Rhythm and ritual. Important pieces to our world. Though we might complain this time of year, we know that a Winter without snow would seem strange. If the trees still had leaves, life would not be right. Ritual gives rhythm to our lives. The expectation of certain things to happen during certain times in our lives, during certain times of the year.
This month we are celebrating certain rituals as part of our rhythm as the church. We are also branching off a bit, and beginning new rituals…which I hope will become part of our regular rhythm.
This month we send our first adult mission team to New Orleans for time of service. Our youth had such a positive experience through an organization called Camp Restore that it seemed like a natural starting place for us to begin an adult mission trip. Pray for our thirteen members who will be spending four nights in New Orleans transforming and being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit at work.
We are used to the rhythm and ritual of the Theme Table Dinner. That has run its course for the time being. But gathering around a meal for fellowship has not. So the Evangelism committee is starting a new ritual of a Sweetheart dinner, or rather a time to gather for a meal and fellowship reminded that God loves us and loves our relationships. So whether you are single or in a relationship come and be God’s sweetheart while enjoying a wonderful meal!
The ritual of celebration of love is important. Many of our members have been married forty years or more, which should be celebrated! We will be blessing them in worship this month, and hope to make that an annual ritual in the rhythm of worship.
The last weekend of the month we will reflect on our rich history as St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church. It was in February of 1851 that farmers decided to build a stone church on a plot of land given by farmer. What has followed has been a rich history of worship and living out God’s gospel in this area. This weekend we will have fun remembering the ritual and rhythm of faith that has taken place throughout the years.
As you participate in the rhythm and rituals of your life and life of the church be reminded that God celebrates ritual and provides rhythm.
Blessings,
Pastor Holly
