Second Vibrant Word Service Held


Worshippers gather on a Saturday night to mark Epiphany BY KATHY SCHMIED


Vibrant Word is our way of offering unique ways for members of all generations to learn, lead, and worship together. Tis experiment in innovative worship continued with a Saturday-night service on January 4, when about 60 people gathered to experience Epiphany, the time when the wise ones followed the star to see God’s promised Son.


What was unique? Worshippers ranging in age from 9 months to 85 years sat around tables and talked with one another throughout the message. (Understandably, the 9-month-old’s 4-year-old brother may have been a bit more on topic!) All voices at the table had something to say related to questions that guided our response to the scripture. What is God saying? What does it mean? Why is it important? How will I live differently?


Te ancient travelers who heard the angel’s charge in their dream were astronomers. Tey wandered the desert of Fellowship Hall, consulting their star maps and using telescopes to stay the course as they sought the holy family. Te Magi, visually reflecting then and now, brought traditional and contemporary gifts to the young Jesus:


WHAT IS VIBRANT WORD?


The Vibrant Word service was conceived to involve all ages of our faith community in learning and worshipping together in a variety of formats that are different from our customary services.


The approach is creative, even experimental, envisioned with confidence that God and our First Presbyterian community will


embrace the good intentions of worship planners and leaders, and offer grace if they missed a mark!


Each of the four Vibrant Word services that have been or will be held during this worship year is designed to be unique. Every individual has a personal image of what worship looks, sounds, and feels like. Regardless, most worshippers seek a personal


connection with God and long to hear God’s message to them.


This is the key principle around which Vibrant Word is designed— creating an experience that allows worshippers to be immersed in hearing God’s Word, identifying a personal response, and feeling compelled to live out that response in daily life.


9


gold, frankincense, myrrh, diapers, hand sanitizer, and baby toys. Why? Because just like the wise ones of old, we continue to seek Jesus to worship Him.


Te music and artwork reminded us of the long, rugged journey and the faithfulness of those journeyers intent on reaching the new King and bowing down to worship him—as well as our own personal journeys bringing us closer to Christ.


We created our own stars, committed to bringing a personal gift of self to Jesus, and hung our star gifts on the trees. We were charged with “going home a different way” just as the wise ones did, living our lives with the knowledge that we are changed because Christ lives in each of us. Te star word that each of us chose from the manger gave us pause as we considered its personal significance.


Following our time of worship, we enjoyed a heartfelt time of conversation and fellowship over soup, salad, bread, and starry-night cupcakes!


Plan to attend the next Vibrant Word worship on Maundy Tursday, April 9, and discover what is so vibrant about it!


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12