During Eastertide (April 20-June 8), we are discerning how God wants each of us to work and serve in the world AND discerning our pledges of time, talent, and money that we will make to serve and contribute to our collective ministry in the year ahead.
Here is our mantra for the season:
• God has given me a gift of my own.
• I don’t have to do it all.
• We have what we need.
• Using our gifts is filled with joy.
This Sunday, we’re taking a moment to celebrate and acknowledge those in our midst who have shared their gifts of teaching and learning with us over the past year.
Almost every week between September and May, our church school teachers and Bible study leaders prepare lesson and discussion plans to help our church family grow closer to God and to whom God calls us to be. Come Sunday morning, they prepare their space, greet their learners, share their gifts of leadership and teaching, and joyfully and humbly receive the gifts their learners offer in turn. Our church school students model for us how to bring our authentic selves to God and to one another. They show us, quite literally, what it means to approach God like a child: with a holy mix of curiosity, joy, skepticism, wonder, and humor (and goldfish crackers).
In worship, our Acolytes bookend our worship services with holy flame as they shepherd the light of Christ to and from our altar candles, leading us into and out of this sacred, set-aside time with one another. The care, reverence, and intention they bring to this worship leader role teaches us how to more fully honor the divine spark within each and every one of God’s children. Our Chancel Choir teaches us not only how to make a joyful (and, might I add, beautiful) noise unto the Lord, but also how to be lifelong learners – continually adding new songs and styles to their repertoire, all for the glory of God.
Our Bell Choir, who will be recognized next Sunday on June 8th alongside our Children’s Choir, teach us how to work as a team, as one body of Christ, and that you needn’t be able to carry a tune vocally to create beautiful harmonies, while our Children’s Choir leads us in lifting up the voices of the youngest among us, and helps us remember that children aren’t the future of the church – they are its present.
Lots of holy stuff going on in our midst- join us for worship at 11am in the sanctuary or on YouTube to catch a glimpse of it!
In faith,
Amy
P.S. Next Sunday, June 8th, is also consecration Sunday, when we will dedicate our time, talent, and financial pledges to God’s service through the ministry of this church community. If you haven’t submitted your pledge yet, you can fill it out online here, or fill out your paper form and bring it with you to church.
Eastertide & Stewardship Season Themes:
May 4th – Intro to Discernment, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
May 11th – God has given me a gift of my own, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
May 18th – I don’t have to do it all, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
May 25th – We have what we need, Ephesians 4: 11-14
June 1st – Celebrating our high school seniors, church school teachers
June 8th – Using my gifts is filled with joy, Galatians 5:22-23
