The presentation and discussion will be the third in a series of four on the subject Mission and Worship. Whether you have been present for the first two or not, you are certainly welcome to attend this Sunday. I suspect the topic will be of some interest to everyone as we look to the future of our worship life as a congregation.
I didn’t get anything out of worship this week. Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? Have you ever felt that way too? Let’s examine together what our primary purpose is when we assemble for the weekly gathering around Word and Sacrament. Is it appropriate to think of worship as a two-way street? Does God have an ulterior motive behind calling us together? Do we have any ulterior motives?
If each of us took a moment to write down an explanation or definition of worship, we would have a variety of answers and responses. While there is no doubt great diversity in perspective, I suspect there would also be common ground upon which we could all stand.
I find it interesting to note the differences in images found when I do an internet image search for worship and then liturgical worship. The first search returns results such as the following:
The latter search provides results similar to these:
What comparisons and observations do you make of this?
Keeping the broader picture in mind -- that of worship's relationship to mission -- I am anticipating a lively and thought provoking exchange as we gather together this Sunday at 8:45.
Looking ahead a bit, we can begin to anticipate the culmination of the season of Lent as Holy Week draws close and we look to the The Great Three Days. Lent is often descried as a journey with Jesus into the wilderness, into ministry, into Jerusalem, and onto the cross. We have been on this path, leading us to Holy Week and the Great Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Vigil of Easter (These three days are also referred to as the Paschal Triduum).
Our Maundy Thursday service will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 PM. A Good Friday afternoon meditation on the Way of the Cross will be held here at 12:00 Noon. In the evening, there will be a Good Friday Service at Scotland United Methodist Church at 7:00 PM.
New to our congregation this year will be the observance of the Vigil of Easter. This will be an ecumenical effort with our full-communion partners of the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. In addition to Pastor Bruce Gowe from the Scotland-Fayetteville Charge of the UMC, we will also welcome the Deacon of Trinity Episcopal Church in Chambersburg and the District Superintendent of the UMC. The Vigil will be hosted here at St. Luke on Saturday, April 15 at 9:00 PM. We are anticipating several baptisms to be celebrated that evening as well. This is the night!
Here are some other items of which you should be aware:
Groundbreaking Announcement: The 2020 Vision building project will commence with a ceremonial groundbreaking immediately following worship on Palm/Passion Sunday, April 9. At the conclusion of the closing hymn we will be invited to gather outside near the bell and memorial garden for the brief rite of groundbreaking. Please plan to be present for this important milestone in the life of the congregation.
Construction to Begin: Barring any last minute snags, R. S. Mowery Construction will begin work on our project on Monday, April 17, the day after Easter Sunday. As work begins, please continue to check for updates on the website, Facebook, and bulletin announcements. Every effort will be made to communicate developments and progress.
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