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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Did the earth move for you?
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
No, not a Shakey Isles or California earthquake report, but ...
Sunday by Sunday I come back from the old Big Gig, and want to post something somewhere about the presence, absence or otherwise of God at the morning's liturgy; not an MW, just a 'lousy hymns' or a 'wow because' or whatever. I sometimes do it on the OZ/NZ thread, but that's a bit exclusive. I think it's an All Saints' sort of thing ... if not I'm sure it'll be booted elsewhere. and I guess if others don't feel the need to debrief it'll die a natural death.
I happen to lead the liturgy, but this isn't about that. It's about whether the earth moved for you this day, and why or why not. I certainly don't want an ecclesiantical analysis. Even maybe it was lousy because the preacher had a squint or it was beautiful because we sang a new song.
And yes, although I felt tired and flat today, the earth did move for me this day. That was partly because of of a sermon that took me to the thin places where heaven touches earth (thanks, kuru!), and partly because an extended baptismal family (whanau, we say here) came. They came, tough and tattooed, with three children (tamariki) for baptism. They brought joy and openness and enthusiasm and so enlivened a liturgy that might otherwise have dwindled into ho hum territory. So the earth moved.
You? Did the earth move for you? Feel free to debrief, week by week. Or not.
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Autenrieth Road
Shipmate
# 10509
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Posted
A long abiding calm joy today at the consecration of our new bishop coadjutor. Gathered with our bishop, and our presiding bishop, and bishops of neighbouring and nearby states, and oodles of clergy (so wonderful to see our pastors, of whom we demand so much, gathered so joyfully together for celebration), and ecumenical visitors, and the people of the diocese, and warm conversations with my pewmates, and the deeply sober and joyful responses of the candidate, and the solemn examination of the candidate and the laying on of hands, including the declarations made, and feeling that at the core, in the midst of all the pageantry is an abiding continuity of bringing forth leaders and shepherds in the church...
the earth floated today.
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Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
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Dee.
Ship's Theological Acrobat
# 5681
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Posted
Nope,
The last few weeks have not had liturgy in our wee service and I feel the lack of it, today we launched straight into the discussion (we have one of those rather than a sermon) and I missed the contemplation of the liturgy at the start of the service.
Our liturgist left at the end of last year and I miss her, she had a lovely way of putting liturgies together that gave direction, structure, depth, and reflection to our service.
Sniff..
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Jesus - nice bloke, bit religious
Posts: 2679 | From: Under Downunder | Registered: Mar 2004
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Clarence
Shipmate
# 9491
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Posted
Today was a relief as it was the first time in weeks that I haven't been LA/reader/prayer leader (which I find stressful!). It reminded me that there is joy in believing (which I'd forgotten over the last few Sundays).
The choir did a great job on the descants, which made singing Hyfrydol a treat, and our organist was in fine form, but today was one of those where the quiet reflection was the best part of the service. I am SO glad I went.
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I scraped my knees while I was praying - Paramore
Posts: 793 | From: Over the rainbow | Registered: May 2005
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Nicodemia
WYSIWYG
# 4756
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Posted
For reasons of disability and olsd age I go to said Communion every Wednesday, along with my fellow geriarics! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
And yes, usually the earth shifts a little, or much. Usually when I hear the priest say the Eucharistic prayer, or when I listen to the murmurs of "This is my body", "This is my blood", as the bread and wine is taken round to each person. The words seem to echo through the ages, and God feels close to me at that time. No fuzzy feelings, just a warm glow, often of varying intensity!
(though I do miss a good "sing" ![[Frown]](frown.gif) )
Posts: 4544 | From: not too far from Manchester, UK | Registered: Jul 2003
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Dennis the Menace
Shipmate
# 11833
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Posted
Yes it did today. The first Sunday for at least two months where I have not been at the organ, piano or data projector.
We had a lay preacher as Il Pappa was elsewhere. Her sermon was very challenging and indeed enlightening on Ascension Day. Made all the more special by the not so public news that our elder has breast cancer, a woman in her mid 40's, and so precious to all in our group, she has a long road to recvery ahead of her.
On a brighter note the last hymn was Hyfrydol, too, sang with much gusto and feeling
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"Till we cast our crowns before Him; Lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Posts: 853 | From: Newcastle NSW Australia | Registered: Sep 2006
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
Pray, the noun 'geriaric', is that a geriatric who is unable to spell? ![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
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Well...
Posts: 5108 | From: The Deep North, Oz | Registered: Dec 2006
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
As other Hosts have pointed out, in other times and places, snickering at mere typos or careless spelling has its place.
But not here in All Saints.
Don't carry on with this.
Don't do it.
PeteC
eta: This is a general warning. Let those who have ears, hear.
[ 04. May 2008, 09:30: Message edited by: PeteC ]
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Ags
Knocked up
# 204
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Posted
I was going to post no.
The service felt rushed and somehow crammed full with stuff (it was a Eucharist with Baptism.)
The Baptismal party plus entourage were probably not used to church and many were bored, resulting in talking, fidgeting, & chewing throughout the service.
A couple of men were bobbing up and down with video cameras.
I usually really enjoy leading the intercessions, but felt rushed and uncomfortable because of the noise and movement in front of me.
As I said, I was going to post no.
But as well as leading intercessions I was Lay Chalice Bearer. And somehow, in the midst of all the hubbub, God spoke to me through that. A still, small voice of calm.
And so, yes, the earth moved.
Gently.
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I think that we are most ourselves at our best, because that is what God intended us to be. The us we really like, the us that others love to be with. Moth
Posts: 2707 | From: London | Registered: May 2001
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
Sort of today, but mainly absolutely twice in the past couple of weeks.
1 The prayer meeting on a Tuesday morning, where I went in desperate for an inkling of the oh-so-distant presence of the Lord and came out with my Father's voice resting my heart and
2 In a Northern town on Sunday last week where my friend and I were made so welcome.
Thanks be to God for the Church.
Cat
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...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
No, but I did hear a still, small voice.
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I think the earth moved for the organist, though. At the end of the service, he played 'Transports de joie' by Messiaen, at full volume. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) He's a complete and utter lunatic.
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Desert Daughter
Shipmate
# 13635
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Posted
Unfortunately not. It might be me, but this morning in my habitual small-town church in France. Before I start ranting, I have to say that the homilies there are consistently good.
Now: I was irritated by
(a) late-middle-aged-ladies gossiping across aisles in very audible whisper... they just **want** to be seen socialising. OK, I meet some friends there, too, but we wait for after the service to have a chat.
(b) their husbands sniffing, coughing, and one of them later snoring.
(c) the shaking of hands as you're supposed to give peace to your neighbour: They either clasp your paw with both hands and give you a rapturous look, or they barely shake it, not looking you in the eyes. Several people who took it very seriously walked up and down the aisles, so there was lots of commotion... I hate this moment... all I want is to **pray**, not mock-socialise.
(d) the "hymns". France is not known for uplifting hymns, but today's selection was particularly sad. Printed on a motley collection of loose leaves, sappy texts and impossible melodies.
Give me a High Mass in a Bavarian Cathedral any time...
[ 04. May 2008, 14:51: Message edited by: Desert Daughter ]
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"Prayer is the rejection of concepts." (Evagrius Ponticus)
Posts: 733 | Registered: Apr 2008
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JoannaP
Shipmate
# 4493
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Posted
Yes, gently. It was well-led service, with an intelligent sermon, well thought-out intercessions and a fine selection of hymns. In the silence after receiving communion I was aware of God's presence.
In other words, a normal Sunday morning ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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"Freedom for the pike is death for the minnow." R. H. Tawney (quoted by Isaiah Berlin)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1877 | From: England | Registered: May 2003
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JB
Independent Thinker
# 1776
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Posted
Actually, yesterday at Guardian Angel Cathedral on the Las Vegas strip - moving mass and spectacular singing. And the singing was a single cantor with a space-filling operatic voice that made ordinary music memorable.
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You live, you learn
You learn, you live
Posts: 2588 | From: Land of Enchantment | Registered: Jun 2001
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Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
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Posted
Hmm. Attendance was abysmal this morning, due to sickness, Bank Holiday, etc., etc. - but we sang the hymns and the Mass setting, listened to the Gospel read and proclaimed, and we received the Most Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God was worshipped, sinners pardoned and strengthened, and I bet the hosts of heaven were there as well. Sometimes, these things are obvious to us - other times, we have to remind ourselves!
Ian J.
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Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
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Joyeux
Ship's Lady of Laughter
# 3851
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Posted
Yes. I could provide a point-by-point, indicating what "worked" and what didn't, what I liked vs what was distracting. Despite all of that, I knew, absolutely & for certain, that God was present with us in service this morning.
The extra blessing was that this assurance came before the Eucharist, even before the sermon (which served as confirmation, btw)... but during offertory: piano-only arrangement of "It Is Well".
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Float?...Do science too
Posts: 4318 | From: over th... no, there! | Registered: Dec 2002
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
Funny you should ask that, today of all days.
I'd have to say YES. Despite the noise (from adults!) 50 (not 100 as I said previously) children were confirmed and received their first Holy Communion. Shy kids, confident kids, kids worried about little faux pas, kids who just let it roll of their backs, they're all now full members of Christ's Church. And for that I rejoice. They were ably supported by some of their schoolmates in a choir, and read the Epistles and led the Intercessions in a professional manner.
It was fun, and despite some parents not reading the bulletin notice about no cameras during the service, prayerful.
A lot of these children I see twice weekly in my school volunteer capacity. So I beamed a lot on their behalf too.
But how many of these kids will be in church next week? Just a handful. But when you're 7-8 years old you go where your parents want to go - or not go.
![[Disappointed]](graemlins/disappointed.gif)
I hold all of them in my heart and prayers though and I thank their teachers who have worked hard this year to bring them along to this point.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
A very interesting and timely question for today.
We are missing half of the worship leaders that normally sing, play, read and pray. Many different events (weird ones) caused most of those leaders to be late for rehearsals. Our music director has had a long, hard month at her "real" job, and she is exhausted. Warm ups were lackluster and tired sounding.
Yet...
In spite of our inadequacies, in spite of our very human, very imperfect attempts at leading worship, God moved the earth! That to me is a miracle!
[ 05. May 2008, 00:19: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
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comet
Snowball in Hell
# 10353
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Posted
C3's first Meeting for Worship.
I was afraid he wouldn't be able to stay quiet that long. He brought toys, and we had a little talk first.
He is already aware of why we remain silent; I just thought it would be impossible.
It wasn't. he was marvelous. played quietly, and even joined us spontaneously a few times.
After Meeting, he asked if God told me anything; then said, "God told me free fings! first, be respectful - that was when I almost called out to you.
"Second, to be patient, you'd be able to talk to me soon.
""Fird, to have com...compeez... compassion for people."
dang.
I think little Friends have very open ears.
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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions
"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin
Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005
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James the Confident
Ship's Pastor
# 9678
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by comet:
C3's first Meeting for Worship.
I was afraid he wouldn't be able to stay quiet that long. He brought toys, and we had a little talk first.
He is already aware of why we remain silent; I just thought it would be impossible.
It wasn't. he was marvelous. played quietly, and even joined us spontaneously a few times.
After Meeting, he asked if God told me anything; then said, "God told me free fings! first, be respectful - that was when I almost called out to you.
"Second, to be patient, you'd be able to talk to me soon.
""Fird, to have com...compeez... compassion for people."
dang.
I think little Friends have very open ears.
![[Tear]](graemlins/tear.gif) ![[Angel]](graemlins/angel.gif)
We had a lovely service of Praise, Prayer and Proclamation. There was a visiting group of young people from Fusion who are about to 1) go to Germany to run a youth camp for three months and 2) go to China for two weeks to run festivals for the Chinese Christians during the Olympics. For me though, the best bit was the small homilies that went along with the Bible readings, beautifully thought out and presented.
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"How do you get all those coins?" asked Mort.
IN PAIRS
"Mort", Terry Pratchett
Posts: 3219 | From: Geelong | Registered: Jul 2005
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Badger Lady
Shipmate
# 13453
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Posted
Earth stalled at the service at my church this morning. Hymns archaic and had little relevance to the service. Sermon rambling. To cap it all, my private post-communion prayer had to compete with the two ladies infront of me discussing their drains. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
BL
Posts: 340 | From: London | Registered: Feb 2008
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Penny Lane
Shipmate
# 3086
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Autenrieth Road:
A long abiding calm joy today at the consecration of our new bishop coadjutor. Gathered with our bishop, and our presiding bishop, and bishops of neighbouring and nearby states, and oodles of clergy (so wonderful to see our pastors, of whom we demand so much, gathered so joyfully together for celebration), and ecumenical visitors, and the people of the diocese, and warm conversations with my pewmates, and the deeply sober and joyful responses of the candidate, and the solemn examination of the candidate and the laying on of hands, including the declarations made, and feeling that at the core, in the midst of all the pageantry is an abiding continuity of bringing forth leaders and shepherds in the church...
the earth floated today.
Good to know. The bishop for whom I work was there, but with his travel schedule I won't see him in the office until next week, so may forget to ask his thoughts. This thread will help me to remember to ask.
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~Penny
Posts: 1130 | From: North Carolina, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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Penny Lane
Shipmate
# 3086
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Posted
We open our building to various community groups to use, one of which is the [City] Gay Men's Chorus. They presented a concert in the nave not long ago, but were asked to present the Offertory anthem and one other piece during worship yesterday. The Offertory was Prayer of the Children, which brought tears to my eyes. Yes, the earth moved, and rent a thin place.
[ 06. May 2008, 02:26: Message edited by: Penny Lane ]
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~Penny
Posts: 1130 | From: North Carolina, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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Banner Lady
Ship's Ensign
# 10505
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Posted
It was a non-communion service for me this week - and I sometimes find those the hardest of all because so much healing and wholeness happens in our lives at the eucharist. But God smiled, because my eldest daughter came to church with me, which was a huge thing for her to do. It was the church where she grew up, and there are some bad associations there for her. She enjoyed the music, the sermon resonated for her, an outreach opportunity was presented which sparked her interest, people were kind and welcoming during the passing of the peace....and then afterwards a man with many problems and few social skills tried to put his phone number into her hand.
She took it in her stride; but I don't know if she will ever darken the door of this church again. Sigh.
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Women in the church are not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be enjoyed.
Posts: 7080 | From: Canberra Australia | Registered: Oct 2005
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
You? Did the earth move for you? Feel free to debrief, week by week. Or not.
Inside church? Never. Maybe two or three times in my life, not that I can think of any specific instances right now, more like "surely there's been a time or two?" There was a lovely sung evensong a couple of years ago, that's one time. So it can happen.
Outside church, oh yes! Numerous times alone at home, weekly at least, often daily. Also at (some, not all) conferences.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
Probably not so much so for me this week - those as small kids danced ecstatic through the church with streamed, accompanied by the sounds of rushing wind, faces a-beam, there was glimpse of eternity.
John Bell's "Enemy of Apathy" always works for me - today it was sung by Richard Gillard of "The Servant Song" fame, and worked powerfully well.
But there were one or two departures from good liturgical theology, which, though I permitted them in the first place, maybe just distracted (but no doubt no-one else!) a little.
And the sermon was a dull (but short) ramble, or so it seemed to me! I was the preacher
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
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Posted
(methinks you're being a little tough on yourself, Zappa.)
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Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
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Nunc Dimittis
Seamstress of Sound
# 848
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Posted
Today I was too grumpy to get into the spirit of Pentecost. *grump grump grump* The fact that Liturgical (Lay) Assistants here do the deacon's role at mass, and I can only be deacon when I am rostered on as a LA pissed me off even more than usual...
Posts: 9515 | From: Delta Quadrant | Registered: Jul 2001
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by comet:
<snip>
""Fird, to have com...compeez... compassion for people."
dang.
I think little Friends have very open ears.
At the risk of repetition, ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif) from me too.
Off to my nephew's dedication today.
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...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jenn.
Shipmate
# 5239
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Posted
Pentecost! Yay! Church touched me this morning, which was very suprising. I haven't felt anything in church (other than tired and bored) for a long time, and had given up expecting to. But today, the Holy Spirit... can't find the words, but He was there.
Posts: 2282 | From: England | Registered: Nov 2003
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Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
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Posted
I went to our cathedral downtown today as it's the last day for viewing the gorgeous Keiskamma altarpiece. I had planned to do that before realizing it was Pentecost, so being there on a major feast day was a bonus. Baptism, red streamers in the processional, great music, but the kicker was during the cathedral dean's sermon. She's a great preacher, and towards the end, as she repeated "Come Holy Spirit" several times, I became aware of a sound. The choir was humming, then softly chanting, the beautiful Taize chant Veni Sancte Spiritus. It was, for a moment there, like the rushing of wind from the first Pentecost, and it was absolutely transporting.
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Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
Went to the church in the town where I was young ... rarely went there as a kid but have dropped in from time to time in the decades since. This time, for the first time, the liturgy was tolerable, even resembling something faintly anglican. Yes I could do without "let's all turn and face each other to say the grace", and I loathe "let's just all say the collect together[/i] and I'm not sure that I can ever accommodate this peculiar habit in some anglican circles of dropping from standing to kneeling after the Sanctus and Benedictus, and I find the directive to "please sit or kneel to pray" pretty bloody abhorrent - but apart from that it was a whole lot better than when I last went there a few years back!
In other words there were some god-breathed moments.
[ 19. May 2008, 04:30: Message edited by: Zappa ]
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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James the Confident
Ship's Pastor
# 9678
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Posted
Today's sermon* was on Matthew 6:22-34. It was preached with sensitivity and obvious deep thought. For the first time I think I have really caught the meaning of the "do not worry" sentences. The only "down" side to the service was Shine Jesus, Shine!
* I know, I know. Darned evangelicals, placing the word above the sacrament but...
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"How do you get all those coins?" asked Mort.
IN PAIRS
"Mort", Terry Pratchett
Posts: 3219 | From: Geelong | Registered: Jul 2005
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Church this Sunday was ACE!
Guy leading the band was off his stride and there were a few interesting stumbles and moments where the rest of the band weren't totally sure how to follow, I felt a bit rubbish so wasn't listening to the sermon but it was good.
You see, we have a guy in our congregation who has an aortic aneurysm and is awaiting surgery down in London (more details in his blog - link in my sig). One of our leaders felt that we should pray for healing for the sick and particularly this one guy, Dan. He got him to share a bit about what's going on and Dan spoke about the agony of waiting and getting dates and having them cancelled or remain unconfirmed and the despair of talking or thinking about it all. Then we moved a bunch of chairs out of the middle of the room, got Dan and his wife (and their younger child) in the middle and as a congregation laid hands on them and prayed for them. We really were community and family and we expressed that and cried out to God for them.
That was good. It was also good to have a bit of space in the middle of the room. I like space when I'm singing.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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Clarence
Shipmate
# 9491
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Posted
Sick Dissenters has a quiet and beautiful little chapel and this morning FD was on duty there, doing a good job tying all the readings together (arks, rainbows, mountains crashing into the sea and house foundations collapsing don't normally sit especially well together, but he managed it). We had a few patients' relatives in the service (including a bunch of Salvos in the front row who nodded enthusiastically throughout the message)and it just felt good to be there.
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I scraped my knees while I was praying - Paramore
Posts: 793 | From: Over the rainbow | Registered: May 2005
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by To The Pain:
Church this Sunday was ACE!
<snip>
Of course it would have been even better with fire poi ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
No, seriously, good to know God's meeting with you lot where you are even as He is tapping me on the shoulder where I am. Love you all.
Cat
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...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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geroff
Shipmate
# 3882
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Posted
It was "One more step along the .... slippery slope down the candle".
While the vicar's away.... the readers shall forget their robes, make it up as they go along and descend into repetitive songs - although that didn't work as I saw a distinct glare across the church from the pianist!
What I want to know is when we will bring out the tat and incense when the readers are away?
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"The first principle in science is to invent something nice to look at and then decide what it can do." Rowland Emett 1906-1990
Posts: 1172 | From: Montgomeryshire, Wales | Registered: Jan 2003
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
I was at my parents' church down south this weekend and yet again the earth moved. It was a youth service (lead by the youth group) so there was newspaper, dressing up and much other weirdness but there was also family and community and communion.
And the sermon was on Ephesians 6 and the armour and appealed to my slightly combative side. And this clip was shown which spoke to me and filled my heart with such... longing... hope... joy.
It sounds like the earth moved at my home church too - the chairs had been re-arranged and I'll have to go listen to the sermon, 'cos it sounds, from what I've had relayed to me, like a real wake-up call.
Then I totally had an earth-moving moment or two on the way to uni yesterday morning. As I wondered along in the rain pondering the weekend an image came to mind of Jesus (I don't think the precise image translates well outside my strange little brain) performing an action of complete triumph and defiance and derision of his enemy. So I spent a happy minute or so brimming with joy and laughing out loud in the rain as I trooped into the office.
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Now occasionally blogging.
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Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Me again!
This weekend I was pretty churched out. We had a church weekend 'at home' this weekend and it just felt like we'd done church three times within about 28 hours. Mostly it was good, just tiring. We annointed new church leaders and all the teaching was good stirring stuff from Joshua.
But our household had a total blast on Sunday night. We were watching the Florida Healing Outpouring, as is our wont, and the worship leader, Roy, was getting (as my sister would say) seriously wasted on God. He got so bad that he 'forgot how to play piano' and ended up spinning around on a stool and dancing around the stage and we had such a case of God-hysterics going on in our living room as a result.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
Saturday: YFriday, Leeland, David Crowder band, Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St James and Delirious? all leading worship (and it was worship, not just a show). They were obviously not in control of the thing because the crowd were singing / chanting in their own style and outdoing the bands!
Sunday: Morning service at Wester Hailes Baptist Church, Edinburgh good solid teaching and genuine praise sung to God. And God's presence was there in that real way that is so difficult to explain.
Got home at 9ish to join Mr C in watching Good Omens ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
[edit for speeling]
[ 09. June 2008, 15:22: Message edited by: cattyish ]
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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Autenrieth Road
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# 10509
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Posted
Saturday:
Memorial service at my 25th college reunion -- ridiculously impressed by the faith and spirituality of the members of my class who designed the service. Deeply grateful for the lives of my dead classmates, departed too soon. (I say "ridiculously" because why should I be surprised? But somehow faith and comfort and grieving at that level was never part of my college conversations, even in overtly religious contexts. This says more about me than about my classmates. Although I suspect I would find many of us have been on a spiritual walk similar to mine.)
What contributed? The music, the readings, the candle lighting, the full church, the graciousness of the surroundings, the chaplain's remarks.
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Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
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Autenrieth Road
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# 10509
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Posted
Sunday:
Communion with the monks, in their extraordinary chapel -- stone, narrow, tall, arched, incense. Ah, incense.
Brilliantly shining stained glass, every one a complex mystery for hours of meditation.
I'd been going to sleep in -- more time to pack, more time to catch up with classmates -- but woke up early even without an alarm, and... couldn't not go. Was drawn. Not despite myself: I realized the draw and wanted to go. Like Mole on the shining river rather than like a captured fish on a line.
When I got there there were texts in the hymns that spoke of that drawing. It would give too strong a picture to say I was struck down. Stunned, though, yes I was. My mind struggles with faith. But there I was, drawn, and couldn't not be there.
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Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
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Callanish
Shipmate
# 13735
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Posted
The honest answer this weekend was yes - God was indeed up to some pretty earth-moving stuff, in my little world at the very least. We had a whole weekend of general God-stuff, which I think was very much needed and I am very grateful for. I may even have found myself laughing in Church for no apparent reason.
Also had a very nice moment, possibly not quite earth-moving but spiritual, when standing on top of a big hill in the wind and the sunshine on Sunday. Thank You Lord
Callanish
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Light for love, for lilt, for laughter
Posts: 70 | From: Wherever I lay my very groovy hat | Registered: May 2008
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Autenrieth Road
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# 10509
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"Presence, absence, or otherwise of God at the morning's liturgy."
The earth doesn't always move, not in that oh-my-gosh I'm at the edge of everything. Today, quiet continued practice -- I was home, I was connected, glimmers floated through.
The first service I was in a terrible grouchy mood, (altar guild all a mess, bits overlooked here and there, trying to do last minute things on no breakfast and not enough sleep and missed my morning prayers), yet by the end things were OK and especially as I moved into altar guild-ing cleanup afterwards things became calm. I had managed the essential task (in my view, maybe in no-one else's) of getting the extra-thin wafers for the LEM kits onto the altar for consecration, and despite far more mess with the consecrated wine afterwards than there should be (which underlines for me just why it is we normally prepare kits in advance) I coped with it instead of being frustrated.
Gospel study between services the rector was there, which he seldom is and I welcome the chance to hear from him (not that I always agree with him, but I am learning to listen to him better and find wisdom in what he says); plus what seemed like a disjointed gospel when we started, came to reveal its depth and meaning as we went along.
Second service passed without being boring; I was a bit disconnected but contented enough, and it was great joy to thank the acolytes (with ice-cream cone coupons), past and present, at mid-service.
Afterwards some bright acolyte had the idea to go en masse on an ice cream run, and I got asked by the kids if I'd come to be the designated adult for the group, and it was great fun -- not running around fun, but just fun to see this group of kids getting on with each other, and talk with them, and eat ice cream together, and did I mention to see them getting on with each other and being friends?
Is this post terribly bloggy? Just a bit bloggy? It's not supposed to be. It's supposed to be trying to illustrate how God creeps in through long practice, quiet but not rigid attention, unexpected moments that may not have been meaningful the week before or the week after but are meaningful this week.
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Truth
Posts: 9559 | From: starlight | Registered: Oct 2005
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Me again
Did the Earth move? Heck yeah!
This week, toward the end of the singing I found myself flat on my face. Just seemed to be where I needed to be. I can be so proud and God's so big.
And the sermon was about faith and getting out of the boat and 'if everything we're doing/being makes sense to the casual observer then that's not living by faith'. There are a couple of things that I've been mulling over lately and the sermon spoke directly to them. One in a very strong way, the other more gently.
There was more singing later and when they closed the service I didn't want it to stop. Tried to start a couple of conversations but realised I just wanted to stay in that place of chilling out with God, so I did until two people had come and asked me if I was OK or wanted prayer!
God is so good.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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rexory
Shipmate
# 4708
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Posted
Last Sunday of my holidays. Went to Eucharist in the parish of a great friend. His welcoming smile and hug was one of those God-presenting moments. And more so was his quiet inquiry as to whether Mrs R & I were wishing to be incognito. That he even thought to ask was wonderful. And to be "just an ordinary Christian" for the morning was superb. To listen to a sermon, to sing and to receive the Sacrament as just me, rather than being "outed" as a priest (as happened a couple of weeks ago in another parish ) was for me a bit of heaven!
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Our first words on getting to heaven will be "Ohhh!", with an air of "Now I understand!" - CS Lewis, via Philip Yancey, "What Good is God", 2010
Posts: 2974 | From: Perth, Western Australia | Registered: Jul 2003
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