Throughout our discussion of 1 John we’ll be spending a lot of time reading large chunks of the Bible out loud together. This straightforward practice has long been a part of the Jewish and Christian tradition.
To understand what this tradition is, and why it can be so potent, check out this video from the Bible project.
If you want to know more about this practice and where it came from, you can listen to their three-part podcast “How to Read the Bible.” Here’s how they describe the episode:
Tim and Jon discuss the differences in ancient and modern ways of reading scripture, including why the Hebrew people would read scripture together as a group. The guys also talk about how challenging it can be to read the Bible by yourself.
The camping trip is meant to be an “extended Sabbath.” Come early, stay late and relax.
This is an informal camping trip. Everything is “BYO”. Bring your own food, water, tent, etc. But remember, it’s nice to share!Camping may not be your thing. That’s okay! Please consider coming out on Saturday to spend the day with our community.
The only scheduled time will be Saturday at 6pm when we’ll have dinner and Liturgy together. Dinner is provided.
This is an all ages and all species trip! Human and fur babies are welcome.
Palmetto State Park features fishing holes, paddle boats, places to swim and more, so have fun! Life is busy and we don’t always have time to dig into important things. This is a great time to hear someone’s life story, catch up on a book, or focus on praying with others.
John Chandler begins our Easter season readings with 1 John 1.
Resources/Quotes:
“Faith in this proclaimed ‘life,’ life that was with the Father and appeared in this world in an audible and tangible fashion (see 1 John 1:1-4), establishes communion between believers and the triune God and thus also among believers themselves.” — Miroslav Volf
“God invites us into fellowship. God does not invite just me, or you, but God invites all into community with God and with one another. If I walk alone, then I walk in darkness, but when we walk together with God, we walk in a light of joy and fellowship.” — Debra Carl Freeman
We celebrate Easter with churches around the world. We’ll join them in reading 1 John together for the next six weeks in liturgy and community groups.
The beautiful message of 1 John might be difficult for some of us to read. Much of the language sounds ‘churchy’ and might remind us of how religious language has been used to divide and exclude people.
But it was originally written as an invitation to what resurrection life looks like in Jesus’ community of followers. We hope it can be an invitation for us as well.
Here are two ways we can prepare for our time in 1 John together:
1) Take a deep breath…take as many as you need. Ask God to open your mind and heart through the words of the early teaching on love in the resurrection community in the coming weeks.
2) Watch this video. It is a brief but thorough overview of what the message of 1 John is.
John Chandler guides our celebration of resurrection with a sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
Resources/Quotes:
“For us, you see, the church is not just another institution. It’s a failing but never quite failed attempt, by limited people, to perpetuate the unlimited generosity of God in the world. It’s built, of all things, on a pun. I said “embodies” and the word is exact. The church is a body that wants to be a body. That is, it’s a corpus, a corporation, a “body” of people in the sense of being a gathered crowd of them, which aspires to be, to carry on from, to keep alive and present and breathing, the literal corporeal body of Jesus, equipped with two arms and two legs and probably the beard and quite possibly the bad teeth, in first-century Palestine.” — Francis Spufford in Unapologetic
A short song, followed by a moment of silence and a prayer. The Call to Worship reorients us to God’s presence already among us.
Singing
We sing together, expressing our hearts and our hopes. You can join by standing, singing along or contemplating.
Prayer of Confession
Confession is a moment to honestly reveal our shortcomings, frustrations, hopes and pains. The leader will read the prayer, and we reply in unison.
Announcements
Church is not just an event on Sunday, it’s a community. This time invites us to participate in the full life that we share throughout the week.
Passing of the Peace
An extended break to check in or get more acquainted with each other. And also drink coffee.
Sermon
A proclamation of the good news of Jesus and his kingdom, either from the church staff, others within the community or our friends beyond.
Prayers of the People
A brief opportunity to share our prayer request and thanksgivings with the community, enabling us to pray and check in all week long.
Eucharist
The center of our Liturgy, meaning “give thanks.” We give thanks for Jesus’s life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and coming kingdom. All are welcome. The elements are gluten and alcohol free so that all may participate.
Offering
A reminder that nothing in this life is ours. Regular attenders are encouraged to give financially.
Benediction
A final prayer that sends us into the world to spread the peace of Jesus.
We encourage children of all ages to participate in our liturgy. Here are a few ideas to help your child connect with what’s happening during liturgy:
BEFORE LITURGY
Explain to kids that we are going to pray, sing, and worship God together. Build expectation that the time we spend in liturgy is special.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Even the youngest children can become aware of God’s presence. Invite them to take a deep breath, still themselves, and sense that God is with us.
SONGS
Encourage kids to sing along or respond to the music with their bodies by dancing.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Kids older than infants know what it means to say they’re sorry. Tell children the time of confession is when we all tell God we’re sorry for the things we’ve done to hurt God and other people.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Invite children to listen for events they might want to participate in.
SERMON AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
If your child is more comfortable staying with you, activity kits are available on the kids’ info table.
EUCHARIST
Throughout the prayers before and after Eucharist, explain to your children what the bread and wine symbolizes. Ask them to tell Jesus thank you for his sacrifice for us. Children are welcome to participate in Eucharist with their families.
OFFERING
Kids can help pass the baskets or even begin learning to give back to God by placing some money in.
BENEDICTION
Now is when kids can sense it’s almost time to go. We’re being sent into the world with the love of Jesus!
Classes for Kids
Kids are a valuable part of our community. They participate in some of our liturgy with us.
However, we know that they also benefit from time shaped for their levels of energy and attention…and parents hoping to participate in liturgy benefit from that too. After announcements, kids, teachers and parents are asked to meet at the Info Table in the lobby so they can walk to class together. Classes are available for three different age groups:
INFANTS/TODDLERS
Even the littlest ones are welcome here as soon as you are willing to share the cuddles with others.
3 & 4S
These kids share in some time of singing, stories, and lots of play.
K – 5TH GRADE
A time of activities, stories, and imagining together what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Some things that are helpful for parents to know:
We have a Family Care Room that is available throughout liturgy if you need a quiet place to care for your child, or just give them extra some space to move around.
We don’t have snacks in our classes, so if you think they’ll be getting the hunger crankies as high noon approaches, please feed them something before.
We don’t change diapers or take kids to the bathroom, though we do get parents if this is needed during class. You can help minimize distractions by changing or taking them right before class.
If your kids would rather stay with you during all of our liturgy, they are welcome!
