March 8th, 2009 – Table Worship

Creator was shaken out of a "worship complacency" during Sunday service when we found ourselves seated in chairs around tables with the altar in the center.

The sanctuary was set up for Sunday evening’s Backpack Buddies Benefit Dessert concert. The altar was in the middle of the sanctuary and Pastor Dayle and Joe, the Assisting Minister, did not wear albs. This all contributed to an encompassing nature in the worship where there was little separation between the congregation and those presiding.

We were focused on what was essential to us for worship because we were asked to write or draw this out on paper. Pastor Dayle asked at the end if all that was essential to worship for us had been given to us during the worship.

It reminded me how unique worship at Creator has been for me. So many members are given, find or continue to pray for a vitality that demonstrates how important worship is for them.

In the sermon Pastor Dayle preached on the importance of naming in the story of faith from the readings in Geness 17 and Romans 4 where Abram (exalted father) is called Abraham (father of all nations) and Sarai (my princess) is called Sarah (Princess). God makes life fruitful and possible from barren impossibility. When God makes this covenant Sarah laughs, reacting to the impossiblity and impracticality and craziness of what is promised.

It was meaningful, thoughtful, nurturing worship.