Just this past Monday evening there were two meetings going on simultaneously at St. Luke. The Worship and Music Committee was in one room and the Social Ministry Committee was in another. Each was about their business. I had the opportunity to be in both meetings (no, not at the same time!)
In the Worship and Music Committee meeting, we discussed the probability of launching a monthly worship service to be held on a Sunday afternoon once a month at 4:00 PM. The point of this ministry would be reach out to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities along with their families and friends. There was a great deal of openness and excitement about this possibility. So, plans care to continue the conversation and work toward that goal. (Stay tuned for more details!)
Meanwhile, down the hall, the Social Ministry Committee was meeting to review the many and various ways the congregation participates in and supports ministries that take place in the community, region, and world. Again, there was a great deal of passion and excitement in the room. So, I shared with this committee what had just been discussed in the Worship and Music Committee meeting. It was encouraging to see the crossover in mission and the sharing of passion. In other words, it was one of those Holy Spirit moments when it was clear God is up to something in our midst! So, stay tuned and remember these committees and the work of the church council in your prayers. In the meantime, know that you are in my prayers, because we're in this together!
Rather than asking how we can help people with disabilities, Henri Nouwen teaches us, "The more important question is, how can people with disabilities give their spiritual gifts to us and call us to love?"
+ + +
SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION
Continuing . . . this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at 8:45 AM
Living Fully, Dying Well is an eight week session: How can you take the fear of death and turn it into something profound and positive? What is the alchemy that allows someone within a metaphorical desert to turn around and see a flower? Tina Staley, LCSW
Most of us try not thinking about death until the moment we come face to face with it. But when we have the courage to accept our inevitable mortality and contemplate it actively -- as a spiritual practice -- we open the door to living fully, joyfully, and in complete presence.
Living Fully, Dying Well is an investigation into the challenge each of us faces: to embrace all of life from the beginning to the end.
+ + +
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Prayer of the Day
O God, our eternal redeemer,
by the presence of your Spirit you renew and direct our hearts.
Keep always in our mind the end of all things and the day of judgment.
Inspire us for a holy life here,
and bring us to the joy of the resurrection,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Readings
Psalm 17:1–9
Job 19:23–27a
2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 13–17
Luke 20:27–38
* * *
No comments:
Post a Comment