Welcome Home...

This Sunday was going to be like any other Sunday in our home church-- Except that the new council was being installed during the service. Hubby has been elected Vice President, which means he will serve as President next year. So, we knew that was going to be pretty special.

As we were sitting down, we were approached by one of the gentlemen in our congregation who said they were short acolytes. Both my older kids were asked to acolyte.

There is nothing quite like watching your children walk in carrying the torch to light the alter candles. They had on their long robes (which nearly drug the ground on the younger child) and the acolyte's cross.

As the service progressed, they sat still and/or participated in the service, as the need required. They didn't slouch, pick at their shoes, stare at the ceiling or even yawn. They were respectful ministers of the service.

Our family might not have sat in the same pew together, but we were definitely all worshipping together. And what joy to get to serve our Lord in these very special ways!

~Amen

St. Timothy Lutheran Church- Coming Home

This past Sunday, we went back to St. Timothy. We are not "done" with our Faith Walk-About. In fact, I hope that we continue our Walk-About to a lesser extent indefinitely.

It was somewhat of a "Homecoming" for us, even though we had been there last week. We had a congregational meeting to vote in the new council members, and David was elected VP. Courtney was trained to be an acolyte. And we all recommitted ourselves to all of the day-to-day activities of St. Timothy.

The service was like slipping into a pair of your favorite jeans. It was familiar, comfortable and easy to settle into. We sang my favorite song, "This is My Father's World."

Pastor Maier's sermon was aimed, once again, at the transition the congregation is experiencing, and has been experiencing for about five years, total. These sermons seem to be lightening the spirits of our weary souls.

Prior to service, Jill, our new Sunday School Superintendent, asked for Volunteers. She did so with such enthusiasm and cleverness that she had a nice response.

It is gratifying to see, especially after our various experiences in the various churches, that St. Timothy is getting a fresh breath of air. Our energy level seems to be rising again. People are beginning to try to figure out where they can "plug in." There is a feeling of joy, rather than the feeling of diligent duty.

As we continue our Walk-About, I will continue to post on this blog. And as wonderful things go on in St. Timothy, I will share those here as well.

If I was asked to sum up our experience (thus far), I would say that we all had a wonderful opportunity to see God's love in action in very many different ways. All are brothers and sisters under God. We just worship and praise Him differently.

What a blessing to share this with my family! Glory be to God!

~Amen


St. Timothy Lutheran Church is located in Hendersonville, TN

St. Timothy Lutheran Church

Today we went back to our home church, St. Timothy Lutheran. It was so familiar, we were able to recite it without consulting a book or bulletin. And it was wonderful to see friends we hadn't seen in a while.

The highlight of the service was the sermon. Pastor Meier is our transitional pastor, and his job is to help us as we are in a holding pattern while hiring a new permanent pastor. Today he addressed the idea that any kind of congregation in this position finds themselves at a point when they are tired of the process; They are tired of the wait; They are ready things to move along.

He acknowledged that in any organization, it is typical for 20% of the people to do 80% of the work. And when people are tired, it becomes harder to keep up responsibilities and excitement.

However, the church has to continue. And they have to keep strong. The congregation needs to keep their spirits high. First, for the life of the congregation. But, secondly, pastoral candidates are looking at us and interviewing us as much as we are to them.

It was not a sermon that made us feel guilt or that anyone was pointing fingers. Instead, it was more like a rallying cry, encouraging us all to look in our hearts and listen for our individual calling.

After the service, my two older children excitedly volunteered to help as ministers of the service. And hubby threw his name in the hat for Vice President of council (provided no one else felt called to do it). My youngest is thrilled to follow behind siblings or family members, helping in any way she can.

I am still helping and volunteering behind the scenes, which is just fine with me. And I am still enjoying our faith walk-about.

We may not go somewhere new every week. But we will still visit places from time to time. It is a great way to appreciate what you have, find inspiration to take back to your home church, and remind ourselves that God is a God of wonder, Who is worthy of all kinds of worship & praise- no matter what the religion or what kind of service is practiced.

~Amen

St. Timothy Lutheran Church

650 East Main Street

Hendersonville, TN 37075

615-824-6244

http://www.sttimothyonline.org/

St. LaPointe Lutheran Church

Today, David was going to be leaving town for a while. We talked about what church we would attend, and it was decided that the children would be in charge of our worship service today, and that we would have it at our home.

The children spent hours upstairs working on their service. It was decided that Caitlin would be the music director, Courtney would be acolyte and lector, and Connor would be the worship leader.

They started out by lighting two candles. Then they asked us to bow our heads while we all recited the Lord's Prayer.

Next, they had Courtney read from Exodus 32:1-29 (the story about Moses and the golden calf). Courtney and Caitlin did a skit for the sermon, and Connor explained that the choice of the story of the golden calf was based on the need for patience.

To keep in the theme of the golden calf, our hymn of the day was "Old McDonald" (which I found pretty creative). Then they used some crackers and water for Holy Communion.

Caitlin, the Music Director, played the piano.

Finally, Connor pronounced the benediction.

Much work went into this service. And, it will forever be one of my very favorites. The kids worked together for a common good. And they displayed a wonderful ability to take a biblical passage and understand it and convey their understanding.

Considering all the fighting and bickering they have been doing lately, this was such a fresh, unexpected joy. For an entire morning, my children got along, smiled at each other, listened to each other, and worshiped together.

It was easily one of the best worship services I have had in a very long time!

Praise be to God!

~Amen

St. LaPointe Lutheran Church is not a real ELCA congregation

We worshiped in our home

Advent Lutheran Church

Today we went to Advent Lutheran Church, where a good friend of the family happens to be the presiding minister, and another good friend sings and plays guitar. Our whole family was delighted to be going to this church for several reasons: First, we really love the pastor and his family & a member of the music team; Second, we felt like it was a sort of "homecoming" to be back in a Lutheran church; Third, the service we were attending was a contemporary worship service.

Advent did not fail to deliver. In fact, it far exceeded our expectations.

We were greeted warmly by everyone from the parking lot to the pew in the sanctuary. There is a really nice blend of generations in this church. We saw young families, young people, empty nesters and retirees. All of them were joy-full!

The music was contemporary Christian songs with simple accompaniment of a couple of guitars, a set of bongo drums and a tambourine. Our good friend in music was actually serving as the presiding Minister of Music/Music Leader. He did an outstanding job, creating an atmosphere of serenity, worship and praise, while allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our spirits and recharge us for service.

Pastor Myers' message was breathtaking. He held every one's attention- even my children's- during his entire talk. He spoke to us from sitting on a stool and, amazingly, used no notes.

The Eucharist was simple, yet very meaningful. The music during the Communion was soft and soothing.

When we were dismissed into the world and charged with the command to go and love our neighbors, we left with smiles, ready to accomplish our task. We all very much enjoyed the service, and I personally hope to go back and visit again soon.

I loved the Lutheran liturgy mixed with the contemporary music. I felt comfortable, welcomed and at home with the more casual-style service. Advent Lutheran Church is a wonderful church, which I would highly recommend for anyone to visit and with whom to worship.

~Amen

Advent Lutheran Church

2505 Manchester Pike

Murfreesboro, TN 37127

615-893-9705

http://www.theadventchurch.com/

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

Today we went to Good Shepherd in Madison, AL, on our way down to Florida. As we drove into the parking lot, we had a lady approach us to welcome us before we had ever gotten out of the car. To our surprise, she redirected us around the other side of the building. Apparently, the church parking lot we were in belonged to a "daughter" church of Good Shepherd, who was renting space in Good Shepherd until their own building was developed. (Talk about utilizing your space to the max!)


When we got around to the back, dozens of youth in teal shirts were swarming around at least seven big passenger vans. We were informed that 47 youth, and many adult supervisors, were going on a mission trip to East TN. Simultaneously, the church had two other mission trips to other places. All I could think was: If my home church had this many mission trips going on, there would be no one left in the church!


When we walked into the church, the immediate entrance was inviting and engaging. There were all sorts of people milling around and greeting one another and us. They had a small area set up very much like a cafe, with covered tables which had flowers in vases and condiment stations. Their church serves breakfast each Sunday. And I'm not just talking some donuts; they had bacon, eggs, biscuits & gravy, and a table loaded down with so many different kinds of pastries, my children's eyes were as big as saucers.


The minister of the younger children greeted us and took time getting to know my niece and my youngest daughter. She invited them to come in to her class, if they wanted to, during church. Had we pressed the issue, I think they would have gone. But we really wanted them to sit with us during church, so we thanked them and headed to the sanctuary.


There was a praise and worship band up front, who sang some wonderful songs, whose words were posted on a big screen up front. The back had a big glass window. When the room behind it turned on the light, we were able to see that it was a large room set up as a nursery/play room for children. The service was piped into the room so the parents could still enjoy the service.


There was also a glassed in balcony, for presumably the same purpose. From where we were, it almost looked like the balcony room could double as a meeting room of sorts.


A wonderful gymnasium was off the side of the sanctuary. The kids looked like they were ready to bolt through the door and just run. It looked like it was rather new, well-maintained, and well-used.


We sat down to worship behind all of the kids in the turquoise shirts, who were to receive a blessing before leaving for their mission trip. After some opening praise songs, one of the first things they did was pass the peace. We were greeted warmly by the people around us.


The sermon was about Moses and what an important figure he was in the bible. It was even proposed that he was the second most important figure, Jesus being the first, because he made the first covenant with God.


The worship band did a fabulous job of coming up with songs that tied into the Moses theme. In fact I was surprised by how many songs they were able to find! And they were well-suited for all ages, fun and up-tempo.


They did a wonderful picture/video presentation of their just-completed VBS. The kids from VBS all went up front in their VBS shirts and sang several songs from the week.


They blessed all of the mission trip volunteers, and blessed their journey. Then they spoke briefly about the offering: They do not pass around a basket. Instead, they have collection boxes in the back of the church, which they invite you to use for your offering, as you are so led. From the looks of their facility and the energy in the church, it did not appear as though they had any problems with this practice.


We sang some closing songs, and then were given a blessing. Afterwards, we were greeted by more people and made to feel welcome.


For this congregation, the energy was palpable. The room was actually buzzing and vibrating with the Holy Spirit. It was a definite testament to their love of the Lord.


When we left, we definitely felt (though sleep-deprived and weary from the drive) that we had worshiped God that morning. Many thanks to the kind folks at Good Shepherd for the wonderful worship!



~Amen!


Good Shepherd United Methodist Church


1418 Old Railroad Bend Road, Madison, AL 35757


PHONE 256-232-3331 • FAX 256-232-3306


http://www.gslife.org/

Mount Zion Baptist Church

Mount Zion Baptist Church is a multi-campus church, with over 22,000 members. We visited the Old Hickory campus with some friends. Before we ever stepped foot in the church, we were greeted warmly by everyone who passed by on their way in.

In the sanctuary, the baptismal font in the front has a beautiful stained glass dove descending right above the baptismal alcove. Large screens flanked the baptismal font that allowed announcements, video, song lyrics and other sorts of media to be broadcast out to the congregation.

Most impressive, though, was the musician's orchestra pit and choir. While I couldn't see all the instruments, I could hear at least two drum sets, a full brass section, guitars, keyboard and many others. Directly above the musicians was a choir whose every member, in my opinion, could be professional singers. They offered up a praise and worship service that had my seven-year-old declare, "The music is so loud it makes my bottom wiggle." And, indeed, the vibrations from the bass and drums wriggled all the way up my spine and I could not help but smile.

After the choir seated themselves, a gentleman greeted the congregation and welcomed the Bishop and his new wife, just back from their honeymoon. Several well-wishes from outlying Bishops were shown on the screens, and their newsletter/magazine, "The Trumpet" featured a large article about the newlyweds, focusing especially on The First Lady, Dr., Mrs. Stephanie Walker.

The gentleman in the front asked visitors to stand. Our family stood together and felt waves of welcome from the congregation, as well as the choir, who sang a complete (beautiful) song of welcome to us and the other visitors. After the song, we were hugged by at least half of the congregation, who made special trip across the aisles and the sanctuary just to make us feel welcome.

After another hymn of praise, the Bishop Joseph Walker stood to give his message. He was a very talented speaker. He was personable and engaging. And you could tell he was much beloved by his congregation.

He had written a book about his life with his first wife, who had died from cancer, and how the illness affected them both. My seven-year-old begged for a copy of the book.

Finally, we had one last hymn that was awesome, in the truest meaning of the word. Every person was lifting his or her voice to the Lord.

After service, we were greeted by more members and received more hugs and well-wishes. And, to my understanding, the Bishop was on his way to his second out of four sermons for that day.

This was certainly one of the most spirit-filled, joyful, hospitable churches I have ever had the privilege to visit. Many thanks to all of those wonderful people who made our visit so delightful!

~Amen

Mount Zion Baptist Church

(the campus we visited)

7594 Old Hickory Blvd., Whites Creek, TN 37189

(615) 254-7296

http://www.mtzionnashville.org/