This weekend our worship services will include prayers of commissioning and dedication for our education and music ministry volunteers and leaders, prayers of remembrance of 9/11/2001, and Holy Communion. At least one leader has considered that a peculiar combination of liturgical actions, so here's a glimpse at why I deem it helpful, if not necessary, to combine these in each service.
People who live in faith do not accept what is as final. Because of our confidence in God we have hope for a new day, assurance that defeat can yield to new beginnings, trust that life and love lead us through brokenness into wholeness, and conviction that reconciliation can link what seems permanently severed. It takes courage to live like that. It also demands action. As people of faith, we do not trust solely in our own devices, but we stand accountable for the ways we respond to the gifts of God.
We will light candles and have guided prayers of remembrance of 9/11/2001 not to deny or relive the horror of that day, but to express our confidence that God leads us through those painful images of death and destruction into life and community. We will pray, hoping that grace and the Spirit's embrace have brought healing to those most affected by the tragedy. We will pray, longing for a day when ways of peace, justice, and reconciliation will render such violence and hatred uncommon.
Prior to our acts of remembrance, we will dedicate and commission our volunteers and leaders. We educate our children because we long for the gospel and love of Jesus to shape who they are. We have programs for and ministries with our youth because we want them to learn to hear and discern the voice of God amidst the other voices that call for them. We study together because we recognize our need to be formed and reformed. We make music because some prayers and praises need melody more than words. In our less than perfect world and with our less than perfect lives we stretch to touch what we cannot reach. We do what we can, aware that although we will fall short in many places, goodness and mercy will seek us, find us, and fill our lives with wonder.
Then we will come to the Lord's Table and feast on the gifts of God for the people of God. Holy Communion reminds us and proclaims that life overcomes death, light drives back darkness, holiness pervades the ordinary, love transforms hatred, and even sin finds One before whom it must bow. At the Table, solemn remembrance opens to the joyful feast of God's presence.
We live surrounded by brokenness, but we believe that wholeness most shapes us. So we do not fear remembering, we have the courage to respond to God's call in Jesus, and we find sufficient strength in the gifts God provides. That sounds like reason enough to worship. I hope to see you there.
Grace and Peace,
LP
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