Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Work in thursday
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Rafting conditions
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Note: To play video messsages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.
Workday 2
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.versionwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messsages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Celebrating Community
Some of us worshipped at the Old South Congregational Church in Farmington this morning. The pastor somehow turned the story of the beheading of John the Baptizer into a good sermon. The music was fine (but I did miss Jeffrey), and the folks welcomed us with genuine warmth.
Though this was not a regular feature of their liturgy, at the end of the service this congregation of about one hundred stood in circle and sang, “Let there be peace on earth.” As we sang in unison, we were able to look at one another. Face to face. Person to person.
We enjoyed the gift of community.
It reminded me of a favorite saying of a close friend: “You can’t get to know one another by sitting in rows looking at the back of people’s heads.”
How true.
We can briefly greet the person sitting beside us or behind us in worship. We can join together in praising God. We can all bow our heads together in prayer.
But we really can’t get to know one another, to truly know the joys and triumphs, the trials and tribulations of our brothers and sisters simply by worshipping at the same time in the same place.
We can begin to appreciate and receive the gift of community during worship, but worship alone cannot strengthen our bonds of community.
This morning’s service and this entire mission trip has reminded me how crucial it is for us as Christians to nurture and celebrate our fellowship.
How do we do that? By serving together to build a fence, to spread gavel on a walking path, to put siding on a home, to teach Sunday school, to visit a brother in the hospital or a sister in a time of grief or to sing in our new multi-generational music group.
Nate and the other leaders on our mission trip have done a splendid job in helping us to grow as community.
That might not the most important thing we do in Maine, but it’s pretty close.
Grace and peace,
Patrick
Though this was not a regular feature of their liturgy, at the end of the service this congregation of about one hundred stood in circle and sang, “Let there be peace on earth.” As we sang in unison, we were able to look at one another. Face to face. Person to person.
We enjoyed the gift of community.
It reminded me of a favorite saying of a close friend: “You can’t get to know one another by sitting in rows looking at the back of people’s heads.”
How true.
We can briefly greet the person sitting beside us or behind us in worship. We can join together in praising God. We can all bow our heads together in prayer.
But we really can’t get to know one another, to truly know the joys and triumphs, the trials and tribulations of our brothers and sisters simply by worshipping at the same time in the same place.
We can begin to appreciate and receive the gift of community during worship, but worship alone cannot strengthen our bonds of community.
This morning’s service and this entire mission trip has reminded me how crucial it is for us as Christians to nurture and celebrate our fellowship.
How do we do that? By serving together to build a fence, to spread gavel on a walking path, to put siding on a home, to teach Sunday school, to visit a brother in the hospital or a sister in a time of grief or to sing in our new multi-generational music group.
Nate and the other leaders on our mission trip have done a splendid job in helping us to grow as community.
That might not the most important thing we do in Maine, but it’s pretty close.
Grace and peace,
Patrick
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Our fearless game leaders.
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.versionwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messsages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
First Reflections from Rev. Patrick V.
Shirts and shorts had been stuffed in a drawer. The beds were made up, and Nathan and I had laid down to read and rest after a long trip to Maine (Before I continue, here’s a question for you: Do any states between New Jersey and Maine offer drivers’ ed.? I doubt it.)
So there we are, sitting quietly and peacefully. I was reviewing the evening’s activities, and my son was engrossed in a book.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Sarah and Taylor marched in with smiles and laughter. Shocked, they exclaimed, “We’re sorry. We didn’t think anyone was here yet!”
They handed over two orange copies of the week’s itinerary, and we all enjoyed a hearty laugh.
It was the first of what I think will be many surprises, many smiles, and much laughter.
Thank you for your generosity. You made this mission trip possible, and the blessings are already flowing.
So there we are, sitting quietly and peacefully. I was reviewing the evening’s activities, and my son was engrossed in a book.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Sarah and Taylor marched in with smiles and laughter. Shocked, they exclaimed, “We’re sorry. We didn’t think anyone was here yet!”
They handed over two orange copies of the week’s itinerary, and we all enjoyed a hearty laugh.
It was the first of what I think will be many surprises, many smiles, and much laughter.
Thank you for your generosity. You made this mission trip possible, and the blessings are already flowing.
Here they come!
Our caravan pulled out of RCCPC this morning with a mission to Maine in mind. Senior High camp ended this morning so we anxiously await their arrival! Pray for a good week and check in often, we will post pictures and reflections so that you will, in some way, join in mission to Maine.
Monday, July 6, 2009
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