dar334

This morning Jim and I had the pleasure of sitting in the Robinson Chapel for early worship service.  Forty one years ago today we stood at the altar in the Robinson Chapel and repeated our marriage vows to each other in front of our family and a few close friends.

Considering the way Jim felt from the chemo he received on Wednesday, it was truly a blessing he was able to attend this morning.  The first Sunday of every month is communion Sunday, unless Pastor is unable to attend.  I’ve done a lot of reading in the Bible, aka The Instruction Book, and I’ve seen several references by a few different people, including Jesus Christ, directing us on how we should view communion.  Just recently I copied a portion of a study note for 1 Corinthians 11:24-34, it read as follows:  Eating the bread and drinking the cup shows we are remembering Christ’s death for us and renewing our commitment to serve him.  With my inability to stay focused and the little distractions like the banners not be straight at the front of the church, or thinking about the picture of Jesus at the front of the altar and the remarks that have been made during Disciple Study that Jesus may not have been a white man or the fact that it’s just a picture of what someone thought Jesus looked like, I struggled to concentrate on the correct frame of mind to receive communion.  I will admit that I’m not one of the people who enjoy singing more than one hymn during worship, but I do remember reading in The Instruction Book that God likes worship through music and singing so that’s enough for me to sing along to the best of my ability.  (Our music director assured me that it doesn’t matter what our singing voice is like, when it reaches God it is beautiful)

My writing today isn’t about singing, it isn’t about cancer, it isn’t about my wedding anniversary, but it is about worship.  I can’t emphasize enough the amount of knowledge four years of Disciple Study has given me, but I’m humble enough to know I have a lot yet to learn.   I struggled through the writings of Paul, and after five years I can honestly admit that I kinda sorta get what he’s saying.  He spent most of his time spreading the Word one way or another beyond the Promised Land.  After all, that’s one of the reasons Jesus came into the world, so everyone could be saved through Grace.  Even me.  Even you.

Which brings me to my point.  Jesus traveled all through the Promised Land teaching the Word of God.  People followed him waiting to hear what he had to say.  They sat hour after hour listening to Him.  I haven’t read once that they decided they had heard enough and it was time for Jesus to stop talking so they could get on with their day.  After Jesus ascended to heaven, it was the disciples job to spread the good news of Jesus.  Paul spent the rest of his life teaching and working on starting the church.   He gave instructions on building a following and pastoring to it.  Not once have I read, in The Instruction Book, how long a service should be.  Not.  Once.  There is nothing on a time frame.  Nowhere.  Nothing.

In closing, our church has had some complaints about the service running long.  Of course the blame is placed on the Pastor.  It is my understanding that he is even being timed.  It is my understanding some have gone to his superior.  It is my understanding that some have even threatened to leave the church because they had to sit there too long.  This all leads to my observations.  It has been my observation that the ones doing the complaining are the ones that have been in church a long time.  Some even grew up in this church.  They raised their children in church.  I also haven’t seen them in any of the studies offered at our church.  Our Pastor, any Pastor, is at that pulpit because it isn’t Jesus Christ’s time yet to come back for us.  And from what I see, we aren’t ready, we still have a lot to learn.  I wonder if those who are watching the clock have learned it all; they have been there a lot longer than I have.  I wonder if I will ever get to the point where I don’t need to learn anymore, I wonder when all I will have to do is watch the clock.  I wonder when all the complaining about petty things will send me looking for another church.

Always pondering,

dar