This Sunday we begin a summer worship schedule, gathering as one community at 9:30 a.m. This first service will be a Service of Healing. The 8:30 and 10:30 services will resume in the fall. Read Pastor Annemarie’s letter, below.
Pastor Annemarie
There’s an old gospel song that’s a favorite of mine, “When the Spirit tells you to move, you gotta move.” https://youtu.be/_L8TuwqFqw8
Over the last couple of weeks, it’s been brought up to me a number of times in various conversations with different people, the idea that we move to having one worship service for the summer months.
Of course, there’s the fact that worship attendance goes down drastically over the summer months as seasonal worshipers return north and year-round residents leave town for one or more vacations. But more than that, it’s become apparent that right now there’s felt a need among us to all be together at the same time in the same place for mutual care and friendship, to strengthen our bonds.
After all the heightened stresses of the last couple of years, and now our profound grief at the loss of Heidi Gerrish, and awareness of all who grieve recent losses, we want to surround all who need tender care with our love and support by being physically present to each other, not scattered across two sparsely attended services.
To me, it makes a lot of sense intellectually. But more than that, it feels to me like this is a Holy Spirit thing that God is lifting up from grassroots. Typically adjustments to worship schedules are planned out far in advance, but this particular case seems to be an exception to the rule—something God is doing and who are we to slow it down?
So, in conversation with Lai Gates and Dave Coste and unanimous approval by council, beginning June 26, our Sunday schedule will be worship at 9:30 a.m., followed by fellowship and any Bible study/faith talk opportunities. We’ll keep this schedule for all of July and August, evaluating as we go.
Worship on June 26 will be a special Service of Healing, which offers an extended time for all to receive individual prayer for healing, for yourself or on behalf of someone who is on your heart. You will have choices of what to do during that time: You may come forward for individual prayer and laying on of hands from a prayer minister, or move as you feel comfortable to one of multiple prayer stations around the sanctuary, or stay in your seat in private prayer or meditation. Printed prayer-aides will be available for all. The healing portion of the service will be followed by Holy Communion.
To summarize: Beginning June 26, our Summer Worship Schedule will be one service only at 9:30 a.m.
Let us come together to hear God’s Word, be renewed by Sacrament, and know the encouragement of the Body of Christ. The community of hope is here—come give and receive God’s love.
See you in worship!
— Pastor Annemarie