|
|
Soup Supper Celebration:
the place is a whirlwind of people milling and working’ cutting bread, setting up and finding a place for all the soup pots rolling in. The plan is set in place and each knows his or her task and all is ready by 6: pm when the “customers” begin to arrive. The pace was somewhat slower than the previous week because the lines were shorter. The lower number of people is normally expected the weeks following the popular Ash Wednesday soup supper. “The Golden Eagle Program for Native American Children” was the organization recipient for this week.
Ahhh! Time to rest? No way! Now it has switched to serving the soup, making sure the bread plate is filled on each table. Are there enough napkins and spoons set out? My goodness, are the peanut butter jars empty already? Then comes the real fun, the cleanup. We all know what that entails and by the time everyone has been fed with delicious soup with exotic names you begin to wonder where these people received their gourmet certificates!
PRAYER SERVICE - 7:00 in the Church
We were welcomed by Ron Joki’s friendly voice calling us to prayer. This evening’s prayer was to be a gentle nudge to find ways to better follow Jesus’ message for all to be His disciples. The many facets of Discipleship is this year’s overall Lenten theme at St. Joan’s and each of the Wednesday prayer services will also expand on this theme.
This particular service told of two different men and how they each were extensions of Christ’s disciples. The first one, Peter Maurin, was the co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement with Dorothy Day and we learned how his day-to-day work with the poor and his philosophy of seeing Christ in everyone made him a strong example of discipleship.
An excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From The Birmingham Jail” was read and upon hearing that well-known letter, we were reminded of another’s way of fulfilling the mission of discipleship.
In her reflection after these two readings, Lou Ann Sexton asked us to reflect on how we may have tried to live as disciples, in times of strength and in times of difficulty, as did the men referred to in the previous readings. “Let us reflect on how Jesus calls us to deepen our resolve to go beyond our own struggles and be disciples for those who need us most”, were her concluding words.
The prayer included reflective music such as the moving, “Deep River.” Anna’s melodica combined with Fred’s guitar made for a soothing sound appropriate for reflection and prayer.
The opening music for this evening’s prayer was “Somandela” an African song stating that “I will follow Jesus wherever He goes…” Some members of the choir who were in attendance, were called upon to aid with this song. I guess you might call their spontaneity and willingness another example of discipleship! This brings to mind all those soup makers, workers and servers - another way of discipleship perhaps?
This well planned, well integrated prayer service ended with a litany of ways we “walk” in this world. We walk with those who lack basic human rights, food, clothing and shelter; those who are ill or dying; those in the midst or brink of war; with scars telling of hard times. The litany ended with a prayer of healing. The response sung was an appropriate answer to it all, “I say YES my Lord in all the good times and bad and in every word You speak.”
The final song/prayer was “Day By Day” wherein we ask God to help us in these ways: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day..by day.
Thank you Ron and Lou Ann for your insights on Discipleship tonight. I read your message loud and clear and I pray that we all will say “Yes My Lord through all the good times and bad and help us to be good followers of Christ’s words and to be the disciples that You called us to be day by day.”
ADULT LENTEN PROGRAM
(This Life Long Learning program followed the prayer service in the church at 7:30 pm)
At that time her invitation to speak at a Women’s Ordination Summit spawned headlines when the Pope told her, under threat of excommunication, NOT to attend this meeting. He later rescinded his threat after he read her speech. It is that powerful!
 |
 |
 |
 |