Rejoicing Spirits at Calvary Lutheran Church November 17, 2013 The theme for this Rejoicing Spirits Sunday: Together We Give Thanks This afternoon forty-two worshippers gathered to give glory to God and to offer him thanks for the many blessings we receive through his loving care. It was also our third year to celebrate our annual November Bring a Friend Sunday and to honor many friends of Calvary s Rejoicing Spirits. Every person who supported this month s service had his/her name posted on the doors leading into the chapel, and on the doors near the welcome table there was a leaf for every person Rejoicing Spirits is designed to serve, with his/her name printed on its center. Thanks to everyone for making our service and fellowship what it is! Absolutely wonderful! Prior to our opening song, Joyce reminded everyone that we were going to honor our friends today, both old (gold) friends and new (silver) friends, and also recognize those friends who so faithfully support Rejoicing Spirits. She talked about what makes a good friend, according to a variety of quotes, and read one from Edgar Watson Howe that made many chuckle. When a friend is in trouble, don t annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. Pre-Worship Song Our music director T.J. led us as we sang Make New Friends. As with all of our songs, everyone who wanted to play a hand instrument along with the beat did so. There are many different types of hand instruments from which to select, and we always sing to music from a keyboard (played by Ashley), guitar (played by Ben) and drums (played by Jim). Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold. A circle is round, it has no end. That s how long I will be your friend. A fire burns bright, it warms the heart. We ve been friends from the very start.
Welcome and Announcements Pat welcomed everyone, and thanked her husband Rick for baking and decorating the lovely cake we have today in honor of our friends. We are happy to announce that Vicar Cindy is now going to become Associate Pastor Cindy Muse, and fill the position that was held by Pastor Bill. Joyce introduced her friend Charlie, who came from New Jersey to visit us for the first time on this special day. They have been friends for fifty years - truly gold friends. Pat introduced her friend Carolyn, who has visited us before. It was great to see her again! Carolyn and Pat have also been friends for a long time. We then recognized the aides who so faithfully bring worshippers to our service. Each received a treat bag of silver wrapped Hershey s kisses and gold wrapped Hugs. Martha was also honored for the years she was a faithful aide who brought five worshippers every month. She demonstrates the important role that staff plays. Since her retirement, we have not seen the Rejoicing Spirits friends whom she always brought with her. Opening Song We raised our voices in praise to sing Lord, I Lift Your Name on High. Lord, I lift your name on high. Lord, I love to sing your praises. I m so glad you re in my life, I m so glad you came to save us. The Service Continues After our confession and a prayer offered by Pastor Arden Krych, we passed the peace. This is a special time for Rejoicing Spirits where everyone who is able leaves his or her seat to greet others with a handshake and the phrase, The peace of the Lord be with you or, more simply, Peace be with you. This practice follows the tradition of the early church and gives those who attend one more opportunity to feel truly welcome at worship.
Song and Scripture Readings We sang with enthusiasm Shout to the Lord. My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise the wonders of your love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength: let ev ry breath, all that I am, never cease to worship you. Shout to the Lord, all the earth; let us sing power and majesty to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. Brian read the first reading from Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Skyler read the second reading from 1 Corinthians 1:4 - I give thanks to my God always for you because the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus. Samantha read the third reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - For everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Messsage Pastor Krych spoke of how God has asked us to pray at all times, and of how many gifts we have through Jesus Christ our Lord. There are not only friends to be thankful for, but many other things, too. Worshippers listed some items for which they wanted to give thanks, including a sleep test! Thanksgiving is a special time to offer God our deepest gratitude for our gifts, but God wants us to also remember to pray at all times and in all circumstances during our lives. Song of Response For each song we sing, worshippers who wish to come forward with their hand instruments to help lead the singing do so. After the message today, all came forward who wanted to, and everyone sang Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart. Motions are lively for this song, as they are for most that we sing, and, as always, we sang and played our hand instruments with joy in our hearts.
Prayers Those who wanted to offer an individual prayer walked to the front of the chapel. Martha offered God thanks for her recovery from a severe sickness she developed on her trip to Africa, and thanks were offered for a good night s sleep on Friday and also for the good gifts that God gives us. We also had a number of intercessory prayers. We prayed for Pat s older sister and her friend, who both lost a spouse this year and now must face Thanksgiving alone, and also for the many widows we now have at Calvary. May they find support in their Widows Connect group. We prayed for those suffering after the hurricane in the Philippines, for our friend Betty, who is recovering after eye surgery, for a friend who recently had a stint put in the heart, and for Heather, who just had surgery after an aneurism in the brain. Fred led us in the Lord s Prayer. Birthday Celebration Those celebrating birthdays in the month of November came forward to be honored: Janet, Eileen, Chuck, Susan, Joyce and Charlie. We also remembered Betty s birthday, even though she could not be with us today due to her surgery. Their ages spanned from sixty to eighty-seven. We sang to them all! Happy Birthday to you. May Jesus bless you, and guide you and keep you the whole year through. (second verse) Closing Song We closed with Together in One Spirit, the Rejoicing Spirits theme song that was written by Herb Frombach for our Rejoicing Spirits ministry. As is tradition at Calvary, those who came forward locked arms and swayed to the beat as they sang: One church, one body, one faith, one Lord. Together in one Spirit, rejoicing in His word. All created equal, together we belong, United in one body, rejoicing in one song. All joined in to sing these most meaningful words. Benediction and Dismissal Pastor Krych gave the benediction and Samantha gave the dismissal. Go in peace to serve and love the Lord. The congregation responded: Thanks be to God.
Fellowship and Refreshments After the service, we met in the parlor adjoining the chapel, as we always do, for warm fellowship and delicious refreshments. The table looked especially pretty with our Rejoicing Spirits cake, the gold and silver wrapped candies to represent new and old friends, and the lovely autumn flowers. We lingered to visit for quite a long time, and left wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Next Month Please join us for our next Rejoicing Spirits worship service on Sunday afternoon, December 15, 2013, at four o clock in the chapel at Calvary Lutheran Church, 730 South New Street, West Chester, PA. Our December worship service is always a meaningful, but festive, occasion, with a surprise handmade ornament for everyone. We meet the third Sunday of every month at 4:00 p.m. Please enter at the back of the building by the door off of the parking lot. All are welcome.