Last Sunday we finished the 4 week worship series on "The Heart of Mennonite Worship." It has felt like a rich series of exploring the meaning and purpose of worship. The series also included a baptism service for 2 of our youth and a meaningful time of communion. Last Sunday we sang our way through our SJMC music history from the Church Hymnal and Life Songs II (amazing octet!) to more recent hymnals and supplements (Hymnal: A Worship Book, Sing the Journey, Sing the Story) to jumping up and down for "Allelulia, praise ye the Lord" to Bryan Moyer Suderman songs to songs from Africa and South America. We have a rich musical heritage that continues to sustain us and challenge us. I am so thankful for the spirit of worship here at SJMC that draws on rich resources and foundations and yet is so open the new moving of the Spirit. This is a creative, adventuresome and grounded place where we meet and are surprised by God in so many ways. We have much to be thankful for.
For our last adult Sunday School class tomorrow morning (probably before anyone actually reads this... but please continue to ponder anyways), we want to review the series by reflecting on the 4 questions we gave one person each Sunday to share for 3 minutes. Take time to read these questions and ask how you would answer each of them. They were answered by Rebbecca Seiling, Curt Shoemaker, Ryan Martin and Ruth Bauman in provocative and engaging ways in the last 4 Sundays. If you any responses, feel free to add to the comments section below. We would love to hear what you think?
1. What happens to your spirit as you experience worship?
2. How does worship form and transform you?
3. What makes the Mennonite Church your worship home?
4. What happens to your spirit as you sing congregational songs in worship?
Mark Diller Harder
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