“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5)
Rejoicing Spirits, a worship service that celebrates the gifts of all people is a new addition to our Saturday services this year. We call this a “no-shush” service because all who attend are encouraged to worship freely and without concern about making “noise.” It has been a blessing to be a part of this service as we make joyful noises with drums, chimes, piano, tambourines, and our voices, and together rejoice in the Lord through song, story, and signing. Fellowship before and after the service allows time for networking and building friendships.
While Rejoicing Spirits is the name of one of our services, it is also a reflection of our life together as a faith community, the Body of Christ. As we rejoice with one another in the celebration of communion, celebrate the births and baptisms of twins and others, welcome the children by planting seeds of faith through education, and mourn the loss of friends and family who have gone before us, we continue to grow and reach out beyond our doors confident that the Lord indeed is near and our spirits are knit together to form the church community we know as FPC Birmingham.
As we walk together through this season of Lent, may we let our gentleness be known to everyone and continue to rejoice in the Lord always.
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for this community of rejoicing spirits. Make us ever mindful of those who feel on the fringes, and help us to reach out and enfold them in the embrace of this community. Amen.
Cindy Merten
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