"Sharing - How God Feeds Me" 

I mention in my 2011 Annual Report, how the experience in 2010 of following the full process of the Natural Church Development (NCD), including having an excellent NCD Coach, Pastor Margay Whitlock lead us through the process, and then, having seventy persons offer feedback at focus groups last summer.  I share how this spiritual exercise has been a primary shaper of my ministry in 2011 and into 2012.  From the summer focus groups and review of the NCD results on September 30, the theme “Feed my Flock - Feed the World” has been identified as our theme of mission for 2012 and perhaps beyond into 2013. 

From those vital days of spiritual reflection and vibrant feedback by the NCD Health Team and the Focus Groups, the following idea is now becoming a new worship reality at St. John’s.  Starting February 5, at all three worship services, a new liturgical experience will begin.  Twice a month, following the Prayer of the Day and before the reading of the First Lesson, when we launch into the joy of hearing God’s Living Word addressed to us, a person from St. John’s will briefly share how God feeds them in their devotional life.  We are calling it:  “Sharing -  How God Feeds Me.” For a minute to ninety seconds or so, various persons will do just this - personally share how God feeds them during the week, sustaining the life-giving connection with the Living Word, Jesus. 

 This spiritual sharing could not come at a better time, for the Prayer of the Day always expresses and exposes the worship theme of that particular worship experience.  In “Sharing - How God Feeds Me,” the witness of one of our members will demonstrate “in real  time” how God feeds the flock in our spiritual faith walk on a daily basis leading up to weekly Sunday worship.   The challenge for all Christians in today’s demanding and distractive lifestyles, is how do we find the time and carry with us into the Mondays through Saturdays what God has given to us in the Living Word on Sundays through Word and Sacraments?  

Without question, by God’s grace and love, we are literally and regularly fed on Sunday mornings with Jesus, the Living Word, through written and spoken scripture and through the bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion.  Now, twice a month for a minute-and-a-half or so, people will have a chance to share how God feeds their lives throughout the week, sharing their devotional “exercises,” practices, activities and personal resources, that is, their sustainable moment of connecting with the Living Word in their own homes and relationships with others.

On January 29, I will announce in worship, the beginnings of this spiritual sharing in our worship life, starting February 5.  I hope, as you read this, perhaps, God is asking you to contact me or one of the members of the NCD Health Team, so that you might share how God graces your life so that you make and take the time to walk with God’s Living Word, Jesus, Sunday through Sunday, especially in the midst of very busy, demanding days. 

The persons serving on the NCD Health Team in addition to myself are:  Bob Deik, Chris Cuttler,  Betty Smith, Doris Schafer, Art and Linda Upright, and Steve Jones.  Let any of us know if you have a brief devotional life and approach to share in how you might stay connected with the God of Life. Listen and see if God may be asking you at some time during the upcoming year, to share the ways you spiritually connect with God and God with you. It might just help someone else connect with God in a powerful, spiritual way.  “With God, all things are possible.” 

“Sharing - How God Feeds Me.”  Pray about it.  Think about it.  Listen for it.  Be open to hear God’s Living Word in the most unexpected ways.  The sharing of others will prayerfully, hopefully, deepen your own spiritual life in 2012 and beyond.  It starts on February 5. 

Peace,

Pastor