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Worship With Us

June, and the rest of the summer, offers you more opportunities for worship times and venues as we continue with services at Calvary, in the chapel on Saturday at 5 PM and in the sanctuary on Sunday at 9 AM. Then, if the outdoors appeals to you, Indian Shores hosts our campground crew with worship at 9 AM and Clear Lake campground at 10. Campground worship has a variety of lay leaders and an occasional retired pastor.

On the 5th of June we celebrate PENTECOST, the coming of the Holy Spirit with the fire of faith and the breath of life. We will be celebrating a baptism of our own that day and First Communions.

For many in the northern hemisphere summer is a season of vacation. Warm weather and abundant growth make for an ideal time to experience the great outdoors. School breaks and relaxed work schedules offer opportunities to visit family and friends, and to host guests at home. Some travel farther afield, seeking adventures abroad. The lectionary texts this summer offer themes related to these experiences.

Among them are the themes of Hospitality and Hosting. Jesus sends the disciples out to preach the gospel, instructing them to be guests in the homes of others. Abram and Sarai host strangers who prove to be angels; that theme is repeated in
Hebrews later in the season. Martha works to host Jesus and his disciples, complaining that her sister Mary doesn’t do her share. We can explore the power dynamics inherent in offering and receiving hospitality. What can it mean that God chooses to act in the role of guest and calls on believers to do the same? Do our churches anticipate the visits of angels in disguise? How do we ensure that everyone, guest and host alike, has access to “the better part” (Luke 10:42)?

The pivotal question “Who is my neighbor?” is answered by the parable of the good Samaritan in a surprising way. We may consider where we as Christian people succeed in embracing Jesus’ broad definition of neighbor and where we still fall short. We can consider how to answer what it means to be “one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). What work might our communities need to do to be able to see each person as neighbor? Do our worship practices, table fellowship, and neighborhood involvement build up barriers or tear them down? When breakdowns in community occur, are there pathways to forgiveness and restoration? Acknowledging the realities of our sinful world, what challenges might we not be able to overcome this side of heaven? Enjoy the summer and give your attention to the wonders of this life provided for you.