sunday, march 2, 2008
March 2, 2008 by decaturfbc
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!! Sometimes I drive me crazy. We had a neat service planned today. I knew time would be an issue, but rather than plan correctly, I rushed my message in a way that left me feeling like I hadn’t communicated at all. I felt like I missed an opportunity to dig into an amazing passage, I undertold my stories, did not tie things together well, and totally messed up John Perkins “marks of an authentic church” (which is worthy of looking at again). Oh well, there is always next week.
The service itself was really good.
I was pleased that so many folks chose to wear clothes cheering on their favorite baseball teams. It helped create the opening day spirit I was hoping for. Mike’s work on the organ with the vamp (the familiar music heard in ball parks when rallies are needed) and “Take me out to the ball game” helped create a festive mood.
RuthAnn’s clever children’s sermon about playing softball was a homerun (not that she could hit one).
My biggest concern today was how to do the baseball theme with the sacredness of communion. So we basically split the service, creating a solemn beginning (thank you choir for a wonderfully worshipful song) for communion, and then amping up the rest of the service. I thought it worked really well.
A special thanks to Margee for her song during the offertory. It was a wonderful piece that allowed me to just relax, sit back, and worship.
Just a word of thanks to our media folks working hard in the room through the back window. We couldn’t get it done without Adam, Bob, and Barb back there. Thank you so much.
I am looking forward to your comments!
I thought the service ran smooth, and was one that appeared to reach “us” the congregation with the intended meaning. At least for me, I thought the picture being painted that all of us, with many unique backgrounds and differences can all come together in Christ. A lot of times this message is overlooked. What better opportunity to nail that idea home than with the act of communion. The message that “He loves us all,” no matter what we look like, what our finacial status, our age, etc. We are all one in Christ through His sacrifice.
Oh yeah… I almost forgot Go Cards……………..
The Stukins clan wishes it could have been there, but were were in LA at the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. Talk about raising the roof and blessing your socks off. We were kickin it Gospel style. It was an amazing time. Like a typical baptist I went back to the buffet table multiple times. We missed not being at the service though. I cant wait to get a CD of it.
Peace, and yes go Cards!
j.p.,
thanks for the encouraging words.
by the way, while i may respect the cardinals organization, it seems that the cubs’ winning of the world series in this, the 100th anniversary of their last world series victory, is an effort we should all get behind. go cubbies!!
I have to admit I saw you checking your watch when the sermon started and was hoping you would not hurry. I think on Communion Sunday, you should just plan on the service lasting a little longer. The Sunday School teachers can plan for that.
It is exciting to see what we will become as we grow more diverse (and authentic)….perhaps a little scary….but when you look back at the example Jesus set, he ministered to such a wide variety of people. How did we ever get (as the church universal) so divided into “churches of clones”…..and how did we get so far away from the service we are called to perform for others?
By the way….not a baseball fan, so can’t participate in the cards/cubs debate, but sad that Brett Favre decided to retire - the game will not be the same without him!
I like the writings of James, because his basic premise is to put our faith into action. What good are we to God if all we do is read the Bible, come to worship on Sunday, go to Bible studies, etc. but never apply what we have learned. The message Sunday and for this week, calls for us to serve others in this broken world. God has recently placed me in a situation (out of my comfort zone) where I have been in conflict with my tendency to be judgemental versus serving others as God’s Word calls us to do. This morning I was rereading James 2:14-17 and my eyes caught the last part of verse 13….”mercy triumphs over judgment”. How can I not show mercy to someone else when God showed mercy (Grace) to ME by sending His Son to die for ME and because of this will not judge ME when I stand before Him. Today’s day 40 lesson from Isaiah instructs us to also serve others with the result being that we who are serving will grow stronger in our faith and He will guide us and give us strength and satisfaction. Not only does serving others benefit those being served, but it is also beneficial to the servant. This week, I have experienced God working and am thankful that I decided to join Him in that work.