Sometimes it seems as if everything is going wrong, as if it is all too challenging and things are not going to work out. But in the end, things do work out, and everything takes on a new meaning in this new situation and hearts are filled with a greater understanding. That is pretty much what happened this past Sunday. Plans were to hold the worship service in the sanctuary, just a day after the joyful, packed memorial service celebrating the life of one of our members. But when we arrived Sunday morning, the sanctuary was just too hot. Pivoting on a dime, the DeWolf Chapel, with its two new air conditioners and fans, was selected as the better choice. The chapel, however, was filled with the tables from the luncheon served the previous day. So the decision was made to just carry on with the Sunday worship service and let the congregation sit around the tables, each still decorated with its vase of delicate Queen Anne’s Lace.
With the AC going and the fans whirring, there was an air of informality for everyone waiting around their table for the service to begin. The children played in this new set up. People were able to wander from table to table and visit with friends. It felt good.
Then, in the middle of the welcoming announcements, we got the message that the Minister of Music was delayed and on his way. Acapella hymn singing was going to be the strategy until he arrived. The Old Testament and Gospel selections were read and the sermon began. Rev. Soukup focused on the growing tension between Jesus and his followers after the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus is giving them food. He is healing them. What will this Jesus do next, they wonder, to prove his superstar status? To give them what they need? Then, in the middle of this cliffhanger, in walks our Minister of Music to great applause — and the sermon resumes. The Israelites on their 40 year journey hungered for bread and water and wondered if they wouldn’t have been better off staying in Egyptian enslavement than starving in the desert, says Rev. Soukup. Like the Israelites, Jesus’ disciples and followers also hungered for bread. But Jesus told them to seek instead the bread of God, which was spiritual bread. It is hard, he said, to move from captivity to liberation. Jesus recognized that people really are hungry for simple food, clean water, shelter, healing. But He urged us to look further. How can we look beyond meeting those physical needs for the few, to understand how our hearts can be transformed so that we are able to meet the needs of all, to see what God is offering us spiritually to love and sustain ALL of our neighbors . . . as ourselves?
Somehow, in this new, informal situation, as we improvised our worship service and opened ourselves up to whatever might come next, we glimpsed the challenge that Rev. Soukup spoke to during her sermon. To view the rest of the sermon, see the worship video HERE.
And if you want to see something truly lovely, keep watching to the end of the service when Rev. Soukup invites 3-year old Raymond to join her at the Communion table to break the bread of Christ and offer it up to the congregation. It was beautiful to see.