Lucky #13

I am a little concerned. I've dropped to running only once a week and I'm supposed to be building up so that I can run a 5K and not suck too much wind or worse....WALK. The plan is to run in the Chestertown 5K next Saturday. Check out what a celebration this town will have going on! Chestertown Festival .

I'll probably be fine! We'll see...

I listen to "The Happy Song" often when I run and today it gave me thoughts about worship.

One of my sons just returned from a trip to Berlin and Prague that was part of a film class in college. He had great experiences...the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, a concentration camp, a soccer game, Radio Free Europe, a pub (or two). One of his stories really stood out for me. He said that whenever they were traveling by bus in Prague the people were really stoic. Hands folded, looking forward, no conversation, no eye contact. In fact, the students stood out because they were NOT like this. They got stares (oops! no eye contact!). And that also made me think about worship.

Are we too often afraid to be happy in worship? I understand the need for reverence and respect but seems like too often we take that too far. When my youngest was about five, he and his brothers attended another church while visiting relatives. On the drive home, they described the service to me as being so serious! And then the little voice in the back of the car said, "I was thinking it was a little TOO holy!" Good news is happy news. And we should behave like it is.

Here's something to think about. A report just came out from the Methodist Church that I'm sure would apply to most mainline protestant churches (at least). A study was done (among United Methodists) about what most people expect to happen in worship. The centrality of God to worship was "high" for only 20% of those who responded. When the specific question was asked, "Do you expect to have an experience of the living God, the risen Christ, or the power of the Holy Spirit when you worship?" 72% said no, 53% had never thought about it or didn't understand the question, 13% would like to, and only 11% said yes (multiple answers could be made). Read the full study here .

Does it seem like a disconnect to you? If we're "dour" in worship because we're being respectful and reverent toward God...how does that make sense when most of us don't even expect God (or Christ or the Holy Spirit) to be present?

I am so excited about worship tomorrow at our church. There are thirteen young men and women getting "confirmed"...making a public declaration of their faith in God through Jesus Christ and joining the church. Three of them are also getting baptized. I can't wait! I have gotten to know these young people very well over the last year of Sunday morning classes, service projects, and a retreat. They are such great kids and they are READY.

I am expecting to have an experience of the living God, the risen Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.