Sharing the Water with All
World Mission Commissioning Service
“In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!” The voices of 800 gathered for morning worship in the convention center hall echoed this refrain in our opening hymn. Immediately I noticed once again this emphasis on the journey/pilgrimage. Mr. Hakeem Jerome Jefferson, a member of the Goodwill Presbyterian Church in Mayesville, SC, opened his sermon quoting Psalm 122:1 “ I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” You heard me quote that Psalm of Ascent yesterday. Though my delayed arrival left me feeling somewhat out of the flow and sequence of the work of the Assembly, the eloquent sermon entitled “Hope Is On the Horizon” returned a sense of balance and rootedness; gathered with the community of faith I was washed anew in the rivers of living water that flow from Christ through the hearts of believers.
I was struck immediately by the contrast the beautiful sanctuary at Westminster yesterday, and the cavernous convention hall. People were scattered throughout the hall, which could easily seat 5,000, so in some ways it reminded me of the way 30 members of a congregation spread out and seem to get lost in a sanctuary built to seat 800. I was reminded of Barbara Brown Taylor’s new book An Altar in the World as I thought about creating holy space in the midst of everyday activities in our lives. Greenery and banners of blue, aqua, green, and teal provided a backdrop, and the pulpit was covered in similar cloth, the streams of living water pouring forth from this liturgical enter. The prelude was Handel’s “Water Music” and the Assembly theme of rivers of living water was highlighted in prayer, liturgy, scripture, song, and sermon.
The faithful service of mission co-workers who have 20 or more years of mission service were recognized, along with missionaries who were retiring. In the commissioning service, 55 new and re-assigned missionaries and 122 Young Adult Volunteers stood to affirm their commitment to serve faithfully, and we promised to support our companions in mission with prayer, encouragement, and the resources for effective outreach. Two recent gifts to further our world-wide outreach totaling $650,000 were announced and greeted with applause.
To a jazz rendition of “Down By the Riverside” (that water theme is ever before us) we danced our way to the assembly hall where we would once again take up the work before us. Thanks for your prayers, support, and interest in our efforts to faithfully engage the gifts and resources entrusted by God to the PC(USA) to further the mission of Christ’s kingdom.
Keep the faith, and let the faith keep you. shalom wayne
Sharing the Water with All
World Mission Commissioning Service
“In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!” The voices of 800 gathered for morning worship in the convention center hall echoed this refrain in our opening hymn. Immediately I noticed once again this emphasis on the journey/pilgrimage. Mr. Hakeem Jerome Jefferson, a member of the Goodwill Presbyterian Church in Mayesville, SC, opened his sermon quoting Psalm 122:1 “ I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” You heard me quote that Psalm of Ascent yesterday. Though my delayed arrival left me feeling somewhat out of the flow and sequence of the work of the Assembly, the eloquent sermon entitled “Hope Is On the Horizon” returned a sense of balance and rootedness; gathered with the community of faith I was washed anew in the rivers of living water that flow from Christ through the hearts of believers.
I was struck immediately by the contrast the beautiful sanctuary at Westminster yesterday, and the cavernous convention hall. People were scattered throughout the hall, which could easily seat 5,000, so in some ways it reminded me of the way 30 members of a congregation spread out and seem to get lost in a sanctuary built to seat 800. I was reminded of Barbara Brown Taylor’s new book An Altar in the World as I thought about creating holy space in the midst of everyday activities in our lives. Greenery and banners of blue, aqua, green, and teal provided a backdrop, and the pulpit was covered in similar cloth, the streams of living water pouring forth from this liturgical enter. The prelude was Handel’s “Water Music” and the Assembly theme of rivers of living water was highlighted in prayer, liturgy, scripture, song, and sermon.
The faithful service of mission co-workers who have 20 or more years of mission service were recognized, along with missionaries who were retiring. In the commissioning service, 55 new and re-assigned missionaries and 122 Young Adult Volunteers stood to affirm their commitment to serve faithfully, and we promised to support our companions in mission with prayer, encouragement, and the resources for effective outreach. Two recent gifts to further our world-wide outreach totaling $650,000 were announced and greeted with applause.
To a jazz rendition of “Down By the Riverside” (that water theme is ever before us) we danced our way to the assembly hall where we would once again take up the work before us. Thanks for your prayers, support, and interest in our efforts to faithfully engage the gifts and resources entrusted by God to the PC(USA) to further the mission of Christ’s kingdom.
Keep the faith, and let the faith keep you. shalom wayne
