Worship Tools

During this time when we cannot immerse ourselves in the physical experience of church, it can be difficult to find physical and focused space for prayer, meditation, and contemplation. In the church sanctuary, we are surrounded by many sensory experiences that impact our engagement in worship: the sound (in the room) of music, silence, whispers, and talking; the sight of windows, symbols, faces, and architecture; the feeling of holding hymnals, vibrating voices, and shared space.

While not a replacement for that environment, we hope over time to provide short videos from our Director of Music, Bob Shoup, that can help create an immersive, worshipful atmosphere while in our homes. We hope that they are “directive” enough thematically to be spiritually useful, but also broad and “open” enough to allow for each person to find their own meaningful experience.

“Rising”

Easter Visual Postlude

“Let Justice Roll Like a River”

“Waiting”

The first short video is, “Waiting.” Inspired by passages from the Psalms and writings of Rumi, it simply acknowledges our experience of waiting: its stillness, our impatience, and our capacity for hope.

“What If”

We have been thinking a lot about the global nature of the COVID19 pandemic, and the very palpable way in which it has forced a shared world-wide experience. Regardless of culture, tradition, or faith affiliation, humans across the earth share an experience of disruption and disorientation. It has reminded us of how often, when things are “normal,” we fail to embrace that global sense of community. We are so easily drawn into the language of us-and-them, forgetting that every “them” is a beautiful creation.

We hope this helps us all remember the community to which we belong, and that our physical separation is dispelled by connectedness of heart and spirit which leads to hope and peace… and the place where love is.