La Paz Community Group Brought It!

I told the folks at our monthly Community Group, “May’s meeting will be ‘bring your own worship’.” They were given an explanation, that it meant they could bring anything that they thought would build up our little body of believers. “… for the strengthening of the church” (1 Cor. 14:26 – NET)

I was given many responses, usually along the lines of, “I don’t know… I’m stuck… I’m not sure I have anything… that’s not my, um, thing, ya know?”

But, when the time came, they… well, they brought it. They really, really, brought worship!

Just a sampling: Abby (age 4) led us in “Hallelu, Hallelu”; songs of various types were shared both live and on mp3; Avery (age 4) did liturgical dance with Abby; quotes from Henri Nouwen were read; a 4th century prayer was read and reflected on (that was mine); Tim sang while his wife Whitney did a chalk-drawing of the Father carrying His weary child (see photo); testimonies were given.

In short, worship was brought and it built up Christ’s bride as she met in our living room. Amen.

Here’s how the night went:

As usual, we ate (this time, it was bring-an-appetizer-or-dessert). Eventually, the service started…

• Call to Worship: “Jesus Is King”

• Opening Prayer (Anne picked a prayer for unity from the Book of Common Prayer)

• 1 Cor. 14:26 was read corporately.

• We sang “How Firm a Foundation” and the “Sursum Corda” by Steve Hindalong and Terry Taylor, from the second City on a Hill CD (”Sing Alleluia”).

• A reader read John 17:20-26, and then 1 Peter 2:4-5 was read corporately.

• Special offerings of worship (mentioned above) were shared.

• We sang “The Lord Is Present Here” by Graham Kendrick and “At the Foot of the Cross” by Kathryn Scott.

• A reader read Psalm 133, and then Ephesians 5:18-20 was read corporately.

• More special offerings of worship (mentioned above) were shared.

• To involve the children more, we sang some kids’ songs: “Children, Jesus Loves You” and a song I wrote called “God of the Promise”.

• Avery led off the third portion of shared worship (mentioned above) with a liturgical dance to “A Little Talk with Jesus”. This last portion of shared worship was especially meaningful, involving some powerful music and testimonies.

• We had a time of prayer, which started by praying for one of the churches represented in our group which had lost a member to a long fight with cancer. What a sweet time of prayer!

• We ended with some more songs: “Lord, You’ve Been Good to Me” by Graham Kendrick and “We Are the Body of Christ” by Scott Wesley Brown.

• Dessert was had by all.