Author: TCC

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“Follow Christ” – by Doug Brown

Today’s worship really brought the spirit of connecting the old and the new.  The use of the song “The Old, Old Path” first as part of the scripture really gave me the opportunity to reflect on the words of the song.  The old version also caused me to feel the spirit that has been tied to that song since my baptism.  We also had a wonderful message which talked about people who were at one time lost and then finding Christ.  Now they are leading others to Christ.  It made me think about how I should ask others to follow Christ more often as you never know whom may need that invitation.

We finished with “The Old, Old Path” – the new version.  Although this version was “new” to everyone we were able to see the beauty in the newness and it reminds me of the new life that Christ brings to each one of us.

– January 26, 2014 Weekly Theme Reflection by Doug Brown

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“Called to Serve” – by Cindy Weaver

Today’s theme speaks to me in so many ways.  The word “called” makes me think of a journey, and being a servant really is a journey.  When Jeff started being a servant, I really, really didn’t understand how he felt so strongly about it.  It wasn’t until I was well into my own journey that I did understand.  “I’m just going to” is how it started.  I’m just going to go to the Christmas play, the Thanksgiving potluck, the Christmas dinner, the carol sing.  This turned in to “I need to” or “they” need me to.  For example, learning more about the church and the bible, or “they need me”-someone is sick can you fill in.

Danny mentioned discerning where God wants him to serve others today.  To give others guidance, I have struggled with the concept of discernment.  It wasn’t until last year that I felt I understood discerning for myself what I should be doing.  The preparation for the national conference, the mission initiatives and the enduring principles have clarified discerning what God wants for me to serve others.

The mission initiative, develop disciples to serve, is totally correct.  I see Jesus as my friend who continually walks with me; loving me and supporting me.  I have moved from a feeling of “need to do” to wanting to give back to those around me.  To try to be more like Jesus in my love, acceptance, helpfulness and giving to others.  I have gone from dipping my toe in the service of others to jumping in the deep end.  Do I have all the answers?  No, God is more subtle and allows us to learn and grow and sometimes be uncomfortable as a way to learn.  I am doing things I never thought I would and I am blessed much more than I think I bless others.  Being Called to Serve is a two way relationship.  By being myself and stretching myself, I can make a difference and I can learn on a journey that is ever changing.  I have become a more loving and caring person since starting this journey.  I am changed and look forward to where my journey takes me in the future.

– January 19, 2014 Weekly Theme Reflection by Cindy Weaver

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Why Church? – by Erik Nilsen

Being a member of the Tuality Community of Christ congregation is all about “connecting” for me.  I have opportunities in worship and service to connect with my higher self and to live out the principles of love and transformation and acceptance that I see modeled by the ministry of Christ.  I attend because of the connections that I make with people who are like me in their desire to walk the path of discipleship and yet who are very different from me along so many different and interesting dimensions.  I have church friends who are young and old, liberal and conservative, straight and queer, wealthy and homeless, black, tan and peach colored, healthy and infirm.  I am privileged to be part of a community that openly shares their triumphs and struggles, joys and sorrows.  On a regular basis, we live out the Apostle Paul’s counsel in Romans 12 to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”  By opening myself up to their story and participating in their lives, I feel more connected with humanity and yes, am constantly surprised by a connection with divine love that can break through in the most unexpected circumstances.  I am a member because I am connected with the diverse expression of gifts and perspectives that I experience in our worships.  From this old college professor sharing spiritual insights derived from research in Neuroscience to a child playing piano, to a person struggling with serious health issues sharing their testimony of being fed and supported by church friends.  Finally, my life is enriched by the connections between human experience and divine love that is available through the sacraments of the church http://www.cofchrist.org/sacraments/. They make visible God’s grace and generosity. The sacraments are a glimpse of who God is and what God calls us to be. As we are blessed by the sacraments, we receive power to share the peace of Jesus Christ and to fulfill our mission in the world.  To finish, I would like to share a few words from a song in our new hymnal entitled “For Everyone Born” that captures the reason for hope that being a member of this faith community gives to me.  For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, to work to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free.

– Why Church? by Erik Nilsen

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Why Church blog series begins!

In such a busy world, I often wonder why people would take the time/effort/energy to attend church on Sunday mornings.  In a world where Christian can be a dirty word, I’ve also wondered why people would bother to associate with a church at all.  Perhaps you’ve wondered the same question or a similar vein of it before.  This blog series is dedicated to letting people share their answer to the question, “Why Church?”  Check out what some of our members and friends have to say in response to: “Why do you come to church?  Why do you think church is important?  Why do you worship with Community of Christ?”

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“Fulfill All Righteousness” – by Margaret Carpenter

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul, your strength and your might.”  “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”   These verses reflect today’s theme.  The Psalm of Lament (Psalm 1:5) spoke to me because my soul thirsts for God and when I do he always answers me.  This service reminded me that “no one is righteous, no not one.”  But to strive to be Christ like and to be still and look to God first for peace.  What this theme meant to me is that God is love and peace and that as a church family we can remind each other of God’s righteousness.

– January 12, 2014 Weekly Theme Reflection by Margaret Carpenter

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Modern Day Psalms

This morning during the 11 am worship time, we were all invited to immerse ourselves in Psalms.  We read them, sang, them and even wrote some of our own.  Below are some of the psalms written from the memories, experiences, and trials of our members and friends:

“Your river of peace flows before my eyes and into my soul.
These days it is a magnificent swirling, spraying blast
that rolls right over the giant rocks of sorrow I bear.
Other days it is my calming friend,
bringing God’s grace and goodness as I stand by its edge,
washing downstream my doubts.
God’s perfect ribbon of life.” – Ann

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“Lord of All Creation
You have been my strength and support.
You have blessed me above any worth in me.
You have been at my side in times of peril.
You have blessed me above all in knowing you care when my heart is low.
In all this I cannot repay, but I lay my life before thee for what I yet may be.” – Don

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“Who are you, oh God?
You are the One I praise for creating this
beautiful place.
You are the One I turn to when life is hard
and I don’t understand why things happen
as they do.
You are the One who touches me when I feel alone.
You are the One who touches me in the spirit of song.
You are the One who to look at me from a burning campfire
or down from a star-filled sky.
You are the One I praise when I feel a baby’s breath on my cheek.
You are God – I see your presence in the world.
May I follow in the footsteps of your son who was sent to be with us.” – Anonymous

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“It sits on the shelf,
that hideous eye sore.
Try as I may to ignore it,
it is always in my field of vision.
The almost empty glass, the last
few droplets evaporating daily.

When thirst arises, there is
no relief from that old reservoir.
It’s been used up.
Once overflowing
it thought it could provide drink
enough for the whole world.

Too quickly does the water run out when we work alone.

Love and light, fill my cup again.
I cannot survive on
cobwebs and broken dreams.

Fill my cup, oh God.

I long for that cool, crisp relief, that will allow me to
give again.

Love and light, fill my cup.” – Emily
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“When I love you with all my soul and heart
I know you’re with me, you’ll never part.
You God are goodness and you are love
And you send to me angels from heaven above.” – Margaret

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“In this crazy, scary time,
I wonder where you are.
Yet I hear you in
my children’s laughing.
My family is struggling.
and I’m scared
but also excited for the
new paths ahead.
Thank you for my children,
the roof over my head,
and the sunrise everyday.” – Anonymous

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“O God, I’m sad and lowly.
O God, I need comfort
O God, I need you to hold my broken heart and show me how to live now.
O God, make me want to live again, make me want to fight disease.
O God, comfort me, hold me, love me, touch me today.” – Mark

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“Wonderous
Eventful
Adversity
Volatile
Enduring

Uncertain
Sacred” – Andrew

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“On this day my heart is filled with love.
Love for your being.
Love for family.
Love for the world around me.
Gladness in my heart to be able to worship you
in a land free to worship.” – Anonymous

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“Living Water, Flowing Spirit,
I’m stuck today in the muddy, swirling shallows.
buffeted by driftwood, dog paddling
to keep my head up!
I long for the deep flowing channel
floating to new opportunities and surprises
buoyed up by love.
Help me to let go and let you.” – Erik

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What wonderful expressions of praise and lament.  If you have a psalm you’d like to share below, already written or one of your own, feel free to do so.  May we find truth in light in our moments of stillness, crying out for help, and singing with joy.  Amen.

 

 

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“Gladness for Sorrow” – by Harold Lasley

The children’s moment reminded me of something important about sorrow.  Ann Short explained how grapes are crushed to make grape juice.  It reminded me of how sorrow can intensify our capacity to bless others.  The truth is that much good has come from suffering and sorrow, just as crushing grapes intensifies their goodness.  It also reminded me of a scripture for times of sorrow: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30)

– January 5, 2014 Weekly Theme Reflection by Harold Lasley

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Weekly Theme Reflection Blog Series

This set of blog posts aims to allow us to hear how worship is affecting the hearts and lives of participants, members, and friends.  Each Sunday morning, a different person is asked to write a short reflection on the worship and theme.

Those reflecting were asked to use any of the following questions to guide them: What elements of the service spoke to you today?  What are you taking away from today’s service?  What is the Spirit trying to tell you?  What does today’s theme mean to you?

Entries in this blog series will be title with the theme and date of the service.  They will be categorized under “Weekly Theme Reflection.”  

Thank you to those who have offered their voices and thoughts to this series.  Your voice is an important part of our community.  May these posts help show how corporate  worship can add joy and meaning to our lives.

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Welcome Tuality Blog Community

Welcome to the Tuality Community of Christ Blog!

As Community of Christ represents people from different backgrounds, cultures, and of different age groups, let’s start with a quick explanation of what a blog is.  “Blog” comes from the words “web log” and is often a journal-like collection of individual opinions, links to other sites, and or musings of life that is updated on a regular basis.  A blog can have one main writer or many writers who contribute to its content.

This blog is dedicated to the members and friends of Tuality Community of Christ, both near and far.  There will be many voices that bring this space to life, and you are invited to participate in loving discussion through the comments section as well.  It is our hope that this space bring us all a little closer together, even if we are physically far apart.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your story, may this space be a place you can come to connect to the message of love, joy, hope, and peace.