Join us for Worship
Sundays in the sanctuary @ 10:30 a.m.
Our Current Worship Series: open our eyes that we might see
Nashville writer Margaret Renkl wrote: “We were never cast out of Eden. We merely turned from it and shut our eyes. To return and be welcomed, cleansed and redeemed, we are only obliged to look” (Margaret Renkl, The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year [New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2023] xvi). I love that: Redemption is opening our eyes. And I do so love poetry and essays and ideas about the wonder of actually looking at the world—looking at other people and our relationships with them. It’s arguably the way Jesus looked at the world—the way prophets and poets and artists look at the world. So join us as we open our eyes to the redemption available to us in Scripture, in relationship, and in nature.
However! I also wonder about that perspective. Because I think it’s not just that we turned away from seeing (though that’s certainly true), there’s also something about the way we too much look at the world (if not individually, then collectively)—and people and things (covetously, graspingly, possessively, abusively) that requires more of a reckoning than simply choosing to look again. There’s a bit too much of an easy absolution in that.
And there is, in truth, more to the story than just looking at creation with wonder. More than seeing beauty and interconnectedness—interrelatedness. There’s also a necessary reckoning with what is true about us that doesn’t see wonder—doesn’t value it—or values other things more—sees it, but as something to exploit—from which to profit.
So more than just opening our eyes—or in addition to opening our eyes, there is significance to a participation in repairing the breach in wonder and beauty that may require a sacrificial commitment—may require reparations. In any case, more than just opening our eyes.
Maybe if we open our eyes though, that’s part of what we see.
We are a welcoming and inclusive community
of different stories,
woven into a shared commitment to God
and to each other.
With joy and honesty, we seek the way of Jesus
through big questions, social justice, and love.
Loved by God
to love like God
That is the living sacrifice we make of our lives which is our true worship (Romans 12:1). In a so often mean world, worship is fulfilled in kindness. In a world that is unjust, worship is fulfilled in lives dedicated to the work of justice. In a world of lies, worship is fulfilled striving to speak truth, and in a world characterized by selfishness, worship is fulfilled in grace.
We create the world we live into
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8).
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
