August 31st, 2008 – Names and Relationships
Pastor Amanda Wilson presided over the service today. Her name may not be familiar to everyone who perhaps know her better as Creator’s former intern - Vicar Amanda. Pastor Al was the Assisting Minister for this service and Team Light was the volunteer Spiritworks team.
Pastor Amanda Wilson presided over the service today. Her name may not be familiar to everyone who perhaps know her better as Creator’s former intern - Vicar Amanda. Pastor Al was the Assisting Minister for this service and Team Light was the volunteer Spiritworks team.
Pastor Al went through the announcements and took time to talk about the evening service last week with Holy Family. The impression it made on him was evident. He wanted the Creator community at large to be aware of what had happened as well.
The liturgy was from Call Us Home. Kelly and David lead and performed the music that captured a strong sense how the community was gathering together to praise God.
A few visitors from her current church, Ascension Lutheran, attended to see Amanda preach and to worship at church that Pastor Amanda refers to in her sermons on occasion.
As with Pastor Christian, there was a shared joy and the experience of picking up and continuing the journey for those who were at Creator when she was an intern here. She opened with how great it was to be back at Creator for this worship.
Her sermon was about what is in a name and, as it was linked to the Gospel reading, Pastor Amanda suggested the question of identity and mission were intertwined. She preached specifically on Matthew 16:23:
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Amanda took a Sufism class and said she learned the concept of Satan to them revolved around ego. “Congregations have egos too” Amanda observed. She went on to talk about the delicate balance of ego in regards to mission. There must be enough ego to discern mission and trust that it can be done but not too much that God's purpose and presence is lost in the work.
She ended with the phrase “Shine that light”. When Amanda was here we talked frequently about not keeping the light within hidden under a bushel as we are tempted to do. She passed a long a strong love for liturgy I previously had not felt and opened a new understanding for me of the drama, mystery and beauty that Creator has continued to cultivate.
Another worship that felt special and important.
A few visitors from her current church, Ascension Lutheran, attended to see Amanda preach and to worship at church that Pastor Amanda refers to in her sermons on occasion.
As with Pastor Christian, there was a shared joy and the experience of picking up and continuing the journey for those who were at Creator when she was an intern here. She opened with how great it was to be back at Creator for this worship.
Her sermon was about what is in a name and, as it was linked to the Gospel reading, Pastor Amanda suggested the question of identity and mission were intertwined. She preached specifically on Matthew 16:23:
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Amanda took a Sufism class and said she learned the concept of Satan to them revolved around ego. “Congregations have egos too” Amanda observed. She went on to talk about the delicate balance of ego in regards to mission. There must be enough ego to discern mission and trust that it can be done but not too much that God's purpose and presence is lost in the work.
She ended with the phrase “Shine that light”. When Amanda was here we talked frequently about not keeping the light within hidden under a bushel as we are tempted to do. She passed a long a strong love for liturgy I previously had not felt and opened a new understanding for me of the drama, mystery and beauty that Creator has continued to cultivate.
Another worship that felt special and important.
posted by Gary at
10:43 AM
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