Feb 8, 2017

Dear Saints,

Last week in worship, I encouraged and even challenged you to read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7.  Read it this week or even a few times over the next few weeks as we work our way through the sermon. Click here https://www.textweek.com/yeara/epipha5.htm. I hope we can join together in this endeavor.

This week in worship, as we continue to study this collection of Jesus’ teachings, we are changing up the order of things. We are moving the Passing of the Peace to a different place in the service – it will now follow our Confession and Assurance of Pardon.

Why?  As I’ve mentioned before, part of what we do on Sunday mornings is presence and practice.  We come into God’s presence and practice being with God and one another.  We confess who God is and who we are.  And we receive God’s forgiveness.  We reconcile with God and one another.  Then, we join together at the table where everyone is welcome; where everyone is fed.  We do these things in our sacred space so we can turn to Christ and each other again and again when we are not here.

We confess our brokenness and receive reconciliation with God.  From this assurance, we offer signs of reconciliation to one another as we exchange signs of Peace.

How? As we make this change, here are a few things to remember.  Passing the peace is a simple, sacred sign of reconciliation – May the Peace of Christ be with you.  And also with you. No need to catch up with everyone during this time.  There will be an opportunity for plenty of conversation after the service. Feel free to move around the sanctuary (or not). The goal, however, is not to greet every single person every Sunday.  Try to approach different congregants each week. You can even sit in different places of the sanctuary. I will be fun!  I look forward to sharing this special time with you in a new way.

May the Peace of Christ be with you today and always.

Love,

Laura