesus understands?  When I wonder these things, I go to Gethsemane to see how Jesus responded there:

Matthew 26:36-39--³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” ³⁷ When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” ³⁹ Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”

Jesus was burdened, sad, anxious.  He wanted the cup of suffering taken away.  As he was on his face before God, he wasn’t in that moment joyful or giving thanks to God for the blessings, the harvest, or the salvation.  Jesus was struggling with the pain. 

On this 6^th Sunday of Easter, Psalm 67 is a reminder for us to continue to make a way to give thanks, to sing our praises to God, to celebrate, to have joy.  Yet, we do so recognizing that we are likely going through difficult times. We are even going through difficult times in the United Methodist Church, aren’t we?

“The message of this psalm is critical in a world full of injustices and divisions--- and in a church that often seeks to limit who is acceptable to God.” (Keeping Holy Time, Year C, 184)

We may argue that we limit who is acceptable to God, but if we are honest with ourselves and God, we are constantly setting limitations for God.  I wonder why it is so hard for us to love those whom God created?  Notice that I am using first person plural pronouns here, therefore including myself.  It continues to be an ongoing journey of learning and growth for me to love God’s creations.  There are so many people different from me—there are folks that speak different languages, folks that look different, think different, act different, eat different foods… some that are deaf, blind, use wheels to get around, some who …..

Is there any group of people that you were taught was different when you were little?  Any race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, learning difference? 

What happened when you made the time to get to know the person?  Did you learn that they were human, just like you? 

I did.  And, for that, I am thankful.  And I celebrate.  I still have a long way to go.  I still find racism and prejudices crop up in my life.  I still struggle to not be an “us vs. them” person. 

In the kin-dom of God, it’s “we”.  “We the people.”

And because of that, I can thank God.  I can celebrate.

As we open our hearts to the transforming love and grace of God, then we can join with the Psalmist in saying “Thank you, God”.

What are you thankful for today?  For whom are you thankful today?

Think about that for a moment.

As if you are talking one on one with God at this very moment, tell God something you are thankful for.  Outloud.

How does it feel to thank God outloud for something for which you are thankful?

Look around you.

Thank God for the people next to you and in this building.  Without them, you wouldn’t have a community of faith in which to worship, to grow in your discipleship, to serve, to help make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Do we tell each other thank you enough for showing up to worship?  For doing the hard work of discipleship in order to grow into the likeness of Christ?

It isn’t easy to be a disciple of Christ, to do things God’s way. 

If we thanked each other for being on this faith journey with us, maybe folks would feel more connected.

I am thankful for each of you here today and those who aren’t able to be here today.  You continue to help me grow in my journey as a follower of Christ.  Thank you for the opportunities to love, serve, and lead you as Christ has directed me over these past four years. 

As we continue to grow as individuals and as a community, may God bless us. 

Psalm 67 is a communal Psalm of Thanksgiving.  As such, let us close with the Prayer that we have already shared, reminding ourselves how we might live in response to God.  Let us read this time in unison the Psalm Prayer from re:worship:

God, mark us with grace and blessing!

Let our lives reflect your light and your goodness,

so that the way in which we live might bring others

to an awareness of your presence and your love.

Teach us to trust You with our whole heart,

and to praise You in every circumstance,

so that your grace and mercy might reach out through us

to the entire world.  Amen.

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Fort Oglethorpe Recorded Sermon

Simpson Recorded Sermon

Bamboo Encounter's first outdoor service-- May 25

Until today, Bamboo Encounter was alive only on Facebook in posts and in my heart, mind, soul, and dreams.  At the bottom of this post you can read the post from February where the "nudge" was becoming a reality. 

Bamboo Encounter is part of the Wild Church Network and is listed on their website.

Today the Bamboo Encounter became a reality, shared with others, as a total of 15 people gathered in the bamboo to worship God, our Creator.

On the 4th Saturday of the month, at 11:30 a.m. we gather  in the bamboo at Reflection Riding to worship by sharing Scripture, silence, Holy Communion, a song, etc. as the Holy Spirit moves.

Today's worship service looked like this: 

I wrote the opening prayer for today on May 4th.  

"Creator God, as we silence ourselves inside the covering of the bamboo, may we hear and see you.  We come today with differing expectations, with fears, with doubts, with questions, with hopes, with joys.  Meet us where we are, in this space. As the wind gently blows through the bamboo, may we know your presence among us.  Amen."

The scripture passages shared today:

1 Chronicles 16:33 (CEB)-- "Then the trees of the forest will shout out joyfully before the LORD, because he is coming to establish justice on earth!"

Psalm 96:12 (CEB)-- "Let the countryside and everything in it celebrate! Then all the trees of the forest too will shout out joyfully"

Two quotes were shared from the brochure--the John Wesley quote and the Wendell Berry quote:

After the Scriptures and the quotes, we took some time for silent reflection and to listen.  During that almost 5 minutes, we reflected on the bamboo around us-- sights and sounds and reflected on what spoke to us from what we had heard.  We also were asked to think about why we came outside to worship and what we were hoping to receive.

During our time of silent reflection, the breeze began to blow enough so that the bamboo began to clang against itself, making percussion sounds.

When our silent reflection time ended, those who desired to share, shared.  Though it is hard to put into words, it was an encouraging time of the body sharing with one another.  It filled my heart.

The communion passage was Luke 22:14-20.  We shared the bread and fruit of the vine together and then closed our time with one song and a benediction.

It isn't a long service, but for me, it was very refreshing.  From the first time I was in that bamboo, it spoke to me.  Being able to share that space with others and giving praise and glory to the Creator as we made time to be still and notice was a gift.

If you'd like to learn more about Bamboo Encounter, check out the Facebook page.

There are pictures from today, quotes on spirituality and nature, the full brochure, etc.  

If you are local and enjoy the outdoors, I hope you'll join us one of the 4th Saturdays in the bamboo.

Peace, 

Debra

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Previous post about Bamboo Encounter:

Bamboo Encounter-- a nudge is becoming a reality-- 2/7/19