July 2024 Promises Something New
July will bring a fresh approach to worship at Living Table. And you are all invited to participate. As you have heard by now, we will not have written liturgy for the month of July. We will have the music projected as usual, and nothing else will be in the PowerPoint.
Our theme for the month is “(Re)Considering Spirit” with the purpose of exploring our understanding of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The month will look something like this:
- July 7 – The Hovering Spirit – Genesis 1:1-5 — The Spirit of God hovered (or swept) over the waters of Creation. This can also be translated as “a mighty wind” hovered/swept over the waters. Focus: Spirit is near in chaos
- July 14 Rev. Mimi Goodwin Preaches on Creativity (more information coming)
- July 21 – The Breath of Life – Genesis 2:4b-9 — The creation of the first human from the ground. God breathes life into the human. Ruach is the breath of God, or Spirit. Focus: The human spirit is made whole by the Holy Spirit.
- July 28 – The Uncontrollable Spirit – John 3:1-10 (Nicodemus) — The wind/Spirit blows where is chooses. Pneuma means wind or spirit in Greek. Focus: As much as we like to think of the Holy Spirit as “tame,” she is not.
If you’re wondering how this will work, so am I. My hope is that each of you will consider writing something or bringing a poem, a scripture passage, a piece of prose, an activity (meditative or otherwise) that you can share for any of the following:
- Invoking Spirit
- Acknowledging our Need for God
- Reading for the day (in addition to the chosen scripture)
- Prayer after Communion
If you are a visual artist and are inspired to create Spirit themed artwork, please share it with the community. We can hang it in the sanctuary or use it in the music PowerPoint.
If you are a poet and are inspired to write Spirit themed poetry, please do and be prepared to share it on the Sunday of your choosing.
There’s no wrong way to do this. Let the Spirit move you and we’ll see how a reliance on the Spirit can shape our worship in a new way. I can’t wait for this experience!
In the meantime, have you thought about other services you might want this summer?
- Outdoor Renewal of Baptismal Vows (likely an evening service)
- Outdoor Vespers (with snacks)
- Potluck supper and spiritual conversations
- Something else?
Please leave your comments so we can make some fun and different things happen this summer.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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Wait, what? No as-yet scripted liturgy? You mean you’re asking us to do some creative work? Ha!–this brings to mind the origins of the word “liturgy.”
You know me and my love affair with words and etymology. So, from my favorite reference, the Online Dictionary of Etymology: “liturgy” means literally “the people’s work.” [From leito- “public” (from laos “people;” compare leiton “public hall,” leite “priestess;” see lay (adj.)) + -ourgos “that works,” from ergon “work” (from PIE root *werg- “to do”).] I love these intertwined layers of meaning.
Which also imply that there could be some “work” involved in “worship”? You mean there needs to be some “doing” to make a space for my “being”? Well, so be it. I’m up for the challenge.
Thank you, Doug, for this reminder. I am hopeful that the liturgy will indeed be the work of the people this month!
I have 2 painting that relate to Hovering Spirit. How we must think “out of the box” as we seem to hang with in it. Photo illumination pigment will glow within a dimension of space will after the lights go out releasing visual chaos.
Deb, if you are willing to share your paintings, we’ll find a place to hang them in the sanctuary.
I’ll bring them on Sunday. I have never share either one of them outside of my family. A wonder at balance in framed chaos. At lease one of them is framed.
I’ll bring them in on Sunday. They have never been shared with anyone outside of my family. One is framed the second is not.