The Messenger - March 12, 2009

Pastor's Ponderings
by Rev. Neal Neuenchwander

March 12, 2009

Noticing

By Rev. Neal Neuenschwander

Have you noticed that we are starting worship a little differently these days? Rather than making announcements from the lectern after both preludes are finished, we are making announcements from the floor between the two preludes. The purpose of this change is to help our the members of our congregation prepare their hearts for worship during the second prelude after announcements are done, but it has also benefited me.

I prepare the essence of my sermons several months ahead, but I often tinker with them incessantly--often at the very last moment. Then, under the old system, I rushed out to join the choir and enter the sanctuary with them. This certainly "energized" me for worship, but it also caused me to miss so many things. Now, I go out sooner and sit in the congregation during the first prelude, so I have a chance to hear it and I have a chance to notice how our sanctuary is arranged.

I'm noticing the flowers now--both who gave them and how they are arranged. I'm noticing who is in the chancel and which choirs are going to sing. I'm also noticing the dramatic drapes that Kim Petker has arranged--both the traditional lenten drape upon our central cross and the smaller, lighter drapes that she arranges on our table every week. I'm noticing Rob's preludes (which I rarely heard before) and the arrangements that Johannes may choose to play. I'm also noticing several announcements printed in the bulletin that hardly crossed my mind before.

If, like me, you have tended to rush in the sanctuary at the very last minute, I encourage to come early for the next few weeks. Not only will you notice things you've often missed before, you will also start your worship more focused and relaxed--ready to sense God's Holy Spirit and receive God's Holy Word. This short 5 minute interval has made a big difference for me. I hope it will for you.

Calendar
Week of March 12, 2009

• Friday

  8:30 am
  Tennis breakfast at Carrows

• Sunday

  8:30 - 9:30 am
  Adult Sunday School
• 9:30 am
  Worship (Pastor Neal/Paul Purdy); Children and Youth Sunday School (Sue Headley)

• Monday

  6:30 pm
  Youth Praise Band (Tim Gray)
• 7:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)

• Wednesday

  7:00 am
  Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's (Bob Erbacker)
• 1:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)
• 2:30 pm
  Beachcomber Beta Group
• 4:30 pm
  Cherub Choir (Emily Anderson)
• 4:30 pm
  Gospel Gang (Lesley Sirianni)
• 5:30 pm
  Kings Chorus (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  SonLight Singers (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  Jr. High Fellowship (Todd Bender)
• 7:00 pm
  Prayer Group
• 7:00 pm
  Chapel Bells (Nan Roberts)

• Thursday

  11:30 am
  Forever Young Luncheon
• 7:30 pm
  Chancel Choir

Looking Ahead

• March 28
  Rummange Sale

Editor's Corner

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