Have you had your photo taken yet for the new Lord of Life online directory? The last few weeks, we’ve had a flock of photographers milling about in between worship taking portraits. They are taking the rest of August off, but will be back at it in September, so look for the photo booth on Sunday mornings and step up and say, “Cheese!”
Lord of Life is creating a congregational app. This app will make it easier to share information about worship, serving, and learning opportunities, access the church calendar, sign up for events, make financial contributions, search the online photo directory, and more. We hope to create greater connectivity and community with one another.
Don’t we all want more connectivity – or at least meaningful connectivity? Our online photo directory will help us put faces and names together beyond the moments when we wear nametags or greet one another in small group settings.
I’ve been thinking about names a bunch lately. On a recent Sunday, we sang the Matt Redman song, “Blessed Be Your Name.”
“Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful,
Where your streams of abundance flow. Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name when I’m found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.”
The lyrics help us remember that God’s name is blessed in any and all situations. One of the biblical words for “blessed” means adored and praiseworthy, holy and consecrated. When life is the best and the worst, God’s name and presence continue to be a source of grounding for us.
As we gather for worship, we often hear the names of matriarchs and patriarchs who helped lead God’s mission forward. Sarah and Abraham, Moses and Miriam, Esther, Isaiah, Mary, Martha, and so many more. Even if you can’t recall their entire story of struggle and salvation, there’s a good chance that these names are familiar.
We speak other names in worship, too. Most weeks, during our prayers, we read names from our congregational prayer list. One at a time, we name people who are sick, struggling, alone, waiting for answers, and grieving. Even if you have the tendency to zone out as the list of 20-35 names drones on, it is helpful to remember that these are real people with real concerns. Jonah, Steve, Janet, Shane, Wanda, et al. There’s power in saying someone’s name. Even if you don’t know them or their situation, for a moment, they are on your lips.
God knows your name. In Isaiah, God says, “I have called you by name. You are mine.” God knows our name and God calls us beloved. The Creator of the Universe is constantly initiating a relationship with us and yearning to meet us in our joys, sorrows, and hopes. Even more, Romans 12:4-5 reminds us that “we belong to one another.” As children of God, we are interwoven by the Spirit of God calling us into relationships and situations of generosity and loving care.
Here’s an invitation. Spend time learning names. September 14 is our Kick-Off Sunday, when we return to our rhythm of three worship services on Sunday (8, 9:30 & 11 am) with a learning hour for all ages at 9:30. Between now and then, introduce/re-introduce yourself to a couple of people in this community and try to greet them by name – especially children and those who are alone as we are together. There’s power in saying someone’s name.
Learning and growing,
Pastor Lowell
Thanks to the Thompson, Schneider, Fox-Linton, Gilbert, Fyffe-Wooten, and Spangler families for sharing their photos (top L to bottom R)!