September 4, 2019
Dear Community!
As we approach Welcoming Sunday (this coming Sunday!), we are reminded that worship is the heart of the Church. For many visitors, worship is the first “event” they experience with our congregation. Worship is a public act; it “incarnates” the life of Community.
The apostle Paul describes Christian social practice with these words: “I appeal to you therefore, sisters and brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your logical service.” (Romans 12:1). In this short verse, Paul pleads with us to be desirable to God. And how? By being many different bodies (“present your bodies as”) and, simultaneously, one body (“a living sacrifice”). As it turns out, becoming both plural and singular, a living body to God, is logical; it is our logical service.
In worship, we practice being logical. In our service, we sit together as many different bodies and, simultaneously, as one body. In our service, we practice mutual listening and speaking, giving and receiving—and we even practice patience and self-control, as not every part of the service speaks to every, single person. In the coming months, you might notice a few changes in worship and to the bulletin. We welcome your feedback as we playfully work at creating opportunities that harmonize individual needs and talents with communal connection and solidarity—as we work, in other words, to support Community.
This coming Sunday we can support Community by sharing food during the luncheon following the worship service! Our luncheon will be a true potluck, meaning we will eat what we bring. What will you bring to share?
We look forward to entering into a Season of Welcome with you this Sunday!
Peace,
Pastors Carol and Tony
and the Welcoming and Fellowship Ministry
Dear Community!
The apostle Paul describes Christian social practice with these words: “I appeal to you therefore, sisters and brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your logical service.” (Romans 12:1). In this short verse, Paul pleads with us to be desirable to God. And how? By being many different bodies (“present your bodies as”) and, simultaneously, one body (“a living sacrifice”). As it turns out, becoming both plural and singular, a living body to God, is logical; it is our logical service.In worship, we practice being logical. In our service, we sit together as many different bodies and, simultaneously, as one body. In our service, we practice mutual listening and speaking, giving and receiving—and we even practice patience and self-control, as not every part of the service speaks to every, single person. In the coming months, you might notice a few changes in worship and to the bulletin. We welcome your feedback as we playfully work at creating opportunities that harmonize individual needs and talents with communal connection and solidarity—as we work, in other words, to support Community.
This coming Sunday we can support Community by sharing food during the luncheon following the worship service! Our luncheon will be a true potluck, meaning we will eat what we bring. What will you bring to share?
We look forward to entering into a Season of Welcome with you this Sunday!
Peace,
Pastors Carol and Tony
and the Welcoming and Fellowship Ministry