How was church today?

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As a kid, growing up in the church, there were many times that church was actually FUN. We would laugh at some misadventure, or spin a tale after a near misadventure. It was fun because we felt loved and accepted, and very comfortable. Today...at age over 60!...I had the same kind of fun at church. I don't attend my own church much these days and I really miss it. Today...the sermon about love was great; good hymns and a friendly buzz of conversation before church. But I had lots of laughs (hope this doesn't offend anyone who thinks church needs to be serious all the time.) I just about missed our cue to stand up to sing our choir anthem. I had warned everyone that I might forget as I haven't sung with them since last May! They didn't believe that I would forget until they saw me in my blissful ignorance as the rest scrambled to get their music. Much frantic poking of my back and shoulder ensued. Then, during the offering, we didn't have an offering plate in the choir. Someone ducked into the back room and brought us a lovely wooden....tiny salad bowl! We tried to cram our collection envelopes into it (didn't work, they were all sticking out over the top); one choir member said: Oh, how cute!; and another grabbed the envelopes in frustration and brought them down to the regular collection plates. The whole thing struck me as so funny that I said to anyone who would listen: Let's get a different bowl each week from the kitchen. It will be a surprise! And...lets get one of those giant mixing bowls to make it look like the choir really gives a lot of collection, encouraging the congregation to follow suit. Anyway...the release of laughter, and not having to lead worship was just what I needed to day. Definitely...praise to God!
 
Don't be too cereus ... tis good for bloody bellei humour as contained in the psyche as related here:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’a]'>[a]A)' data-cr="#cen-NIV-23910A"> 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’b]'>[b]B)' data-cr="#cen-NIV-23912B"> 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”C)' data-cr="#cen-NIV-23913C">

Now does the psyche consider the neighbour when trying to unravel how it relates to heart, soul and mind? These a dark an fantastic areas ... zones that the Prophets of doom hand onto and do not share as it could be the death of you ... if you Die happy and laughing at your mistakes that the church charged you for ... without relief ...

Is the psyche as expansive ... kind 've out there? Even the Wester boys said that intellect was beyond children of love and emotions. Isn't that out there beyond us ... riven by spirits and emotions? You can almost see the vespers rising from the Great Pool ... O'Sean is that you ?

Le vatic Cuss ... as the Romans hated for the common people to be anything but serious and work hard to support them and the card in the hole ... an enigma to say least for those not clued in ... some variations expected as God likes variety ... man of power does not like baud el arious things ... unless he can control and possess it ... thus angels in Honkei states ... well blown?

his came as one time as Vaudeville .. naked or not the stern believed it evil ... common people were not to appear happy as the non confident sorts would take offense ... destruction of confidence? In France this was blown all out of acceptable proportions in some art forms ...
 
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Church today - through October we've been reading the lectionary suggestions from Exodus - the story of Moses leading the people from slavery in Egypt. We finished the story today with a reading, not from Exodus, but the final chapter of Deuteronomy - Moses' death just before crossing into the 'Promised' land.
Our minister reviewed the story of Moses and the people's developing relationship and understanding of God's providence. Now they are facing new life, new possibilities, new risks. And we as a congregation in the United Church of Canada are facing changes, new possibilities, and the risks involved. Where is God guiding us? How are we responding?
After the service we held a 'listening' time when we considered our plans for the next few years - and the long term. We are doing ok now; but we can't just stand still. Change will happen whether we participate intentionally or just sit back and let it happen around us.
 
I was glad to be back to my church after two weeks away. I was delighted, however, to have missed last weeks' service in favour of the one in Calgary, as it was one of my least favs - the biannual Memorial Hymn sing. None newer than 19th century, all of them paced as on a death march... This weeks' was pleasant though, plenty of old friends to greet, a couple of new faces in the choir which made me happy. Rev Susan took the message from Matthew, and reminded us that the message to love god and neighbour as self were not new. That combining the passages from Leviticus and Deuteronomy was also not new and she (re-) told the story of Rabbi Hillel and the whole of Torah told while standing on one leg. Before Jesus' time, as well. If there is any 'difference' between Jesus' teachings and the Jewish teachings of his own cultural religion, it may have been the wideness of the tent under which he believed were sheltered the people of G_d.
 
My best moment this morning was randomly opening the hymn book & seeing notations in the margin - starting with my daughter's name - she was singing the first verse as a solo, then joined by various others on the other verses. Made me smile. I flipped through the book - didn't see any other hymns with notations. So for me that was special.

Here's the hymn - most of you will recognize it - enjoy a peaceful moment.
 
Today was good. The pastor discussed several passages on forgiveness and forgiving. Preceded by the Lord's Prayer.

Good music today. A song stood out that I really like - covered by a resident singing duo with acoustic and an electric guitars this time.

It's worth a listen...
 
Today's sermon was by Rev. Sheena Trotter-Denis. It was about All Saints day and looking at who the saints have been our life journey. Most saints are regular folks and not the pious or religious. We were encouraged to daydream and think of saints we have met and who we may still meet in life. I thought of Harold Merrick an amazing man who made people feel welcome every Sunday at worship going around before the service chatting with folks. He also delivered food to shut-ins with Meals on Wheels, until he had to stop driving in his early 90's. Also, thought of a previous Minister Rev. Karen Holmes who had amazing preaching skills and was a great singer as well. Still remember some of Karen's sermons from many years ago. Also, thought of a couple of University Professors, Darlene Quaife and Donna Coates, who brought the subject matter alive with their knowledge and enthusiasm. Was good to be at worship today after a somewhat challenging week. A chance to relax and destress. :)
 
Good sermon and we sang a song I really liked as an anthem. My sister took a video of us, and we didn't sound quite as good as I thought we did! It won't make youtube. We had lots of sandwiches left over from our luncheon yesterday, so I threw on coffee and tea (with help from Pat, my partner in alto and various crimes), and we had lunch after church. It was a pretty full church today, and lots went downstairs for lunch and visiting. Very nice.
 
Yesterday I lead worship at a two point charge on the north-side of the river. The service in both churches started with a Remembrance ritual: reading of the 'Honour Roll', recorded bugle, O Canada. I was surprised at how touched I was by how this reading of names of people who died 100 years ago effected the congregation - especially at the small, rural church. As the names were read, so many with the same sir-names, I wondered if all the men in some families were killed, but the same sir-names were there in the list for WW2, and as I looked out the window at the graveyard I realized that those names were probably also represented on the gravestones, and probably some in the community today bear the same names.
I struggled to put the service together - something to honour the traditions of these two congregations yet reflect my understanding of Peace and our responsibility in a world that doesn't seem to learn that might doesn't make right, and force can't defeat force. I ended up speaking on ordinary people as heros and saints.
Not my best sermon, but the people thanked me and told me that they look forward to hearing me again next week.
 
I'm doing a Remembrance Day service next week at a church that is not a regular for me. I have been asking about traditions, but I don't feel solid in my approach. I have to admit, I am a little anxious about providing a meaningful and respectful message. My message is called: "The Middle Ground", but I end up by suggesting that, although in many instances the middle ground is the place of reasonable disagreement and understanding, as Christians we need to take sides; we need to be like the bridesmaids in the parable and be vigilant and prepared in our faith, rather than like the bridesmaids who ran out of oil for their lamps while awaiting the bridegroom's appearance. And taking sides doesn't need to be crazy extremism. Before I get to this point though, I talk about lots of versions of the middle ground, including the middle ground that became the Christmas truce in WWI, where two groups of enemies ended up communicating, playing soccer, singing carols, and exchanging gifts...realizing the common element of their humanity. I sure pray that this is the right message to give.
 
Pinga said:
Aware that I am lucky to be in a place where I don't worry about someone bringing a gun to church. (or people encouraging people to bring a gun to church).
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I'm guessing that the people in that Texan Baptist church in a small community felt the same way before Sunday.
 
If they did, with the gun violence around them, then I am surprised.
Guns are a significantly different part of the culture in the US
 
A lot of places in Texas have "no guns" policies, though, so I imagine some churches do, too. That was my first "I'm in Texas" moment when I went to Houston for a conference: The "no guns" sign over the bar in the Italian restaurant where I ate first night.
 
Hey, I'm used to that sign as I go into the office at work. Guns are in the parking garage, just not allowed in the office.
 
Yup, and I recognize that i took this thread off topic.

So, how was church on Sunday.
The congregation has a new minister of music. He is a talented jazz pianist. He also is a good person, and the choral groups enjoy his presence. Makes a difference.

Services have been about generosity, with a focus on time and talent, not just treasures.
 
Pinga said:
He is a talented jazz pianist.
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The UU fellowship's music coordinator (or whatever we were calling it back then) at the time I joined came from a jazz/pop/fusion background (I even used to have one of his albums, one of the ones that vanished when I lost my CD bag). He did some incredible stuff both in services and for church events. Even had a jazz quartet play for services occasionally. Lost him to the Unity church (haven't checked to see if he's still there).
 
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