Worship Thoughts

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A Wow Moment

I presided for March 30th’s service. Some say presiding is a piece of cake because all you do is sit there. Maybe so, but I think most of a presider’s responsibility comes before the service and trying to structure a service that will provide opportunities for the Spirit to work in those present.

I approach this with the same “insights” as I do with regular presentations…mix up the visuals and the participation. Not everyone is going to respond to the same thing. I always try to incorporate or make doable the suggested focus moment.

Today’s focus moment involved sharing a story about “The Handyman”.
The Handyman’s Philosophy
http://www.cofchrist.org/worship/Year_A/07-08/services/033008.asp#handyman

I took it and turned it into a skit/mini drama. I read a paragraph, another read the second paragraph, and I got someone to represent the handyman. I asked him to come in while the second reader was reading her paragraph. He had a wheelbarrow full of tools and a bag that represented a bag of groceries and then he read his part. While I read the last paragraph he left the sanctuary with his wheelbarrow.

As he rolled down the center aisle, the wheelbarrow proved to need oil or WD-40 real bad because it squeaked! Yet in a way it added to the effect. For the morning speaker it was that added bit which added to the meaning of the focus moment.

We had a prayer for peace, it was a beautiful prayer.

When our speaker got up he asked if everyone could feel the Spirit in the moment, people responded with a “yes”.

I know that I personally didn’t “plan” an emotional service. I always hope that whatever is planned that people will sense God’s presence. My hope for this service was that they would sense God’s peace, want to share it with others, and it would motivate them to action to doing things for peace in each others’ lives.

The Call to worship I used Section 163:2a and John 20:19-22.
Disciple’s Generous response I read a scripture from Matthew 25 which my hope was that people would tie in that when “you serve your fellow man, you are serving me” or “when you do this for the least of these you do it unto me”. I’m not sure if that was the best scripture choice but I was thinking when you share peace/comfort with others..you share comfort/peace with Christ. I guess I saw it as a call to action.

I am pleased that what happened out of all this, lives were touched in the service. My prayer is that they will feel God’s peace and share it with others and their community.

I am amazed at how God’s spirit works in a simple service to touch lives.
I know all I did was try to develop some visual and hearing experiences that would get folks to focus on the theme. God took care of everything else

patti