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| the weekly eWell | 26 december 2007 / issue 26 |
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In this issue: • latest news • community groups • well said • more info • classifieds
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"We're Not In Kansas Anymore..." Dr. Matthew Robinson Last year my parents finished building the house of their dreams in Belleair Beach, Florida (the residential section of Clearwater). My sister and I grew up in the middle of Tampa, and “home” is now an hour across the Bay. Belleair Beach is no Tallahassee. Most residents are snowbirds. No one knows how to drive at or above the speed limit. Mom shops at what Dad calls the “Geriatric Publix.” You get the picture… Church this past Sunday was no Tallahassee, either. As we entered the Narthex we were greeted and each handed the 14-page Worship Bulletin. Dressed in a white robe, the acolyte did his part to carefully illuminate the altar in addition to lighting the four Advent Wreath candles. A deacon and elder read a portion of Luke’s Christmas Story and lit the remaining Love candle. During the organ’s bellow of the prelude the senior pastor and his associate made way down the center aisle while carefully adjusting their black robes, chains, and sashes. The 17 members of the retiree choir held their music notebooks high as we sang hymns 82, 147 and 176 (all four verses of each as spelled out in the hymnals that were nestled among the attendance and visitors log found in the pew racks). After a choral response call to worship, the congregation affirmed the Sacrament of Baptism of a darling two year old with a hearty “We do.” Following the Children’s Message and subsequent dismissal to Children’s Church, the organ and every parishioner crooned “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” (Hymn 189). The Prophetic and Gospel scripture readings came from Isaiah and Luke, and following the sermon, Lord’s Prayer, Prayer of Affirmation, Prayer of Giving, and Prayer of Dedication, we sang the Doxology (Hymn 45). The inspiring Pastoral Benediction led way to the Postlude as all parties filed in line to march back to the Narthex for a salutation, blessing, and handshake. Following the service, I realized that over the course of these past six months, while serving onstage and backstage, I had forgotten how church was. This past Sunday made me appreciate how our church, The Well, is. Especially as I’ve celebrated Christ’s arrival into this world these past few days, it’s hit me how many people I love and know that haven’t had the opportunity to experience how our church, The Well, is. I’m guilty of not inviting them... of getting too caught up in the “doing” and not wrapping myself around the act of “being”... of reflecting upon sermons we’ve heard regarding Discernment, and Missional Ministry, and of Churches Gone Wild, but not following up. I haven’t done my perfect best (and none of us ever will) to simply open a door or extend an invitation to let others experience something different. It might not be better or right, but it is different. It’s how our church, The Well, is. Who do you know that needs to see, feel, or experience what our church, The Well, is? What do you need to see, feel, and experience to commit to what our church, The Well, is? As we gather together this Sunday at Café Cabernet and at Godby come 2008, it’s my prayer that you’ll think about how “church” was, and is, and can be, for you and for all those you know. As we grow as a community, we are going to continue to be faced with successes and challenges. Remembering where we and other have been (be it robes and hymnals or something else) and anticipating where we’re going, is an important mindset we all must embody at The Well. As you continue to make and call The Well “home”, it’s a mindset I hope you’ll be apt to share. Home. It’s what our church, The Well, is. |
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We will be meeting again at Cafe Cabernet for Sunday Service this week. 12/30: @ Cafe Cabernet, 6:00 p.m. We'll be back at Godby in the New Year! NEW YEAR'S EVE Matt and Jessica Folsom are hosting a Rockin' New Years Eve Party on 12/31! The Folsom's house (at 4415 Blue Bill Pass) will be open from 8:00 - 12:30 and you can call 850.443.2344 for directions. Meat and drinks will be provided--please bring a side dish, dessert, or $5 and enjoy the bon fire and s'mores!
Sunday Service is held at Godby High School. Join us in the auditorium each week at 6:00 p.m. The Well WEBCASTS Dean's sermons are now available online at nomorethirst.org. Save them to your IPod, burn them on a cd, or listen to them over the internet. Sermons will be added each Sunday night following the service. PRAYER POINT Tiffany Singleton, in Africa to serve for nine months. eGIVING eGiving is here! Log on to nomorethirst.org and click the eGiving link to set up your eTithe. Please remember to make it eNormous. The Finance Team ePpreciates it! |
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Visit www.nomorethirst.org for more info! |
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| Dean Inserra, Pastor Scott Simmons, Worship Leader dean@nomorethirst.org scott@nomorethirst.org | |
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| Copyright 2007 © The Well Sunday Nights, 6:00 p.m. @ the Godby High School Auditorium | |
