Hi everyone,
So today was a tough day for me. I don’t know what it was, maybe I was extra tired, which is weird because I was able to get some decent rest over the past couple days. Maybe I was feeling a bit rusty from all that extra rest, which also seems weird because you’d think that rest would put me more on my game. Or maybe I’m just not good at what I do (no further comment needed). Either case, I came in today sort of dreading leading worship.
But then worship happened as it always does. Songs were sung, prayers were prayed, bread was broken. God was seen, heard, and felt. And honestly, it was awesome.
So I’m thankful for the opportunity I have to lead others in worship (almost) every week. I’m thankful for the way worship speaks to our community in its reverence, liturgy, and design. I’m especially thankful for God being present and apparent wherever we are gathered, that we might experience God’s love and grace through our gathering, learning, and communing.
Here are the texts for next week:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
There was a reason for all that talk about worship, as I learned that our worship style in our church (that I didn’t design, by the way, but has been the tradition for centuries) was actually modelled after this story of Jesus being encountered on the road to Emmaus. And it’s a great story if you break it down.
There is the gathering, where Jesus walks alongside these two disciples. There is the Word, Jesus himself and what he taught the people. And of course there is the breaking of bread, where Jesus became recognisable and tangible in their midst. Sound familiar?
And so in our worship pattern, with the gathering, word, meal, and then sending, we are inviting the living Christ in our midst. We are creating a space where the love of God can be more easily seen and felt. We are setting ourselves up to encounter the Spirit, in and through us all.
So whatever kind of day you’re having, we can be open to the leading and guiding of the Spirit. We can sit back and allow our senses be informed of God with us in our midst. We can let our hearts be softened to encounter the living Christ who walks with us, talks with us, and teaches us the ways of grace and truth.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by Morgan Winston on Unsplash