Mars Hill

Yesterday, the children's message addressed the Ascension (of course, only Jack was there! Cheyenne was home spending alone time with mom and Ariana didn't want to stay so Grandma took her home after Sunday school). We then moved on to Mars Hill and Paul's sermon. Hopefully, the main idea behind the message came across (God can be known, but not by us debating with others or conversely beating them over the head with the Bible, but by being authentic Christians). I felt the entire service went well, that it represented a typical Sunday at State Line. Which was my goal once I found out my mentor would be attending worship - something he hasn't been able to do in the three years he's been my mentor and I've been at State Line.

on a side note, he has a beautiful singing voice and just blessed the congregation during each of the songs (we do six). Personally, I had not been thinking about his singing voice and was completely thrown off for the first few bars of the first hymn before I settled back to enjoy it. Personally, that is why I love going to District/Conference events to hear all those male voices! It's not something you hear in the average church worship service from my experience.

This week being Pentacost I hope to explain the third person of the Trinity in terms that can be understood even by the children as we have been having problems with this: ie are we talking about God the Father or God the Son? Who died and are they still dead? and what do you mean 'the holy spirit'? It's been wonderful having the children, but it sure does stretch a person!! I am ending the service with a renewal baptismal service. As we talk about receiving the Holy Spirit and how that experience is repeatable, we'll move into how water baptism is not repeatable but Jesus received water baptism before the Spirit (dove) fell upon him so let's remember our baptism as we open ourselves up to receiving the Holy Spirit.

The only question I have right now is about the music. Our musician will be out with family for Mother's Day. I was thinking of doing a contemporary set (sort of like the babbling experienced at Pentacost!), but haven't yet gotten into picking the songs and arranging them. Also should it be a set or should we do four songs in place of the normal four hymns? Lots to think about on top of sermon prep, etc!!!!