This past Sunday we worshipped at the St. Stephen's www.ststephenlutheran.org 10:45 contemporary worship service. This is the first contemporary service that Ryan and I have attended together on this journey. It turns out as a discussion point, we really like both contemporary and traditional. As we entered into St. Stephen's we were in the door just a second when we were greeted by a Peter Larsen. He welcomed us joyfully and directed us in. We entered into the sanctuary and saw that they had a projection screen for the words for worship. I have not worshipped with a screen for sometime and found that I really liked it. I mostly liked it because it got me looking up. I was able to see that the paramounts said 'Feed them' and spend more time looking at the people, rather than my bulletin, hymnal, and Bible. It was like when you go on a good strenuous mountain hike and find that you've spent most of the time looking at the ground so you don't fall that you have to be conscious that you look up and see the view or you could miss it.
Sawyer got a preschool play bag and again we were welcomed by the people around us. The music was well done and I believe the singers had fun singing it. I know, like, and respect Pastor LeAnn who is at St. Stephens, but I didn't know that she was off this weekend. So who comes up during the processional, Pastor Diana Sickles and Pastor Fritz Wehrenberg. Here's the fun part (now I don't believe in coincidences) Pastor Diana and I worked together at Faith for 3+ years and Pastor Fritz is one of my best friends from college's dad. Small, tiny, Lutheran world. We enjoyed the music and how Pastor Fritz read from the world almost theatrically. The Gospel was on the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. He challenged us to think of who we are in this story. Most would say that they are the repentant sinner tax collector, but often we're the Pharisee. There was no communion at this service. I would of liked to see how they did it. But we certainly felt welcomed and it was good to hug Diana. They are in a call process for a new Associate Pastor, I'm excited to see what that brings for St. Stephens.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
10/17/10 - St. John's Lutheran Church
On the morning of the 17th we ran to Drake University to pick Chase up from Reggie's Sleepout event supporting Iowa Homeless Youth Center www.reggiessleepout.org. Chase raised funds to support the center by sleeping in a cardboard box that night. Then as mean parents we put him back in the car with the other kids and headed downtown to St. John's Lutheran. I love that on the side of the building is written, "In the city for good". It's a reminder of their purpose right as you come in. www.stjohnsdsm.org. We were welcomed before we hit the entrance door and in the parking lot by others entering church. That was a neat feeling.
Ryan admired the architecture of this old building and commented on different features of it as we entered. It turns out we sat right behind Denise Corron (who's married name escapes me right now). So now, 2 seconds to a familiar face. If you've been reading this blog, that is a common theme. We really enjoyed worshipping in the full sanctuary with people of all ages. The music and liturgy were familiar. Pastor Rachel began with announcements and stories of people stopping her on the street before they ran the Des Moines Marathon asking for her prayers. The theme for her sermon was 'Believe Out Loud' which is something I can see that St. John's takes seriously. It's mission and advocacy in the world. She challenged all in the congregation to committing to pray for St. John's daily as a part of their stewardship and their 'believing out loud.' She asked members to place their name into a pitcher as they came up for communion if they were committed to doing this. The children's choir sung from the loft like little angels, I wished that I could see them from where I was sitting. We went for communion and Sawyer had trouble with kneeling on the kneelers, which are clearly made for bigger people receiving communion. However, he was able to receive communion.
As we were walking out of the church, Chase noticed someone else with a Reggie's Sleepout Tshirt and they commiserated in their exhaustion and mean parents :). We talked to Pastor Bob, who I had attended First Call Theological Education with. Then we were able to see the Schrof family, who's son I had in confirmation, and George Noble, the surgeon who operated on Sawyer an hour after his birth. It was amazing how quickly the connections were. We went down for donut time (Sawyer's favorite time) and there were many gathered for fellowship. We truly enjoyed this worship service and felt that community was an important part of St. John's.
Ryan admired the architecture of this old building and commented on different features of it as we entered. It turns out we sat right behind Denise Corron (who's married name escapes me right now). So now, 2 seconds to a familiar face. If you've been reading this blog, that is a common theme. We really enjoyed worshipping in the full sanctuary with people of all ages. The music and liturgy were familiar. Pastor Rachel began with announcements and stories of people stopping her on the street before they ran the Des Moines Marathon asking for her prayers. The theme for her sermon was 'Believe Out Loud' which is something I can see that St. John's takes seriously. It's mission and advocacy in the world. She challenged all in the congregation to committing to pray for St. John's daily as a part of their stewardship and their 'believing out loud.' She asked members to place their name into a pitcher as they came up for communion if they were committed to doing this. The children's choir sung from the loft like little angels, I wished that I could see them from where I was sitting. We went for communion and Sawyer had trouble with kneeling on the kneelers, which are clearly made for bigger people receiving communion. However, he was able to receive communion.
As we were walking out of the church, Chase noticed someone else with a Reggie's Sleepout Tshirt and they commiserated in their exhaustion and mean parents :). We talked to Pastor Bob, who I had attended First Call Theological Education with. Then we were able to see the Schrof family, who's son I had in confirmation, and George Noble, the surgeon who operated on Sawyer an hour after his birth. It was amazing how quickly the connections were. We went down for donut time (Sawyer's favorite time) and there were many gathered for fellowship. We truly enjoyed this worship service and felt that community was an important part of St. John's.
Sunday 10/10/10
This Sunday Ryan and I were in Asheville, NC for a friend's wedding. We had the very cool opportunity to attend The Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal Church www.allsoulscathedral.org. This church was built in 1896 funded by George Vanderbuilt. The whole thing is original, glass, pews, flooring. It's really incredible to look at, you can just feel the years and years of prayers in this building. The wedding was at noon so we went to the 7:45 a.m. worship service. Since it's in a beautiful area of North Carolina and an old building all of their fellowship announcements and sign ups and things were outside of the church building in the outside entrance way. I thought this was symbolic because it's all those things that connect you with the world outside the church building. Being the earliest service there was no music at this service, which was really different for Ryan and I (being Lutheran). It was also different because we were carrying no children to worship.
The service mirrored the Lutheran liturgy as we would expect, however the Confession and Forgiveness came after the sermon and prayers. I'd be interested to find out how it got to its different points in the worship service. The sermon was given by Lauren Winner, professor at Duke Divinity school and author of Girl Meets God. She preached on the exile text in Jeremiah 29. She first talked about how it's easy for us to connect with the Israelite, but sometimes we may be the Babylonians. Then God used her to hit Ryan and I straight in the heart. She talked about metaphorical exiles. She named infertility as one of those. Ryan and I experienced our fourth miscarriage on August 30th. The fact that it was mentioned by name caused Ryan and I to turn to each other, grasp hands, and drop tears. Next she reminded us of God's promise to care for us, even when we're in exile. We needed to hear that.
We had communion, which was interesting in the quiet, and really, very nice. And we left in silence. It was a very reflective, meditative service. I enjoyed it. Ryan and I laughed as we walked back to our hotel knowing that God is messing with us down to our very core. It's comforting to know that God is working in the tough situations and nice that He is clearly making it known to us. It's also aggravating, because of my very nature that would like to have the answers right now. I know that's not possible, so until those answers reveal itself, I will remain renewed in the promise.
The service mirrored the Lutheran liturgy as we would expect, however the Confession and Forgiveness came after the sermon and prayers. I'd be interested to find out how it got to its different points in the worship service. The sermon was given by Lauren Winner, professor at Duke Divinity school and author of Girl Meets God. She preached on the exile text in Jeremiah 29. She first talked about how it's easy for us to connect with the Israelite, but sometimes we may be the Babylonians. Then God used her to hit Ryan and I straight in the heart. She talked about metaphorical exiles. She named infertility as one of those. Ryan and I experienced our fourth miscarriage on August 30th. The fact that it was mentioned by name caused Ryan and I to turn to each other, grasp hands, and drop tears. Next she reminded us of God's promise to care for us, even when we're in exile. We needed to hear that.
We had communion, which was interesting in the quiet, and really, very nice. And we left in silence. It was a very reflective, meditative service. I enjoyed it. Ryan and I laughed as we walked back to our hotel knowing that God is messing with us down to our very core. It's comforting to know that God is working in the tough situations and nice that He is clearly making it known to us. It's also aggravating, because of my very nature that would like to have the answers right now. I know that's not possible, so until those answers reveal itself, I will remain renewed in the promise.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A little girls lament
Last night Mackenzie, our 9 year old, went to Awanas with a friend at Valley Church. She had a wonderful time, but came home lamenting. As a concerned mom, I sought to find out why. She told me how much she missed Faith. She felt at home there, it was all she had ever known, all her friends were there and that is where she wanted to worship God. She was fine with sharing her mother on nights and weekends if she would still get to be there in her community. The mother's guilt I'm experiencing is similar to what I felt when I got divorced. Although I knew it was the right decision, it was so difficult for my kids, and impossible to explain in a way that they would understand. Sometimes trusting God is difficult. You go in a direction you believe He is leading you, but it's not without its Red Seas, Egyptians, and plagues, then when you get there you might complain too. Please pray for Mackenzie and our family through this journey. Thanks.
Sunday, October 3
On Sunday Ryan and I attended Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. It came after a surprise birthday party Saturday night for my parents. So the kids stayed with their aunts and uncles during church. This was ok for Ryan and I because it gave us an opportunity to worship together. We headed to Grace's 10:45 worship service. We were late (again) and snuck in the back door. I don't like being late so that already gave me some anxiety. However, the one person I know that attends Grace is their former youth director, Beth. She waved and welcomed Ryan and I next to her and got us all set up with the bulletin and hymnal. This hospitality was great and truly helped us feel less bad about being late and better about the service.
The first thing I noticed in service was that the bulletin is written in both Spanish and English. This was impressive, especially since we're Lutheran. Grace hosts another congregation within it's walls, La Vos de Esperanza. Immediately under their welcome in both languages is the acknowledgment of their companion congregation in Tanzania. The visual outreach seems amazing and really a core part of this congregations identity. As the Hymn "Here I Am, Lord" (tear) concluded the Pastor gave the greeting. Instantly I recognized the voice as my friend Pastor Ken Jones. Ken was filling in for the interim pastor that is currently serving Grace during their transition. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I knew the pastor in the room. I also knew his wife Mary was likely there too. I was so excited to see them.
The service was beautiful. Brass music, red book liturgy, you could feel the Spirit. Not to suck up to my friend, but Ken said exactly what I needed to hear that Sunday. He reminded that Jesus' love for me never depends on how I feel or what I accomplish. Through this transition in my life, I have felt like I'm not accomplishing anything and loaded with grief. I needed desperately to be reminded of Christ's love for me no matter how I feel or how much faith I have on a given day. Even in those low-points or those transitional points, Christ loves me the same. It's crazy how earthly messages of accomplishment and worth can get in the way of the truth.
There was no communion at the service I attended, however they offer it every week at alternating worship services. The sign above their entrance door says, Come to be fed, leave to feed others. I felt spiritually fed by this congregation.
Upon leaving Ryan and I were able to hug Ken and Mary and talk with them. It made me realize what makes a church feel like home are the people. We have walked through this faith journey we're all on together for a while. I knew Mary's sister when she died and spent time talking with their son, Sam. Ken and Mary listened, prayed for, and comforted me when we had our first miscarriage. It felt so good to have someone who has walked with you in a worship setting. I was glad God re-intersected our paths this particular Sunday. That inter-personal connection is a lot of what church is all about.
The director of Music Ministries at Grace also made it a point to come and talk to us following the service, recognizing us as visitors. He explained of some of the other programming opportunities at the beautiful church and where the congregation is in the call process. We really enjoyed worshiping at Grace and will probably return when their new pastor is called.
The first thing I noticed in service was that the bulletin is written in both Spanish and English. This was impressive, especially since we're Lutheran. Grace hosts another congregation within it's walls, La Vos de Esperanza. Immediately under their welcome in both languages is the acknowledgment of their companion congregation in Tanzania. The visual outreach seems amazing and really a core part of this congregations identity. As the Hymn "Here I Am, Lord" (tear) concluded the Pastor gave the greeting. Instantly I recognized the voice as my friend Pastor Ken Jones. Ken was filling in for the interim pastor that is currently serving Grace during their transition. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I knew the pastor in the room. I also knew his wife Mary was likely there too. I was so excited to see them.
The service was beautiful. Brass music, red book liturgy, you could feel the Spirit. Not to suck up to my friend, but Ken said exactly what I needed to hear that Sunday. He reminded that Jesus' love for me never depends on how I feel or what I accomplish. Through this transition in my life, I have felt like I'm not accomplishing anything and loaded with grief. I needed desperately to be reminded of Christ's love for me no matter how I feel or how much faith I have on a given day. Even in those low-points or those transitional points, Christ loves me the same. It's crazy how earthly messages of accomplishment and worth can get in the way of the truth.
There was no communion at the service I attended, however they offer it every week at alternating worship services. The sign above their entrance door says, Come to be fed, leave to feed others. I felt spiritually fed by this congregation.
Upon leaving Ryan and I were able to hug Ken and Mary and talk with them. It made me realize what makes a church feel like home are the people. We have walked through this faith journey we're all on together for a while. I knew Mary's sister when she died and spent time talking with their son, Sam. Ken and Mary listened, prayed for, and comforted me when we had our first miscarriage. It felt so good to have someone who has walked with you in a worship setting. I was glad God re-intersected our paths this particular Sunday. That inter-personal connection is a lot of what church is all about.
The director of Music Ministries at Grace also made it a point to come and talk to us following the service, recognizing us as visitors. He explained of some of the other programming opportunities at the beautiful church and where the congregation is in the call process. We really enjoyed worshiping at Grace and will probably return when their new pastor is called.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)