Sunday is the last Sunday of our Spring Training Sermon Series and there are several things, one of which I hope entices you to attend worship.
First, we will be recognizing our children’s ministry team, volunteers and staff during worship. Children’s Ministry is one of the strengths of EPUMC and it takes a lot of you to pull it off. I am so grateful for the leadership that Deb Soderholm, our Director of Children’s Ministries, provides. Showing up is a great way to say thank you to all who are involved in this important work.
Second, it will be “Sparky” Webster’s last visit with us and several of you have made a request. The request is to be able to wear some sort of sports team paraphernalia to worship this Sunday. This means a shirt, a cap, a jersey, something that announces your support of a sport’s team. Even though I have some reservations about something like this taking things maybe a bit to far…I’m going to invite you to wear something from your favorite sports team if you are so moved. What has happened in this sermon series is that several of us are recognizing a clearer deeper connection between our faith and our lives. Anything a church can do to help deepen and clarify that connection is a good thing. So for one Sunday, let’s see whose rooting for whom and if Sparky can remember that other guys name.
Two other things about this; Firstly, before you put that t-shirt on, think about which team has meant the most to you over the longest time. For many of us that is the Twins, for others maybe the Gophers. For me it was the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball team. They were a formulate fixture in my life. I cannot name one player on the team for 2015, heck I can’t remember some of your names, but I can still give you the starting line-up for the 1964 and 1967 World Series Champions and the 1968 losers of the World Series.
Secondly; I don’t think that the connection to sports paraphernalia needs to also encourage us to wear only a Christian wardrobe. Here are two pictures that have convinced me of this. The one on the left is a lovely garment I saw at the State Fair a couple of years ago. And yes; that is a fake leopard-skin cross on a $30 blouse. The one on the right is Jesus riding no hands on a bike. One, I don’t own this t-shirt. And two: riding a bike with no hands does not count as a miracle, Jesus. I really do not believe it is helpful to wear my faith on a t-shirt.
On Sunday our fellowship time will be ballpark food. Hot dogs, pop-corn, and I’m guessing “some peanuts and crack- er –jacks...” So wear whatever sports team stirs your sense of belonging and maybe Sunday morning in church will start becoming the place you…. “don’t care if you ever get back” ….from.
P.S. We have taken on the PROP Mac and Cheese Challenge. PROP has challenged our congregation to provide all the mac and cheese needed for the month of June for the Summer Food for Kids program. We are asking exclusively for mac and cheese donations during the entire month of May. Today through Saturday, Cub has a great deal on their Mac and Cheese. Just saying.
First, we will be recognizing our children’s ministry team, volunteers and staff during worship. Children’s Ministry is one of the strengths of EPUMC and it takes a lot of you to pull it off. I am so grateful for the leadership that Deb Soderholm, our Director of Children’s Ministries, provides. Showing up is a great way to say thank you to all who are involved in this important work.
Second, it will be “Sparky” Webster’s last visit with us and several of you have made a request. The request is to be able to wear some sort of sports team paraphernalia to worship this Sunday. This means a shirt, a cap, a jersey, something that announces your support of a sport’s team. Even though I have some reservations about something like this taking things maybe a bit to far…I’m going to invite you to wear something from your favorite sports team if you are so moved. What has happened in this sermon series is that several of us are recognizing a clearer deeper connection between our faith and our lives. Anything a church can do to help deepen and clarify that connection is a good thing. So for one Sunday, let’s see whose rooting for whom and if Sparky can remember that other guys name.
Two other things about this; Firstly, before you put that t-shirt on, think about which team has meant the most to you over the longest time. For many of us that is the Twins, for others maybe the Gophers. For me it was the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball team. They were a formulate fixture in my life. I cannot name one player on the team for 2015, heck I can’t remember some of your names, but I can still give you the starting line-up for the 1964 and 1967 World Series Champions and the 1968 losers of the World Series.
Secondly; I don’t think that the connection to sports paraphernalia needs to also encourage us to wear only a Christian wardrobe. Here are two pictures that have convinced me of this. The one on the left is a lovely garment I saw at the State Fair a couple of years ago. And yes; that is a fake leopard-skin cross on a $30 blouse. The one on the right is Jesus riding no hands on a bike. One, I don’t own this t-shirt. And two: riding a bike with no hands does not count as a miracle, Jesus. I really do not believe it is helpful to wear my faith on a t-shirt.
On Sunday our fellowship time will be ballpark food. Hot dogs, pop-corn, and I’m guessing “some peanuts and crack- er –jacks...” So wear whatever sports team stirs your sense of belonging and maybe Sunday morning in church will start becoming the place you…. “don’t care if you ever get back” ….from.
P.S. We have taken on the PROP Mac and Cheese Challenge. PROP has challenged our congregation to provide all the mac and cheese needed for the month of June for the Summer Food for Kids program. We are asking exclusively for mac and cheese donations during the entire month of May. Today through Saturday, Cub has a great deal on their Mac and Cheese. Just saying.
RSS Feed
