Holy Holy Week Ramblings
Holy Week has been exceptionally special this year. Granted, it has been a very long week with many extra things going on and I have noticed this year the toll on my kids with me being gone every night this week starting last Sunday. Yet, even in the midst of being tired I find myself so spiritually alive, and so excited for the way the Spirit has been at work at Advent. I do have to say however that I am bumming on how the NCAA tournament had to start this week- I mean that should be illegal. How can one focus on the tourney in the midst of Holy Week!
One of the most rewarding things we did this year at Advent was time for individual confession and absolution. I have often wanted to offer this thinking the service in the ELW is pretty good, and it seemed like the right time to do it. I scheduled two days in which I would be available for people to sign up for an appointment. At the outset I did not think many would take me up on it, but by the time the week was over about ten tried it. Now, ten by no means is a huge number, but for me and those ten people I believe it was amazing. I am confident it will grow more and more each year. I was humbled to hear the things I heard and reminded of the amazing call in which I find myself. One person shared something that was part of their inner secrets for 35 years- wow, God opened up many hearts and shone brightly in our little church.
I am not sure where we are headed as a congregation but feel that prayer and intentional prayer at that must be part of who we are. Over the course of the last several months we have started a monthly healing service and the response has been amazing. It strikes me how people crave silence, and stillness and we have tried to capture that during this service as well as during Lent. People come to be prayed for and I believe leave being lifted up. God touches us in so many ways! And apparently, according to my son Logan God comes to us in smell during Holden Evening prayer- Last week as we were singing Holden Logan whispered to me that the candle he was holding smelled like God. I began to laugh, and then wanted to cry at the innocence and openness of that comment. And who know, maybe just maybe God was putting forth a sent for my boy and he was touched at that moment. Where else may God be coming to us?
Well after tomorrow and celebrating Easter we will be heading for a little R and R- can't wait to have the time as a family on the beaches of Florida!
Peace,
JG
One of the most rewarding things we did this year at Advent was time for individual confession and absolution. I have often wanted to offer this thinking the service in the ELW is pretty good, and it seemed like the right time to do it. I scheduled two days in which I would be available for people to sign up for an appointment. At the outset I did not think many would take me up on it, but by the time the week was over about ten tried it. Now, ten by no means is a huge number, but for me and those ten people I believe it was amazing. I am confident it will grow more and more each year. I was humbled to hear the things I heard and reminded of the amazing call in which I find myself. One person shared something that was part of their inner secrets for 35 years- wow, God opened up many hearts and shone brightly in our little church.
I am not sure where we are headed as a congregation but feel that prayer and intentional prayer at that must be part of who we are. Over the course of the last several months we have started a monthly healing service and the response has been amazing. It strikes me how people crave silence, and stillness and we have tried to capture that during this service as well as during Lent. People come to be prayed for and I believe leave being lifted up. God touches us in so many ways! And apparently, according to my son Logan God comes to us in smell during Holden Evening prayer- Last week as we were singing Holden Logan whispered to me that the candle he was holding smelled like God. I began to laugh, and then wanted to cry at the innocence and openness of that comment. And who know, maybe just maybe God was putting forth a sent for my boy and he was touched at that moment. Where else may God be coming to us?
Well after tomorrow and celebrating Easter we will be heading for a little R and R- can't wait to have the time as a family on the beaches of Florida!
Peace,
JG
Brother, good to have you back, and good to hear about the gifts at Advent. What a gift to the church. Happy Easter. Paz
Posted by
Chad K |
7:15 AM
Enjoy Florida!! I'm so jealous....we are headed there for a mission trip this summer when it's nice and sticky hot!
Posted by
Dan and Leigh |
10:41 AM
J-man, I'm so excited for you and Advent. I love that you are offering individual confession. I am totally freaked out by the concept - mostly because I don't know if I could bear to confess the crap I've done in my life. But it would be so freeing and forgiving. Talk about feeling the presence of God.
Silence is essential in worship. Didn't God come to what's his name in the silence? Is that where we can truly feel God - when we let go and Let God. I love silence in worship.
And Logan is wise beyond his means - of course, what else could I expect from a child of yours?
Okay, enough of my rambles. Miss you - love to you and your family.
Posted by
~moe~ |
3:43 PM
Easter blessings to you my friend..for all 50 days!
I am always struck by how people crave silence but are also afraid of it, because it provides a chance to hear the voice inside. It is also interesting that the Seventh Seal, when opened, ushers in silence. (Revelation)
Enjoy Florida!
Posted by
Leland |
8:56 PM