There was a sense of symmetry in Sunday's service. Like most times we gather for worship we enjoyed a variety of more contemporary and traditional musical styles, heard the reading of scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments, and were led in worship by both men and women, younger and older. But there was something more than that this week.
Early in the service we shared in a time of dedication for Jimmy and Julie Whitfield and their infant daughter, Emma (with big sister Lily along for support). We made promises as church and parents to love and encourage this new life towards God's future for her.
Later in the service we heard a powerful word of testimony from Collin Ross about his winter break mission experience in Haiti. I was touched by both what Collin had to say and how he said it. Now a college junior, Collin was a toddler when he and his family became a part of the Towne View family.
Between preschool and UGA there have been extended session volunteers, Sunday School teachers, Mission Friends leaders, choir workers, youth ministers, retreat chaperons, Vacation Bible School workers, and parents and grandparents who have encouraged him in his faith journey. Along the way he was given opportunities to discover his gifts and develop his skills in becoming a servant-leader.
Collin concluded his remarks with an expression of gratitude for a church family that encouraged his desire to want to do something like this mission trip. I am already looking forward to the story that one day Emma might have to share!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
deacons to Deacons
Sunday was a good day for our church as we ordained three new deacons. We don't do many hour and a half long services here so things may have felt a bit rushed towards the end. I hope you will indulge me the opportunity to reflect on some things I said during the service.
The act of ordination says something about those being ordained to the ministry of deacon. The act of ordination says that we see in them a depth of faith, sincerity of spirit, giftedness for service, and desire to minister that sets them apart as deacons.
The ordination of Matt, Hyacinth, and John also says something about our church. These three and their families came to us through neighborhood contact, the invitation/insistence of a friend, and the recommendation of a friend-of-a-friend. They represent the diversity of our church: black and white, male and female, new members and long-term investors in our ministry. As I watched the long line of folks pass by to bless them through the laying-on-of-hands I saw men and women, mothers, children, wives, brothers,friends,folks from the four corners of the globe called to this place to be church for one another.
Ultimately the service said something about God. We serve a God who gifts His children for service and the empowers us to use those gifts in service to the church and community. These gifts, and the responsibilities that accompany them, aren't just for the elite or extraordinary but for folks like Matt and Hyacinth and John and you and me.
My closing thoughts for the service came from 1Corinthians 1:1-9
** God has given us grace
**God has enriched us, gifted us, for service
**God will strengthen us as we serve
**God is faithful!
The act of ordination says something about those being ordained to the ministry of deacon. The act of ordination says that we see in them a depth of faith, sincerity of spirit, giftedness for service, and desire to minister that sets them apart as deacons.
The ordination of Matt, Hyacinth, and John also says something about our church. These three and their families came to us through neighborhood contact, the invitation/insistence of a friend, and the recommendation of a friend-of-a-friend. They represent the diversity of our church: black and white, male and female, new members and long-term investors in our ministry. As I watched the long line of folks pass by to bless them through the laying-on-of-hands I saw men and women, mothers, children, wives, brothers,friends,folks from the four corners of the globe called to this place to be church for one another.
Ultimately the service said something about God. We serve a God who gifts His children for service and the empowers us to use those gifts in service to the church and community. These gifts, and the responsibilities that accompany them, aren't just for the elite or extraordinary but for folks like Matt and Hyacinth and John and you and me.
My closing thoughts for the service came from 1Corinthians 1:1-9
** God has given us grace
**God has enriched us, gifted us, for service
**God will strengthen us as we serve
**God is faithful!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Let it snow!
Reactions to our wintry weather have been varied... and interesting:
Sunday afternoon on my way home from church I snatched the last gallon of milk off the shelf.. not feeling guilty at all!
One of Thomas' room mates, a Chicago native, snarled "what are all these people so hyped about- it's just a little snow!"
Monday morning a neighbor walked about a mile to get a newspaper- only to find the convenience store closed!
By Tuesday afternoon another neighbor walked even further to get to out of her house (I mean to get to a coffee shop).
Wednesday night I realized that being at church on Wednesdays does not cause me to miss-out on any good television shows.
On the way into the office Thursday morning the radio news guy informed us that orthopedic surgeons are busy this week and obstetricians expect to be booming in early October!
The cardinals outside my window are beautiful but I wonder--- when are the robins coming?
Sunday afternoon on my way home from church I snatched the last gallon of milk off the shelf.. not feeling guilty at all!
One of Thomas' room mates, a Chicago native, snarled "what are all these people so hyped about- it's just a little snow!"
Monday morning a neighbor walked about a mile to get a newspaper- only to find the convenience store closed!
By Tuesday afternoon another neighbor walked even further to get to out of her house (I mean to get to a coffee shop).
Wednesday night I realized that being at church on Wednesdays does not cause me to miss-out on any good television shows.
On the way into the office Thursday morning the radio news guy informed us that orthopedic surgeons are busy this week and obstetricians expect to be booming in early October!
The cardinals outside my window are beautiful but I wonder--- when are the robins coming?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Ideas for a New Year
I have never been a big fan of making new year's resolutions. I wonder if that's because I haven't been very good at keeping them...
Instead, allow me to throw-out some ideas for spiritual health for the new year:
Daily- take time to read your Bible and pray. There are an abundance of daily devotional guides available at bookstores or even on-line if you prefer an electronic format. We used to call them "quiet times-" it's amazing what a few moments of talking and listening with God can mean for your day.
Weekly- make a commitment to small group Bible study- we call it Sunday School! You can read the material for that week's study, pray for your class leaders, and call an absentee to enrich your experience and strengthen your class.
Monthly- plan an activity to build a relationship. You can make it a lunch or coffee meeting, have a couple over for dinner or go to a movie, be creative! The idea is to be intentional about building or strengthening the relationship-- which opens the door for future ministry opportunities.
Quarterly- do something for someone else! Make a visit, help a neighbor, call the shut-in, share the meal, you get the idea: invest your resources (most importantly TIME)in someone else. Double the pleasure-- take your child or grandchild with you!
Annually- get involved in a mission activity. Take a morning, a day or a week and share yourself with others in the name of Christ. Our church will be providing a wide variety of opportunities for mission involvement this year- find one that's a good fit for your interests and schedule-- or even stretch yourself!
Wishing you a blessed 2011!
Instead, allow me to throw-out some ideas for spiritual health for the new year:
Daily- take time to read your Bible and pray. There are an abundance of daily devotional guides available at bookstores or even on-line if you prefer an electronic format. We used to call them "quiet times-" it's amazing what a few moments of talking and listening with God can mean for your day.
Weekly- make a commitment to small group Bible study- we call it Sunday School! You can read the material for that week's study, pray for your class leaders, and call an absentee to enrich your experience and strengthen your class.
Monthly- plan an activity to build a relationship. You can make it a lunch or coffee meeting, have a couple over for dinner or go to a movie, be creative! The idea is to be intentional about building or strengthening the relationship-- which opens the door for future ministry opportunities.
Quarterly- do something for someone else! Make a visit, help a neighbor, call the shut-in, share the meal, you get the idea: invest your resources (most importantly TIME)in someone else. Double the pleasure-- take your child or grandchild with you!
Annually- get involved in a mission activity. Take a morning, a day or a week and share yourself with others in the name of Christ. Our church will be providing a wide variety of opportunities for mission involvement this year- find one that's a good fit for your interests and schedule-- or even stretch yourself!
Wishing you a blessed 2011!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
God With Us
I have said many times over the years that my favorite name for Jesus is "Emmanuel- God with us." In this simple title we found the depths of the meaning of Christmas.
My family has certainly experienced this reality as we have dealt with the tragic death of my nephew, Kyle Conrad. My brother and his wife and daughters, my parents, and our part of the clan have been sustained by God's loving care and supported by the prayers, comfort, and love and so many. In times of crisis we experience "God with skin-on" through the presence of others.
Below is a portion of the prayer that I offered at the Sunday celebration service:
Wonderful Counselor, we look to you for direction as we step into a new and different future.
Mighty God, we prayer for strength as we carry our grief and bear one another's burdens.
Everlasting Father, we claim the gift of hope-- confident of your love and that by faith death does not have the last word.
Prince of Peace, bring wholeness to mend our brokenness, joy to overcome our sorrow, and comfort to our weary souls.
Through Christ our Lord... Emmanuel. Amen.
My family has certainly experienced this reality as we have dealt with the tragic death of my nephew, Kyle Conrad. My brother and his wife and daughters, my parents, and our part of the clan have been sustained by God's loving care and supported by the prayers, comfort, and love and so many. In times of crisis we experience "God with skin-on" through the presence of others.
Below is a portion of the prayer that I offered at the Sunday celebration service:
Wonderful Counselor, we look to you for direction as we step into a new and different future.
Mighty God, we prayer for strength as we carry our grief and bear one another's burdens.
Everlasting Father, we claim the gift of hope-- confident of your love and that by faith death does not have the last word.
Prince of Peace, bring wholeness to mend our brokenness, joy to overcome our sorrow, and comfort to our weary souls.
Through Christ our Lord... Emmanuel. Amen.
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