Church stuff

[dreamflower]

Today was potluck Sunday. I took a crockpot of hamhock and black-eyed peas, and am pleased to note there was not a smidge left at the end. I had lots of help in the kitchen today, and so I decided to sit at the opposite end of one of the tables (I usually sit near the kitchen, in case something is needed, like more ice or drinks or something). I got to talk to a family that I kind of know (well, the mom at least) but not very well, so that was fun, as we compared our "earthquake stories" such as they were...

But attendance was down at the potluck. Many of the families, especially those who have younger children have decided to go to one of the earlier services-- and they don't come back for the potluck, so there are a number of my church friends that I simply don't see anymore. *sigh* The extra service is a blessing in many ways, but it brings its own set of problems. There are two or three of those who have always gone to the first service who do come back, but those who come to the one in the middle don't.

We have communion also on the first Sunday of the month, and one of the things that always touches me is our Prayer of Confession just before. The one we had this Sunday seemed especially appropriate for our times:

"Merciful God, your Son gave us a new commandment; love one another. We confess that, again and again, we have broken that commandment: through our selfish love for wealth that blinds us to the sight of your poor; thorugh our obsessive desire for security that dearens us tto the cries of those who live daily with violence and oppression; throught our silence in the face of injustice that leaves us feeling powerless and ashamed. Help us show everyone that we are disciples of Jesus Christ by how much we love. Amen."

Comments

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

That is a beautiful prayer, Barbara.

Glad you got to visit with some new friends at the potluck, but sorry about the ones who aren't coming any more. Change is rarely fun when it means we see less of the people we love and/or care about.

[telperion1.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot for sharing the prayer, Barbara. It was a salve to a weary soul. I will admit that I have been turned off by organized religion lately, and the most I do in normal observance is an occasional weekday mass on campus. Part of it is the kind of thing I blogged about earlier tonight (thanks for the comment, btw! Will reply tomorrow), and part of it is just a cyclical thing where I am more or less drawn to that kind of event. On the other hand, my life these days is in many way the modern-day monasticism, so I may be forgiven on not making it to church too often as well.

Anyway, I really liked hearing about your experience. Too bad about the split-service thing. When the church I grew up in had to do that, I believe they moved to a potluck brunch, between the two services, rather than a lunch afterward. Don't know if it would work for your church, but it might be worth exploring if you are in a position to make such suggestions.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely prayer.

I hope your church can find a way to work out a common meal for everyone... after-church ones are definitely convenient but perhaps a Sunday evening or Saturday evening one now and then would help?

[harrowcatliz.livejournal.com]

I do love hearing about your 'church stuff'. Pot luck suppers sound like good fun. It is hard to be in charge and find time to talk to people so I am glad that you are able to do it. Lovely prayer.

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

Amen. :)

I am so far behind on flist, see? :P I didn't know you had an earthquake. I really hope it didn't do too much damage. Are you and your family unharmed by it, and your friends?

I know what you mean about people switching services and not coming back. It's sad but it always happens. We have a great pastor in the church I belong to. I know him from Oslo where he and the other leaders at that church created a "revolution" with three services each Sunday. One traditional (albeit low-key one), a worship service that was often described as the youth service (lots of students and younger people went there) and one more quiet evening service. It was a great success but the congregation was always made up of young people who only went there for a few years so the coming and going was inevitable.