Words of Faith

Words of Faith

Spirit to Spirit Writing Project

The word Lent comes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.

How do I participate?
Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Hearts to Serve, Hands to God

What is your favorite way to participate in the church service (if you are a pastor, what part of your role in the service is your favorite to carry out?) What is an insider's view of what it's like to participate in this way?  What do you see?  How does is service to others also a service to yourself and to God?  Have you been an usher?  Lector?  Served communion?  Taken communion?  Greeter?  Pick what you love and write about it.
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 9:38 PM

    This is clear for me. Each Sunday I pray the prayers. I set the table. I then speak these words: "All things are ready. Everyone is welcome."

    Everyone means everyone. No matter how poor my sermon was- these 7 gospel words bear up my joy.

    Joel Lohafer

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  2. AnonymousMarch 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Blessed Are the Hands, Voices…

    Servants gather in service to celebrate.
    Together, unique forever, this body comes.
    Thematic worship, lectionary led, to contemplate.
    Functions preceding form doing spiritual sums.

    Presiding Minister acts the MC of the moment.
    Greets the group, preaches the word, heads the table.
    Makes eye contact, most important a welcome comment.
    Leads spiritual calisthenics; “Please stand as you are able.”

    Assisting Minister adds support for the PM as needed.
    Holds texts for smooth delivery, seamless interaction.
    Delivers the Kyrie, collects offering, God’s work seeded.
    Sends servants out to work; gives service peaceful traction.

    Bell Choir member, Sanctuary Choir member too,
    Practice brings skills to a level of excellence joyful.
    Smaller group cohesiveness known by the few.
    As Levites of old performed temple duties bountiful.

    Door greeters bring a hand to the gathering folk.
    Ushers provide guidance throughout the service.
    Lectors bring voices, expression to lessons, let insight soak.
    Prayer Partners hear private concerns, exchange calm for nervous.

    Counters team up to bring form to offering plates.
    Meet with coffee, sorting cash, coin and check.
    Bring the ‘congealed sweat of labor’, no balance inflates.
    Serving their turn in time, make the annual financial trek.

    Such a joyful weekly practice, servants hug, kiss and share.
    Without this corporate expression sin’s fracturing way might rule.
    Together, God’s folk, bring compassion, justice issues dare.
    In strong presence welcome all to join, dignified or fool.

    The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
    27.3.13

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  3. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    Participation

    It is the third Thursday of the month and Pastor and some of the tenants here will gather in the Community Room for our Holy Communion service. It is time to make the muffins, but which ones shall I make? I have to use rice flour because Doris needs gluten free. Mary likes the cranberry orange.
    Do I have some cranberries in the freezer? Yes. And all the other ingredients are here too.
    I feel such joy in setting out the necessary items to bake the muffins. They have become our trademark, and I work to make a good batch. The smell floats from the oven and fills the hall outside my door, reminding others that this is the day. I love doing this for an offering. For one little thing I can do that says "Welcome Lord, to our house this morning. Bless us with your presence. Amen."

    Clarene Aitken
    28.3.13

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2013 at 9:00 PM

      you make serving and worship cousins.

      ronaldo

      Delete
    2. Larry MorrisMarch 31, 2013 at 10:59 PM

      That's a wonderful phrase ronaldo!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMarch 29, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    Hearts to Serve, Hands to God

    I love the Church Service, in its many forms,
    both High and low
    I enjoy the contrast of the different kinds of music,
    that all point to the Glory of God
    These Services, with their wonderful Liturgies,
    make me truly feel a part of the communion of Saints:
    the Saints that I'm sitting with now,
    the Saints that are celebrating all around the World,
    as well as the Ones who have gone on before us

    Over the years, I have participated in just about every possible part of a Church Service. In fact, about the only thing I haven't done (and can't "legally" do) is to
    consecrate the Elements, for Holy Communion

    However, my favorite way to participate in the Service....to give service...is when I get to Lector...When I get to read the Lessons, and share the Word of God with the Congregation.

    I prepare for this first, with prayer. I pray that God can use me to speak to the hearts of the People; that God's Word, which I see as a Loveletter from God, will come alive through my voice.

    I then look at several different versions of the text, trying to find the spirit of what God was trying to emphasize to the people of the time when it was first written; and then, to what it might mean for us, today.

    I pray again. I try to visualize the people who will be receiving this wonderful Message. I mark the passages, so that
    I know where to pause, or breathe; or where to speak loudly or slowly.

    I read it again, the day of the Service, along with another prayer that I can relax, and allow the Holy Spirit to do the
    real reading...and then I go to church and let God do the rest.

    I actually think I learn much more when I Lector, than when I simply go to church and listen to the Lessons being read by others. Maybe that's why I like to do it so much. Also, I have been given the Spiritual Gift of being able to to this, so it's nice to share it.

    fHs
    Sara

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