October 21st, 2007 - Episcopal / Lutheran Evening Service


I’ll bet have had the feeling or been in this mood. This was my third worship service of the day. There was a by-the-numbers quality to it that I wasn't feeling comfortable with at all. The same music was planned with a different liturgy and sermon than the morning services. Still it was our sophomore outing. The service did not begin with that ”What will happen?” question that was in most people’s mind the first time we worshipped together.

I was preoccupied by work which I had just completed. It was not a state for good worship. Then Reverend Julie, bless her, asked us to add a song that we hadn’t had a chance to practice for the Children’s Time and for the Sending called David's Song.

The musicians and congegation were still warming to the spirit of the song, that had a feel of Jewish celebration music to it and Reverend Julie began dancing when the lyrics of the song described dancing. She played the tambourine and the whole energy of the service lifted to another place for me.

It moved me out of my previous state of mind and I was able to listen the Pastor Dayle’s new sermon for the evening. She preached using the same gospel but offered different stories and examples. She was being cognizant of inclusion as she spoke about the widow and the unjust judge.

I appreciated what Pastor Dayle preached. She asked about justice for undocumented immigrants, for gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. To the latter she noted Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson’s voice was heard near and far. A gay priest in a committed relationship is now a bishop and how it has caused waves throughout the whole Anglican world.

"Justice usually causes waves!" she remarked and then gave an example of the ELCA, last summer taking a baby step when our bishops were counseled to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian clergy who are in committed relationships. She pointed out that there are many voices crying out for justice. Sometimes we are those voices and sometimes we are the unjust judge who does not want to take the time to hear,

As the service concluded I wondered what the next steps are in our joint journey with Holy Family. The next activity with them is the Harvest Festival.