Bringing Worshippers


Together Face Time allows traditional and alternative services to enjoy shared benediction and fellowship outdoors BY JOHN ROWLEY


Te summer schedule at church has always been adjusted to accommodate vacations or fair-weather plans. Tis year, a new twist was added that provided an opportunity for members of both the traditional and alternative services to mix and mingle as a community.


Both alternative services were combined at 9:45 a.m. and the traditional service also met at that time. At the conclusion of these services, the church family from both venues met outside under big tents on the back lawn for a joint benediction. We were encouraged to discuss with others a response to the message of the day and questions we were challenged to think about. A variety of activities contributed to thinking about the message or the various ways God calls us each day and throughout our lives.


Being good Presbyterians, we of course had delicious food to snack on along with the creative optional activities to enjoy in fellowship with others. Our children took over the adjoining playground while adults from both services dialed up their Face Time together. It was a special summer for us all.


QUESTIONS POSED DURING FACE TIME


At each Sunday’s summer Face Time, worshippers were asked to ponder a question grounded in the day’s message. Lois Henseler of the Vibrant Faith/Creating a Culture of Calling team built magnetic message boards where people could post answers. Magnetic words that some chose were joyful, others evocative, and others sad.


One of the first questions was “What are you waiting for?” Answers included “Peace,” “Inspiration,” “New full-time job,” “Feeling at home,” “Letter from daughter,” and “Grief to end.”


Other questions included these, which continue to be worth pondering:


• What prevents you from reaching out to people outside your comfort zone?


• What God-Sighting or God-Sounding have you had lately?


• What do you want to be when you grow up?


• What’s one small thing that you think God might want you to do this week?


• What might God be calling you to take on?


• What gifts do you have to bring to Jesus and his mission to the world?


• What fear holds you back from having your greatest impact for the Lord?


• When it comes to dealing with the issues of the day, what do you need the most: serenity, courage, or wisdom?


• Which are you more of, a Mary or a Martha? What might it take for your underdeveloped side to catch up with the other side?


THANKS, ENDOWMENT FUND


First Presbyterian’s Endowment Fund helps support many of the ministries, activities, and worship practices that are carried out by our church. Thanks go to the many members who participate in contributing to this important part of our church mission.


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