Worship/I Believe...
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What is your Faith Journey? --You & Me & God—We’ve Got Stories To Tell
At Church of the Covenant we’ll be collecting stories from people of faith.
Some people have grown up in church but it often takes a special moment, an event to realize that our faith has become our own, not something somebody else wanted us to do. Some people have more recently come to discover God’s love and grace. For many the journey has been filled with detours and road blocks.
Wherever you are on the journey you are welcomed at Covenant. The Covenant community listens to one another, prays for one another, rejoices with one another every day.
"Giving Thanks in a Time of Adversity" by Ed Dillery Sermon given on November 21, 2010
One Perspective on a Small Story of Faith by Pat Tarr-
Given in Worship, Sunday September 20
Last year Rev. Goss preached on God’s big story. That big story clearly shapes my worldview to a great extent; and I am sure that story is accepted or affirmed by many of you as well.
Since I agreed to speak today, I have been reflecting on how my little story relates to God’s big story. And the first thing that I will say is that there has been no burning bush, no undeniable encounter on the road to Damascus, no dream that is so intense that I cannot put it out of my mind. The witness I share with you today is not a conversion story—unless….???
Well, here in 30 seconds are some seminal events in my life .
1—I have been awed by the mystery of existence. Why is there something rather than nothing? I suppose that seeking the answer to this question, more than anything else, led me to religious and philosophical writings early in life. I will come back to this awe and wonder in a minute.
2—I questioned the notion of an infallible bible as the source of answers to such questions, especially as they were presented to me in the mostly fundamentalist church in which I developed my early acceptance of Jesus Christ.
3—I have doubted God’s big story from time to time.
4—I have discovered what I believe is the way, the truth, and the life over many years and from many points of view.
5—I have concluded the following:
a) Who God is has been revealed most clearly through the incarnation in Jesus Christ; but continuing revelations of God mostly come through our encounters with other people. This should not be a surprise if our worldview posits that we were made in the image of God
b) We must find a way to share the epiphanies of God that we experience
Here is an aside: While many people long for something more in life—and they long for a way to talk about it, to doubt it, to wonder about it, to share it—much of modern society is cynical about God-talk, people are scorned or ridiculed for their beliefs, there are philosophies and worldviews that consider God’s big story to be complete superstition. What faith discussions remain are often put under the rubric of spirituality. Okay. Like the wide receiver who just caught the winning touchdown pass and says first that he praises God for giving him the opportunity—let me continue to share my little story.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he directs us “to work out our salvation with fear and trembling”. I would give those adjectives an existential twist as I work out my salvation with hope but no certainty.
And so, here are some of my epiphanies:
(1) Snow geese in the mountains of Pennsylvania
(2) Angel on my shoulder
(3) The solo aria from the marriage of Figaro, or Leslie’s [singing of Mallotte’s “The Lord’s Prayer”
So, I accept God’s big story, I believe in encounters that reveal who God is, I accept the gospel lessons about Jesus and his teachings.
While I believe I have practiced “random acts of kindness” throughout my life;
While I have accepted responsibility for, and obligated myself to, many charitable endeavors;
It is still another step—perhaps a giant leap—to intentionally put myself in the hands of God to do something where my level of confidence is low on the scale. As a Stephen Minister there is no way to operate except in the hands of God, and with the encouraging support of Barbara, Susan, Susanne, Marita, Bill, and Beth, we are all learning yet another way to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.”
We meet twice a month in a forum that allows us to share the little epiphanies of God that sustain us all.
Patrick Tarr, September 20, 2009
Sacrament of Baptism
At Baptism, a person makes vows to accept the saving love of Jesus Christ and enter into the church community. Baptism in our church takes place in public worship on Sunday morning and may occur at any age. If a person is not old enough to make baptism vows by him/herself, then a parent makes them on his/her behalf. Please contact the church and speak with Pastor Beth to arrange a Baptism. Unlike some denominations, Presbyterians do not require a person to be entirely immersed in water during Baptism, although that is a choice available. Water may be sprinkled on the head of the child or adult. When an infant or child is baptized, the church commits itself, along with the parent(s) to nurture the child in faith. Presbyterians believe that being washed with the water of baptism is being received into the new life in Christ.
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Every time the church celebrates Holy Communion we remember and re-enact Jesus' last meal with his disciples. This is the meal Jesus ate on the night before he was arrested, tried and condemned to death. We call this ritual meal "The Lord's Supper" or “Holy Communion.” In our congregation we celebrate Holy Communion at least once every month. Everyone is welcome to celebrate Holy Communion in the Presbyterian Church if they believe in Jesus Christ. They do not have to be a member of the church.
Would you like to learn more about joining the church?
Please contact Pastor Beth Goss to talk about Church of the Covenant.
More about the history and beliefs of the Presbyterian Church USA is at www.pcusa.org
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