The worship was really wonderful - and as the Psalms permeated every aspect of Symposium and began to be realized more and more by those who attended from around the world, there was an incredible spirit of ministry and awareness of God's presence. There was a depth and richness that grew out of soaking ourselves in the Psalms for 3 full days - entering both the pain and the joy of the Psalms and scripture. Highlights for me were the worship services, and especially the Psalm Festival on Friday evening. Singing with 1200 people who love to sing is amazing. After working on Psalms for All Seasons, it was especially rewarding to see people using it, and being blessed by it.
Thank you for the honesty, Katie. I love this. I also recommend giving your leaders a break - a week off here and there - let them go worship somewhere else and be refreshed. Sundays come every week - relentlessly. Taking care of our souls - and of our leaders - so important!
Thank you, Sean. This is a good word for the church today. My prayer is that we can all learn to take next steps together - and have these conversations honestly and respectfully, honoring each other as fellow citizens of the kingdom. I hope (and trust) you will be busy facilitating these for the CRC in the upcoming weeks and months.
Thank you for posting this - I hope everyone who cares about the CRC will join in praying. Thank you for offering a variety of opportunities and suggestions for prayer.
Thank you, Luann. This is right on! In this same thought, we are looking for intercessors during Synod 2023 - anyone can sign up for 30 minute slots to pray from wherever they are. We (the CRC Prayer Team) invite you to participate. (sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4nPO0kz4_bNnsRDjbvPoCjFqEmVB-_PBy2ebKaZZzuVZw_A/viewform
Yes, Staci, it is hard not to look away, because the more you learn the more overwhelming it is. But thank you for your prayer for courage - that is what we need - courage to see and to ask what God wants us to do and be.
Yes, Margie! We did meet with Nate. If you get a chance to go down there, you should go and also visit with him. He definitely has a passion for the mission there.
Thank you, Laura! Thank you for reminding us to be curious. God is up to something - and we may not always understand but I pray that the Spirit will continue to move in mighty ways. Even through Calvin, even through us. And btw, I want to thank you for that sermon on Colossians a few weeks ago at the Worship Symposium. I have shared the link to it with many friends because of the truth you spoke so well and the impact it had on me and others.
Posted in: Sharing Symposium
The worship was really wonderful - and as the Psalms permeated every aspect of Symposium and began to be realized more and more by those who attended from around the world, there was an incredible spirit of ministry and awareness of God's presence. There was a depth and richness that grew out of soaking ourselves in the Psalms for 3 full days - entering both the pain and the joy of the Psalms and scripture. Highlights for me were the worship services, and especially the Psalm Festival on Friday evening. Singing with 1200 people who love to sing is amazing. After working on Psalms for All Seasons, it was especially rewarding to see people using it, and being blessed by it.
Posted in: Bird's Eye View
Yes, Doug, thanks for getting to the point and the I Corinthians passage.
Posted in: Is It Well with Their Souls? Becoming Trauma-Informed Worshipers
Thank you for the honesty, Katie. I love this. I also recommend giving your leaders a break - a week off here and there - let them go worship somewhere else and be refreshed. Sundays come every week - relentlessly. Taking care of our souls - and of our leaders - so important!
Posted in: Post-Synod: Christian Decision-making in Anxious Times
Thank you, Sean. This is a good word for the church today. My prayer is that we can all learn to take next steps together - and have these conversations honestly and respectfully, honoring each other as fellow citizens of the kingdom. I hope (and trust) you will be busy facilitating these for the CRC in the upcoming weeks and months.
Posted in: Ora et Labora: A Synod Worship Preview
Thank you for posting this - I hope everyone who cares about the CRC will join in praying. Thank you for offering a variety of opportunities and suggestions for prayer.
Posted in: Prayer Is Essential to What’s Happening at Synod. Here’s Why.
Thank you, Luann. This is right on! In this same thought, we are looking for intercessors during Synod 2023 - anyone can sign up for 30 minute slots to pray from wherever they are. We (the CRC Prayer Team) invite you to participate. (sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4nPO0kz4_bNnsRDjbvPoCjFqEmVB-_PBy2ebKaZZzuVZw_A/viewform
Posted in: The Hope and Heartbreak I Encountered at the US-Mexico Border
Yes, Staci, it is hard not to look away, because the more you learn the more overwhelming it is. But thank you for your prayer for courage - that is what we need - courage to see and to ask what God wants us to do and be.
Posted in: The Hope and Heartbreak I Encountered at the US-Mexico Border
Yes, Margie! We did meet with Nate. If you get a chance to go down there, you should go and also visit with him. He definitely has a passion for the mission there.
Posted in: Prayer of Confession (Unity)
Thank you, Alex. This prayer is beautiful, and goes right to the heart of our worship!
Posted in: Curiouser and Curiouser
Thank you, Laura! Thank you for reminding us to be curious. God is up to something - and we may not always understand but I pray that the Spirit will continue to move in mighty ways. Even through Calvin, even through us. And btw, I want to thank you for that sermon on Colossians a few weeks ago at the Worship Symposium. I have shared the link to it with many friends because of the truth you spoke so well and the impact it had on me and others.