Thoughts for the Day

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Last Sunday I attended the most wonderful act of worship in a small village. The parish church though ancient was warm, pews had been removed and chairs inserted, and there was space for coffee and cake afterwards (and a cafe church in the week). It wasn't a Family Service where the adults did everything but the content was aimed at children; neither was it an adult service where the children were expected to be quiet and put up with a sermon they couldn't understand. So what was different, and why did I come away feeling spiritually rejuvenated and restored?

The service had been initiated by the Vicar (and he gives a short talk) but the worship was created and read by the children. They chose the hymns, wrote the prayers, and read the lessons. But even this wasn't what affected me! What really hit me was the feeling of the adults and children worshipping together. The children were not "on show". They were leading real worship. The faith they were learning in school was being taught also to their parents through the mature hymns they chose and the powerful words of their prayers (the Vicar assures me that words are not changed).

Today's reading from Colossians reminds us that we are to let the 'word of God' dwell in us, and we are to teach one another, as well as sing hymns, psalms and spiritual songs. Today is Bible Sunday, let us thank God for all He has taught us through the ages in the Scriptures, and give thanks for all that He continues to teach us!

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for Your holy word
taught to us through our Bible.
May we keep on learning,
and listening to what You teach us.
We thank You for those who
preached, those who prophesied,
and those who wrote
the history, the letters, and the songs,
that make up the Holy Bible.
May we continue to explore
our faith with its help.
Amen.