How was church today?

[Waterfall]

This was the first Sunday that we changed to two services on Sunday from now on. Now a 9:30 and 11 service. Ist service had 360 people and the second was 310. We had the sign ups for small groups after the service, which covered everything from bowling, knitting, hockey, board games, prayer groups, bible studies, Mom's club, etc.....I signed up for the over 50's group (even though the gentlemen assured me I was too young) and a Bible discussion on Proverbs....

Sermon was mostly about what the church has achieved in the last five years and what the goals are for the next 5 years....I was impressed with the list.....we shall see if it can be done.

 

[Mendalla]

if he hadn't hawked his ministry's magazines, books, and DVDs.

Wants to be the next Copeland, does he?

 

[Jaebius]

Wants to be the next Copeland, does he?

I don't feel so. He doesn't own his ministry, and he didn't call for donations toward a private jet. The car he drove to the church in did not look new and overly-luxurious.

 

[Mendalla]

I don't feel so. He doesn't own his ministry, and he didn't call for donations toward a private jet. The car he drove to the church in did not look new and overly-luxurious.

I wasn't being serious, just having fun riffing on the thread about Copeland's jet.

We have had people sell stuff after church but it has usually been musicians selling their CDs and local indie musicians ain't getting rich off their CDs.

 

[Jaebius]

I wasn't being serious, just having fun riffing on the thread about Copeland's jet.

Got that.

We have had people sell stuff after church but it has usually been musicians selling their CDs and local indie musicians ain't getting rich off their CDs.

I feel that would be better. This just felt weird to me, I guess because his speech was in lieu of the sermon.

 

[KayTheCurler]

What is solid prayer??

Isn't it the type of prayer that some Christians hit you over the head with?

 

[crazyheart]

@Jae, have you an example of solid prayer?

 

[Jaebius]

Isn't it the type of prayer that some Christians hit you over the head with?

That isn't how I use the term.

 

[Jaebius]

@Jae, have you an example of solid prayer?

Not of the kind I was speaking of crazyheart. It's heartfelt spontaneous prayer.

 

[Seeler]

In the church where I was leading worship, someone got up during announcements and asked for prayers for someone in the community mentioning that she was having a hard time. From the nods and murmurs I sensed that the congregation all knew her and had an idea of what her problems might be, so I didn't ask questions. During the 'prayers of the people' I allowed for a time of silent prayer for people to pray for 'those known to themselves and to God'. I think that would be solid prayer. We followed with the Lord's Prayer.

 

[Nancy]

I understand what Jae says about clichés in prayers....I know I'm a little guilty. I find public prayer a bit of a challenge...trying to pray to be as inclusive and encompassing as possible. Private prayer is more my thing. I like leaving a space for silent prayer, and will do that on occasion, always letting the congregation know at the outset so they are ready for that silent space.

 

[You just never know]

Today's sermon was on the value of doubt. No doubt some good points were made by the Rev., but today was one of those days when my mind wandered and did a lot of daydreaming. The sun was hitting a stain glass window so the water in a stream was dancing. Maybe next week will be more focused or maybe not....

 

[Luce NDs]

Isn't it the type of prayer that some Christians hit you over the head with?

Like missals? That flying third in the night making forth ...

 

[Luce NDs]

In the church where I was leading worship, someone got up during announcements and asked for prayers for someone in the community mentioning that she was having a hard time. From the nods and murmurs I sensed that the congregation all knew her and had an idea of what her problems might be, so I didn't ask questions. During the 'prayers of the people' I allowed for a time of silent prayer for people to pray for 'those known to themselves and to God'. I think that would be solid prayer. We followed with the Lord's Prayer.

Allows an opening ... for those too emotionally bound ... they have no respect for mindful voids to work another (alternate) in there ... doesn't that trump AL?

 

[Luce NDs]

Today's sermon was on the value of doubt. No doubt some good points were made by the Rev., but today was one of those days when my mind wandered and did a lot of daydreaming. The sun was hitting a stain glass window so the water in a stream was dancing. Maybe next week will be more focused or maybe not....

In determined enlightenment doubt is out and thus Thomas' Shadow is out ... and this too is perceived as jet black! Like an aircraft with po' lie tuned motors ...

 

[BetteTheRed]

We had a potluck lunch today. My team was in charge of set-up,take down. Small team, many people away/sick. Amazing how the holes just got filled in.

Talked about Jonah today. Never thought of Jonah as an odd almost-anagram of Noah before.

 

[Jaebius]

We had a potluck lunch today. My team was in charge of set-up,take down. Small team, many people away/sick. Amazing how the holes just got filled in.

Talked about Jonah today. Never thought of Jonah as an odd almost-anagram of Noah before.

Hmm... we're running one week behind you. Our monthly "fellowship lunch" is next week, and our reading for this week is Jonah. Also, our pastor will preach from Jonah this coming Sunday morning.

 

[Luce NDs]

We had a potluck lunch today. My team was in charge of set-up,take down. Small team, many people away/sick. Amazing how the holes just got filled in.

Talked about Jonah today. Never thought of Jonah as an odd almost-anagram of Noah before.

Tis a Wahl of a tale ... and related to Danish fish oil! Devilishly expensive ... still only a big fish to those that can't see the evolution in the myth ... tis mostly unconscious ...

 

[Mendalla]

Hey, I actually went to church today. The UU fellowship in fact. Service topic was Servant Leadership and I was bit leery. After taking a 7 course leadership certificate for work (employer is paying) over the past two years, I'm a bit burned out on leadership theory. But the minister did a good job of explaining his take on it from his personal experience (he was a manager for Coles during the period when they were taken over and merged with Smith's to form Chapters) and from both secular and spiritual sources (yes, a UU sermon that talked at length about a passage from the Gospels). They actually used a hymn from Singing the Journey, the add-on to our hymn book that has been rarely used save by the choir. Sadly, some of the old-timers didn't join in but the young couple sitting with me, who are newcomers, sang it quite well (I shared my book with them since there weren't enough of the new book out) and I contributed as best I could with my hapless singing voice.

Afterwards, as you might expect with me being gone so long, there was a lot of catching up with various friends as well as a quick chat with the minister (I've only been once since he stepped in as our current part-time contract minister). Also met and talked at length with a older (than me) gentleman who had left before I joined and recently came back during my absence so that we've never really crossed paths before, and also new member who is a grad student at Western and is gender fluid. Sadly, I also learned that a charter member who served on the communications committee with me years ago passed away recently.

 

[Mendalla]

Oh, the Bible passage discussed, was Mark 10:35-45 with emphasis on 42-45.