November 14, 2019

"A high school stage play is more polished than this service we have been rehearsing since the year one. In two thousand years, we have not worked out the kinks. We positively glorify them. Week after week we witness the same miracle: that God is so mighty he can stifle his own laughter. Week after week, we witness the same miracle: that God, for reasons unfathomable, refrains from blowing our dancing bear act to smithereens. Week after week Christ washes the disciples' dirty feet, handles their very toes, and repeats, It is all right -- believe it or not -- to be people.

"Who can believe it?"

--Annie Dillard, Teaching a Stone to Talk

Dear Church of the Apostles,

Over the next few weeks I will be writing a note to help us be more comfortable in our new worship space and with our new worship movements.

Let’s consider the movement of taking communion together.

In our Eucharistic Celebration service we move in Word and Sacrament toward the sacrifice of Jesus who redeems our lives and calls us to himself. The Eucharistic table is the climactic moment in our worship of God together.

Time at the communion table is a gift to us, a moment where we pause and receive God’s gift of grace. We believe that through the bread and wine God actually heals, actually forgives, and actually empowers us. Therefore, we will savor the time when we receive the bread and wine.

The ushers will dismiss you by rows. Our fantastic ushers are learning their rhythm as well, but the idea is that we do not want anyone standing in the aisle for too long. Take this time of waiting in your seats to prepare your hearts by worshipping God in song or listening in quiet contemplation before you move to the table. Some of us who have embraced the motions of Anglican worship will bow when we exit the row signifying that the walk up the aisle is a an act of accepting our holy God’s welcome to the table.

When you arrive at the front of the sanctuary move toward the outside aisle, line up across the front, face the cross and altar, take a deep breath of rest, and wait to receive both the bread and wine. We will bring both the paten and chalice to you. It will be tempting to slide toward the outside aisle as the person next to you returns to her seat. Resist that urge, stay still, and remain in rest.

After you have received the bread and wine, feel free to return to your seat by using the outside aisles. Children, parents, and spouses who come to the table together should wait until everyone in your family receives communion.

I have loved learning our new space together over these past five Sundays. We will settle into our rhythm of life together over the weeks, months, and years to come. In the meantime, we will rest in the confidence that “It is all right -- believe it or not -- to be people.”

"Who can believe it?”

Peace and Hope,

Brian+