Early Church

We had our first early worship service with its newer format last week. The newer format doesn't fit neatly under a label. It's not fully contemporary, instead of a weekly praise band we will probably be led to sing accompanied by a single guitar. We are trying to introduce more media into the service, through movie clips, talking points, and photos, but still find songs where people can open a hymn book with newer choruses if they choose. Last week had a few rough spots, but early service often finds a few hiccups in the worship service order and honestly, it's one of the things I love about early service!! The gathering who meets for early service gives a wide berth of latitude for those little inconsistencies, and they seemed more than willing to accept the growing pains of an evolving service. Church has been evolving since man’s inception of religion. By assembling at tabernacles, Holy of Holies, mountain tops, tent revivals, home churches, cathedrals, open air, chapels, stadium-sized auditoriums, riverbanks, and 930 West Avenue B - all have tried to find their way to offer meaningful worship and provide a community of believers a place to gather to grow in fellowship, study and mission. We are not at such a different place in discovery than the early church fathers that grappled with decisions of how to share the Word in a changing world.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Why do we find it so hard to remain in your presence? We have found more places to hide, more activities to distract, and more priorities to hold tightly. We think you must be as disoriented as we are and we try to arrange a common meeting place. Where can we find God? How will we recognize God? How will God know who we are? We cannot comprehend your totality. You are somewhere, you are everywhere. The tools and methods we use adjust to the changing world, but our desire to offer praise and worship is as ancient as the first conversation with Adam, the covenants with Noah and Abraham, and the devotion of the first disciples. Our desire to offer praise and worship is as present as our breath. Let us be joined in worship! Amen.