Synod Community-Wide Worship Service

Stones.  I have a love/hate relationship with them.  I think some stones and minerals are really quite beautiful but I’m not sure how I feel about the growing collection of stones in my living room cabinet. 

It all started with a fish-shaped stone that my daughter took home from the lake with yet-unrealized plans to paint it. Then there were two more fish-shaped stones from our time at Lake Crystal, and more recently a rather plain red rock from Rock City, Georgia.  

Even as I write this I am again amazed by how recalling each stone brings back a flood of associated memories.

In Scripture, stones are often used to serve as markers for future generations. To remind the generations of an event and particularly of how our covenant God was faithful. 

When the delegates and staff of the Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed Church synods come to Pella, Iowa, in June, we will have many occasions to reflect on the faithfulness of God in worship.

We will also have the opportunity to join together with the larger Pella-area RCA and CRC community on Sunday evening, June 15, 5:00 p.m., at the Vermeer Pavilion. A time of worship for the whole community–a time to sing and pray, a time to talk to God and listen to what God has to say to us.  And after this time of spiritual nourishment: all are invited to be nourished physically by partaking in a picnic dinner.

Selecting the person to bring the sermon at such an event can be a challenging task as there are so many gifted men and women from whom to choose. It was a member of the RCA committee who suggested asking Rev. Peter Borgdorff (Deputy Executive Director for the Christian Reformed Church).

Given Borgdorff’s dedicated work and leadership in the area of ecumenical relations and broader service to the church, it made complete sense that he bring us God’s Word. His sermon, titled Of Living Stones and Precious People, is based on Joshua 4:14-24 and 1 Peter 2:4-5. These passages encourage us to reflect on the past, to remind future generations of what God has done, and to look to the future as a covenant people called to be living stones–people whose very lives serve as a testament to our covenant God.

Rumor has it that Borgdorff has a rock collection of his own to share during worship. If you are in the area, come, let us worship together!