Summer Worship Reflections – Part 2

Here’s What Folks Are Saying!

Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship.  The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive.  I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.

On July 10th the scripture was Isaiah 43:18-21.  The discussion questions were:

1. What is God promising to Israel?
2. God asks Israel to “not remember the former things or consider things of old”.  Why might God ask this of them?
3. God says, “I am about to do a new thing..”  What “new thing” do you think God is about to do at FCC?  How do you know?  
4. How might FCC respond to what God is up to?

After discussing the questions at their tables, one person was invited to write down the highlights of their conversation.  Here is what people are saying in general response to the scripture questions:

• God will care for us all – no matter what
• Look to now and move forward
• Trust in God, have faith
• We must do the new thing
• Pray
• Be open and welcoming
• Listen
• Be involved
• Embrace the uncertainty of the future
• Keep our love for each other
• Keep eyes and ears open for the new good thing
• All our staff have changed
• Let go of old things and start new things
• He is taking care of us. Making a change is okay
• Cannot look back.
• Goodbye to the old.
• God is always with us.
• We are reorganizing.
• New minister
• Working to be more prepared
• Different interpretations
• Do not remember old ways – Values NOW
• Bring people in- We’ve been unsettled for a long time
• God will help us through change and new situations
• We must open our hearts to everyone – look ahead
• Make outside welcome so families will come
• The Lord will take of us
• Accept the unfamiliar ; Forge ahead
• Put the past behind us
• We don’t know, but God will provide. We should move forward with faith and trust.
• All are welcome. Do not fear change and embrace.
• Form a search committee
• God will provide safety, guidance, presence, protect
• Open minded to be receptive to what’s new and look back, you will be remind to what’s new
• FCC embrace change
• Dialog, share ideas, look at options, recognize
• Resist cynicism 
• Bright end of tunnel is coming – Trust in God
• Dwelling on the past makes us immobile. Need to be open to new experiences, way of doing things.
• People here today shows God is working through us
• Listen/ open minded
• God will do new things and we may not immediately perceive it. “A way in the wilderness” hearkens to the coming of the Messiah.
• It is very hard to give up “the way things have always been done” even though they have not always been done that way.
• Changing the church to match where people are. Jesus came to meet us where we are. The church was created to serve. The church was created to help the poor, the widows, the orphans, and those whose needs are beyond their capabilities. We have been blessed to be a blessing. In the past, those in need have come to the church. Now those in need have seen “churches” that have been places of judgment and greed, and in some cases actually do harm. Places that take away the individual relationship with God and present a “we (or I) will tell you what to believe” doctrine. The emptiness of that message is plain to those who already have emptiness in their lives and it is easier for them to ignore all churches. There must be a better way for God’s church, our church to reach those in need. I think that is coming.
• Abraham was willing to give up Isaac for his faith. What are we willing to give up for our faith? How do we reach those that are disillusioned by life, who feel like there could be more to it but do not know where to find it