I turn my head to the left often in Church because this is what I see. Today we toasted our past, present and future as we ate lunch together. We have hope and it reminded me of how earlier in church we sang this hymn that I feel is our theme song these past couple years...Shout To The North
Men of faith rise up and sing
Of the great and glorious King
You are strong when you feel week
In your brokenness complete
Shout to the North and the South
Sing to the East and the West
Jesus is saviour to all
Lord of Heaven and earth
Rise up women of the truth
Stand and sing to broken hearts
Who can know the healing power
Of our awesome King of love?
Shout...
We've been through fire, we've been through rain
We've been refined by the power of Your name
We've fallen deeper in love with You
You've burned the truth on our lips
Shout...
Rise up church with broken wings
Fill this place with songs again
Of our God who reigns on high
By His grace again we'll fly
Shout...
Listen to it by the man who was moved to compose it... Robin Mark
and finally I have been reflecting on Matthew 28: 16-20 this past week, and that is because a wonderful small group of friends are willing to show up when I ask for messages, like the one printed below, to be sent to the congregation... all are invited.
STARTING THIS MONDAY...
The adult study group will gather on Mondays this year at 6:30 pm. I recently received a copy of A Well-Built Faith by Joe Paprocki. A book published by Loyola Press, a Jesuit press in Chicago. The very same press that published My Life With The Saints by James Martin, S.J.
A Well-Built Faith is designed for Catholics, who teach catechism classes, but in reading it I saw how it could promote some interesting discussion. We are a varied group of folk, who have arrived at Holy Trinity at this time in our journey. It will give us a chance to explore what we have in common with each other and with Catholics (some diferences will surely arise... I am sure some Lutheran thoughts still arise in my brain). One change for this year will be that we will meet every other week, not specific weeks of the month as we did last year.
The book ends each chapter with three items, which will center our class. A Bible passage given for further reflection on the theme (I have extended some to include complete passages), a prayer which will end our time together, and a section Paprocki calls, "So What--- What difference does it make that Catholics believe in...?" I will use this section to pose a question to lead us into a time of personal reflection. All are welcomed to attend. Again we will gather at 6:30 in the office area.
Here is the schedule for the first 6 weeks:
September 8th--- Matthew 28: 16-20 How Did You Become A Christian?
September 22nd--- Exodus 3: 1-6 How has God been revealed to you?
October 6th--- 2 Timothy: 3: 14-17 How has the tradition of your church shaped you?
October 20th --- Matthew 3: 13-17 What Does the Holy Trinity mean to you?
November 3rd --- Romans 8: 31-39 How has Jesus, in his conquering death, strenghtened your faith?
Novemeber 17th--- Revelation 21: 1- 8 Perhaps the greatest mystery... How has your journey shaped your view of life after death? plus some thoughts on Mary.
