Worship - July 23, 2006

A while back Nancy Brooks began to attend MZ. She attended the 8 am service, looking for a place to worship without being the pastor's wife. Her husband, Pastor John, is the pastor for the Bowie Church of Christ. Check their web page http://www.bowiechurchofchrist.com for more information.

Sunday I worshiped with them at their 10:30 am service. The Church of Christ doesn't use instruments in worship but their four part harmony was moving. Pastor John's message was uplifting and based on the Word of God.

I plan to be at MZ this Sunday and will begin a sermon series on The Character of a Godly Person on August 6th. See you soon.

Day 45 - Some Lessons Learned

First, it was great seeing a number of you at the church-wide cook-out today. I really missed the band this year, a usual mainstay at the cook-out. Not being in on the planning, I'm not sure why they weren't there, but they were missed.

Thanks to Bob & Linda Rogers for once again opening their farm to MZ for the cook-out. They are always great hosts.

As I begin the last two weeks (16 days) of this portion of my Sabbath Leave I have learned a few things.
1. I need to find time to read more, that has been very enriching.
2. It would take some time to get used to worshiping and not leading.
3. I do not enjoy not having an agenda, a plan.
4. I miss MZ worship.
5. I'm excited about returning and designing and leading worship at MZ making it even better.
6. I love my job and know how blessed I am to be able to say that - many cannot.
7. Family & personal time have increased and the plan is to keep them at a higher level when I return.

I look forward to our first Sunday back - August 6th - and hope all will plan to be there!

Day 43

I talked to our District Superintendent today. He asked how the Sabbath Leave was going. I told him I was really enjoying the time away but was starting to miss doing ministry. He told me that he sees this because for some ministers it is a calling, not a job. He also mentioned that some ministers take their Sabbath Leave away from ordinary church work but do kept their hand in ministry of some sort. I have begun to talk to him about some ideas concerning MZ and expanding our ministry in the community. He is excited about some of the ideas we have talked about and I can't wait to share them with the congregation and see if God lays this excitement on your hearts as well. I hope to see you all at the Picnic Saturday and possibly worship Sunday.

Some Thoughts to Ponder

I had a dream last night, my last night on the cruise. In the dream two words kept coming back as essentials in my/our Christian walk - Worship and Service.

In my dream this developed as Worship of God which includes Fellowship, Worship & Discipleship in our process and Service of God which includes Ministry and Evangelism. I want to know more and more about what it means to truly worship God and truly serve God and others. When I return I want to discuss this with leadership and membership at MZ. I challenge you to seek a deeper and deeper relationship with God daily.

An essential element of this process has emerged from my reading of "The Ragamuffin Gospel" after a recommendation from Rev. Chris. The leading element of this book so far (I'm on page 78 of 204) has been God's mercy. Our worship of God and service of God and others is not a legalistic response but a loving response to an unmerited grace which God showers on all who will receive. NONE of us deserves it and no one can take any pride in what they do as if this gives them some sort of standing with God. God's grace is essential for us to understand what it means to serve God and others.

More later - but pray with me and read about worship and service and grace. I know God will reveal more and more to us as we seek His face.

Day 39

Well, we just arrived home from some vacation time on a cruise. It was an awesome time for the family. Ten days away from phones, computers, work and normal chores. We're glad we went but also glad to be in our own beds tonight. Vacations are great times to get away but they also remind you of what you have at home. I hope to see everyone at the Church-Wide Picnic Saturday the 15th of July.

We're into our second month of Sabbath Leave and God is giving me much needed rest and more time for reading and relaxation. Three weeks left. There have been lots of new ideas (I'm making notes but trying not to think too much about how the ideas translate into our ministry together just yet). I look forward to the meeting of those interested in our contemporary worship in August called by Norma Floyd, our Director of Worship.

Blessings to all!