Summer 2021 NEWS
Summer Worship Series: the FRUIT of the SPIRIT
22By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things.
Galatians 5:22-23
There is no law against such things.
Galatians 5:22-23
Beginning on Sunday, June 6th, we will enter into a ten-week Summer Worship Series based on the Apostle Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) which he shares with the Galatian church in Galatians 5:22-23.
We will explore how these nine ways of being in the world can be beneficial not only for those who practice them, but also for the communities in which they live, work, worship and play.
As I have been preparing for this series, one thing that continues to stand out for me is that none of these behaviors, or virtues (or whatever we want to call them) is particularly Christian. Or, to put it another way, Christianity has not cornered the market on these nine ‘fruits’. It seems rather clear to me that they are universally valued across cultures, religions and geographical regions— which then begs the question: Can the Holy Spirit move and work beyond our limited expectations and perceived constraints to accomplish the Creator’s will inside and outside the bounds of Christianity, or even organized religion in general?
How we answer this question has profound implications for how we think about ourselves as Christians in a religiously diverse and pluralistic world. To assist us in exploring this idea, I will attempt to draw wisdom and insights from a variety of sources, including theologians, poets, artists, and deep thinkers inside and outside of the Christian tradition.
One of the sources I plan to use is a book entitled Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. I invite you all to consider joining me in adding this book to your summer reading list. In Holy Envy, the author reflects on her years teaching world religions in a college setting. Quoting Father James Martin from the back of the book:
“By turns inspiring, enchanting, and provocative, Taylor reminds us that God is bigger than any one religion. Prepare to be surprised and, best of all, to come to know God in a new way.”
Let’s think of Holy Envy as a companion piece to our summer exploration of the fruit of the Spirit. If there is interest, we will provide opportunities outside of Sunday mornings for folks to gather on occasion for discussion about the book and the ideas, questions and insights contained within.
I am looking forward to going on this summer journey together with all of you!
Peace (one of the fruits!),
Pastor David
We will explore how these nine ways of being in the world can be beneficial not only for those who practice them, but also for the communities in which they live, work, worship and play.
As I have been preparing for this series, one thing that continues to stand out for me is that none of these behaviors, or virtues (or whatever we want to call them) is particularly Christian. Or, to put it another way, Christianity has not cornered the market on these nine ‘fruits’. It seems rather clear to me that they are universally valued across cultures, religions and geographical regions— which then begs the question: Can the Holy Spirit move and work beyond our limited expectations and perceived constraints to accomplish the Creator’s will inside and outside the bounds of Christianity, or even organized religion in general?
How we answer this question has profound implications for how we think about ourselves as Christians in a religiously diverse and pluralistic world. To assist us in exploring this idea, I will attempt to draw wisdom and insights from a variety of sources, including theologians, poets, artists, and deep thinkers inside and outside of the Christian tradition.
One of the sources I plan to use is a book entitled Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. I invite you all to consider joining me in adding this book to your summer reading list. In Holy Envy, the author reflects on her years teaching world religions in a college setting. Quoting Father James Martin from the back of the book:
“By turns inspiring, enchanting, and provocative, Taylor reminds us that God is bigger than any one religion. Prepare to be surprised and, best of all, to come to know God in a new way.”
Let’s think of Holy Envy as a companion piece to our summer exploration of the fruit of the Spirit. If there is interest, we will provide opportunities outside of Sunday mornings for folks to gather on occasion for discussion about the book and the ideas, questions and insights contained within.
I am looking forward to going on this summer journey together with all of you!
Peace (one of the fruits!),
Pastor David
2021 Annual Congregational Meeting Recap
Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 6, 2021 after worship. We voted and approved the 2021-2022 fiscal budget, church council slate and became a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
We reflected on the past year and looked ahead to the challenges and opportunities that face us in the year ahead. Thank you to everyone for participating in the online edition of the annual meeting.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 6, 2021 after worship. We voted and approved the 2021-2022 fiscal budget, church council slate and became a Reconciling in Christ congregation.
We reflected on the past year and looked ahead to the challenges and opportunities that face us in the year ahead. Thank you to everyone for participating in the online edition of the annual meeting.
Technical Director volunteers needed
ChristChurch is looking for additional Technical Director volunteers to assist with Sunday morning worship. The Technical Director acts as the Zoom host for online worship. They share the slides during worship, song videos and assist Pastor David online as needed.
Hardware needs:
• Two monitors (recommended)
• Good Wi-Fi speed or hard-wired computer
• Reasonable video processor
Software needs:
• Zoom account (free account works great)
• PDF viewer
• Microsoft Office (preferred)
• Ability to download worship elements (music video, script, PowerPoint or PDF)
• Video player to play MP3 or .Mov files: QuickTime, Windows Media Player, VLC
Volunteer hours:
Sundays from 8:50am until end of worship at 10:30am.
What does the Technical Director do?
1. Prior to worship download worship elements from Google Docs Online Worship Elements and open:
• PowerPoint slides
• Worship songs
• Script
2. Sign on at 8:50am with Pastor David to conduct sound checks and go over details for the service that morning.
3. Open Zoom online worship ‘doors’ from 9:00am to 9:30am
4. During Worship follow the script. Share screen to:
• Share PowerPoint slides or PDF of the slides
• Share song videos (click share audio and video buttons on share prescreen)
• Mute worshippers as required
• ‘Spotlight’ Pastor when needed
• Screen for Zoom “bombers”
We are looking for multiple Technical Directors and are happy to train you. If you are interested, please email Admin@comchristchurch.org and Rachael will assist with next steps.
ChristChurch is looking for additional Technical Director volunteers to assist with Sunday morning worship. The Technical Director acts as the Zoom host for online worship. They share the slides during worship, song videos and assist Pastor David online as needed.
Hardware needs:
• Two monitors (recommended)
• Good Wi-Fi speed or hard-wired computer
• Reasonable video processor
Software needs:
• Zoom account (free account works great)
• PDF viewer
• Microsoft Office (preferred)
• Ability to download worship elements (music video, script, PowerPoint or PDF)
• Video player to play MP3 or .Mov files: QuickTime, Windows Media Player, VLC
Volunteer hours:
Sundays from 8:50am until end of worship at 10:30am.
What does the Technical Director do?
1. Prior to worship download worship elements from Google Docs Online Worship Elements and open:
• PowerPoint slides
• Worship songs
• Script
2. Sign on at 8:50am with Pastor David to conduct sound checks and go over details for the service that morning.
3. Open Zoom online worship ‘doors’ from 9:00am to 9:30am
4. During Worship follow the script. Share screen to:
• Share PowerPoint slides or PDF of the slides
• Share song videos (click share audio and video buttons on share prescreen)
• Mute worshippers as required
• ‘Spotlight’ Pastor when needed
• Screen for Zoom “bombers”
We are looking for multiple Technical Directors and are happy to train you. If you are interested, please email Admin@comchristchurch.org and Rachael will assist with next steps.