Awe

"If there is one characteristic more than others that contemporary public worship needs
to recapture it is this awe before the surpassingly great and gracious God."
--Henry Sloane Coffin

Awe.  An emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.

Do you find "awe" when you think of God?  What is awe-inspiring about God, for you? 

Is it an emotion that we have forgotten how to experience?   Do we take too much effort to make God "soft, warm, and cuddly" - and forget about the wonders, the power, and the honor that make up God?

Take a moment this week - what evokes "awe" for you?  What about God evokes "awe" for you?

When we worship, and come into our holy space...  what would help remind us of the awe of God?

Roots and Wings

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
--Revelations 4:11

"It... behooves me to look at how the Holy Spirit has worked throughout the centuries in the church.  The hymns, liturgies and prayers that have come down to us since New Testament times and even earlier enrich me with words and music used by Christians in many times and places.

"It is important for us who are raising children in the Christian faith that we give them roots and wings.  They need to hear the ancient words of the creeds regularly, and they need to hear intercessory prayers for immediate concerns in our individual faith communities.  They need to sing liturgical words like those from the verse above to old and new tunes, and they need to sing songs that are newly written.  Kids need to know the rhythms of the church year festivals and the unique traditions their own faith communities and families have created.

"We as adults should try to wrap children in a rich array of ways to be in relationship with God so they will always have something to hang on to when the way gets tough."
--Valerie Hess, "Spiritual Disciplines Devotional"

That's been the reason I got into Youth Ministry to begin with - we all have rough times.  Days of darkness, drudge, and drear...  And we all need to know that God is with us in those moments.  That there is a community of believers that are on the journey with us.  That we are never alone.

It's important to convey this message to the next generations in whatever ways we can.  Whether you have kids or not, you can help these young people to know the love and nurture of a faith community - share your walk with them, acknowledge them and let them know that they are seen and heard and valued.

They belong in worship - they belong in God's house.  How can you help them to know that this week?

Always

"You have loved us first, O God, alas!  We speak of it in terms of history as if You have only loved us first but a single time, rather than without ceasing.  You have loved us first many times and every day and our whole life through.  When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You - You are the first - You have loved us first; if I rise at dawn and at the same second turn my soul toward You in prayer, You are there ahead of me, You have loved me first.  When I withdraw from the distractions of the day and turn my soul toward You, You are the first and thus forever.  And yet we always speak ungratefully as if You have loved us only once."
--Soren Kierkegaard

God is always there.  Always loving us.  How often do we turn to God?  And worship and love God?
Just a thought to ponder...

What to Wear...

"Many people dress more and more casually for Sunday morning worship.  They come in jeans and shorts because they like the more relaxed atmosphere this creates.  But on the other hand, I once heard someone say that by wearing a suit on Sunday morning, he was witnessing to his neighbors that he was going to church.

"I've thought about that comment over the years.  When I get dressed up for church in the casual town I live in, I am aware of the silent witness I am making about where I am going and how I feel about it.

"...Clothes can [also] affect our feelings about an event.  Maybe we are more open to God when we come casually to worship, like going to a friend's house.  Or maybe we take God's Word in our lives more seriously if we dress up, as for an important business meeting.

"The question really boils down to this: when we get dressed up to go to church, how are we preparing ourselves to go?  If God gave us the Sabbath as a sign of holiness, how are we responding to it?  It is a question we should not take lightly, but it is also a question each person should answer for themselves."
--Valerie Hess, "Spiritual Disciplines Devotional"

Interesting topic as we talk about worship - does it matter what we wear on Sunday?  I've always thought people should come as they are - whatever they are comfortable in.  We don't all have beautiful dresses and expensive suits.  Piercings, tattoos, and dyed hair can't always be hidden.  But God accepts us as his children anyway.

I wish I could wear jeans to church on Sundays - most of the time.  But I will say, I feel more "worshipful" and attentive when I am more dressed up.  I feel that worship is a special occasion and a holy experience when I come ready to celebrate.  And I do notice that people see you and treat you differently at the grocery stores or restaurants in those after-church hours.  People do notice.  I've never thought about that before...

So your challenge this week?  Take notice of what you wear to church.  Do you always wear jeans?  Try dressing up this week - see how it affects your worship experience.  Do you always dress to the nines?  What would happen if you toned it down a bit?  Would you be less able to focus on God?  Just curious.  I'd love to hear your comments!

Something More

"Have you ever been up late watching TV and felt drawn to the refrigerator?  You open the door and stare absently inside while the cold rushes out at your feet?  You don't know what will be satisfying, but finally pick out something to eat.  In a few minutes you are back in the kitchen to get something to drink, thinking that was what you wanted all along.  At last you are full - too full - and realize you weren't really hungry or thirsty after all.

"The first stage in the journey of spiritual growth is something like that.  But instead of the hunger being physical, it is a hunger of the heart.  Many people ignore this crucial moment of awakening because they do not understand what is happening to them.  It is a stage that can be both distressing and depressing because no matter what we do, our life just isn't what we once thought it was meant to be.  Confusion.  Unrest.  Dissatisfaction.  These are but three of the most common feelings at this time...

"Often the hunger of the heart is experienced as the desire to get something more out of life.  While there's nothing wrong with that, the hunger of the heart is really a reminder to bring something more into life.  That something more is an ongoing relationship with God and an ever-deepening faith."
--Ron DelBene

And a good place to start?  To begin to make an intentional choice toward God?  Worship.  Surrounding ourselves with people on the journey - each on their own journeys and willing to share - helps us to gather the courage and tools to take our next steps, too.

May your hungry heart be fed this week!

Sunday at SPUMC - Jan. 10, 2010

A cold day outside - but a warm and cozy day together in the body of Christ!

Education Hour started with some great discussions:
* The Children learned about making Jesus a priority in our lives! They were encouraged to take some time this week to read a few of their favorite scriptures and put Jesus first!
* The Confirmands discussed the beginnings of Jesus ministry. We thought about all the places we have been in the world - and the few places that Jesus had been, before he started his ministry... If we have such a bigger view of the world than Jesus did, at the time, what great things could we do to further his ministry today?
* Wired Word was led by Ryan this week and the discussion centered around the fact that no matter how good and faithful we are, we all are tempted at times to do wrong... We can continue in our faithful ways when we are surrounded by a community of faith and attend worship regularly.
* Bettie began her group discussing Caring Ministries and all the things we can do to care for each other and those in our community.

Worship was an introduction into the "where" and "how" we worship. We took a tour of the sanctuary and talked about the "gathering" pieces of worship. We gather as a community to share God's love in this holy space, we gather to hear one another's hurts and joys, to pray for one another and praise God through song and music. We also remembered that when we take moments to pray for our sins, they are moments of freedom to confess - knowing that our faith in God gives us the confidence that we are forgiven and loved, despite our mistakes.

Nancy did a great job as liturgist - even helping with our unusual scripture reading! The choir sounded great. Cathy led a wonderful children's sermon about the places we worship. And we sang many of your favorite hymns!

A great day - with God peeking around every corner!

Preparation

"When I worship, I would rather my heart be without words than my words be without heart."
--Lamar Boschman

How often do we come to worship, thinking of all the other places we could be, things we should be doing, errands to be running, meals to be cooking, meetings coming up this week...? How many times do we come to worship, too distracted to really focus on God?

Your challenge this week? Before you come to church, write down all the random "to-do" thoughts running through your head. Then, get to church 10 minutes early. Go sit in the sanctuary. Listen to the prelude. Quiet your mind. Spend some time in prayer and asking God to be at work in your heart and mind... and see what happens.

...Maybe, just maybe... you'll hear the words of the prayers, hymns, and scriptures in a whole new way... Maybe, God will feel closer... Maybe you'll find your heart opened and softened in a way that only full attention and worship can do!