Category: Worship Experiences

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A summer that’s renewing, relevant and based in relationship…

If your family is like ours, you’re starting to dream of summer plans. The spring sunlight invites us to grab our calendar and quickly fill it with plans and ideas for grand adventures.

But is our church family’s calendar looking the same way? Are we looking for opportunities to participate in our church’s life with the same excitement and enthusiasm?

This summer, I invite you to focus not only on schedules and ‘busy’-ness, but also on renewal, relationships and being relevant. Many of us find these opportunties through communal worship in our faith community. How can you help provide worship at Tuality Community of Christ that is renewing and relevant and provides blessings to you and others this summer?

Are you good at planning and organizing, creating a welcoming and sacred space, putting words to Jesus’ message of mission, performing the sacraments, praying, singing, listening, being…all of these (and more) are talents and unique offerings which are crucial to our worship together. It is through our worship that we come into our identity and calling as a Community of Christ….

‘Community of Christ,’ your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling.
If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future,
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Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go. Doctrine and Covenants 163:1

Please consider where God is calling you to serve through worship at Tuality Community of Christ this summer. As a group, we have commited to a volunteer based schedule, so your stepping forward to provide ministry is crucial to our ability to provide a spiritual home. See 2015 Worship Calendar to volunteer.

Blessings,
co-Pastor Roberta
experience-congregations-icon75
summer worship setting

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Reaching and Lifting Hearts Through Song- by Carla Nilsen

Have you ever had your teenager rush to the piano to open your hymnal and excitedly show their friends a new hymn?  Well, with this new, wonderful new hymnal, that has happened at my house.  More than once, Ryan has enthusiastically showed more than one of his friends his new favorite hymn lyrics.  It’s Community of Christ Sings number #340, “We are Children of Creation”.  His favorite line is

“We are children of creation, star flung bits of living fire, creatures with imagination, framed with passion and desire…”

As you can imagine, this gives my mamma heart joy!  I too love the new hymnal and many of the hymns in it!

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Last fall, during a Hymn Sing service, we all chose songs from the new hymnal that were meaningful to us.  Many of us chose our favorite hymns that we’ve loved for a long time, some chose new songs that we’ve come to love, and some chose songs that they don’t know yet, but they like the lyrics and would love to learn.   So here is that list that TCC made.  Use it to enhance your devotional time-read the lyrics, or use some of these songs if you are planning a worship service for TCC.  If you ever need help teaching a new hymn, please let me know.  I love helping us sing from our new hymnal.

Favorite Hymns

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Guided By the Spirit- Lyle Anderson

Read Lyle Anderson’s reflection on his experience planning and presiding for worship at Tuality Community of Christ:

‘Early on in my graduate theology and ministry studies I was blessed by the opportunity to have as an adviser a professor and Presbyterian minister who hailed from Brazil, the Rev. Dr. Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey. She was fond of saying “Out of duty we do things well. Out of Love, we do things beautifully.” She helped me become more sensitive to the “little things,” helped me to try and live the liturgy when I plan and preside, and to do so out of love and thus “beautifully”, even when I stumble and fumble…
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I hope that others who were present [during the worship experience] were able to engage in sacramental encounter with the Holy and the sacred gathered community as I was, and be blessed, filled, renewed and empowered for mission though our time together and went forth open to be Guided by the Spirit in all places where they find themselves and live out their discipleship.’ -excerpt from Lyle’s Full Blog Post

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Advent Greetings from Tuality Community of Christ

During this advent season, Tuality Community of Christ congregation joined together in the telling of the sacred story.  Through our fellowship and worship this advent season, we focused on telling the sacred story with themes of Joy, Hope, Love and Peace.  Our song, prayer and storytelling during our time together were examples of these themes.  As a prelude to worship each Sunday during this Advent, a ‘greeting card video’ was presented.  The links to those videos are below*.  May you find Joy, Hope, Love and Peace as you dwell in the visions and sounds of the coming of Christmas. *To enjoy the video in sequence: When you link to the video, set the ‘autoplay’ stopwatch icon in the right hand corner to 4 seconds

To Tuality Community of Christ Hope Is…

To Tuality Community of Christ Love Is...

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To Tuality Community of Christ Peace Is…

 

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God’s Beautiful and Familiar Music- Reflections on TCC’s Hymn Sing by Roberta LaHue Brown and Carla Nilsen

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the church’s unveiling of our new hymnal: Community of Christ Sings.  In celebration of that anniversary, we gathered together for worship.  Erik and Carla Nilsen led us in a variation on the traditional ‘song and testimony’ service, a style of worship very familiar to our faith tradition.  For the testimony sharing portion of the service, Erik guided the congregation in a time of introspection and guided reflection.  Asking the congregation to leaf through our ‘new’ hymnal, he asked us to find a hymn that spoke particularly to us or carried with it a memory or testimony of God in our lives.

As I leafed through the hymnal, looking for a hymn that might spark a testimony, I found myself remembering the first time I ever leafed through a hymnal.  It was just before I was baptized during the summer that I was eight years old.  I was sitting at a family church camp, being asked by my mom to help plan my baptismal service by selecting my favorite hymns.  These hymns would be sung by those participating with me, through their singing, as I stepped into the waters of baptism.

There were three hymns that I chose that day, each of them with special meaning to me then, and now.  As I sat in church yesterday, and remembered that first action as a member, the participation of planning a worship and sacrament, I wondered if that first action influenced my passions in the life of my congregation today.  As a member of our congregation’s pastorate team, I am the community’s worship facilitator.  In this role, I often find myself leafing through the hymnal, planning and presiding for worships.  During this time of devotion I am listening and discerning for God’s voice to speak to me from those hymnal pages, guiding me to decision and action, and watching and participating in God’s unveiling story through our time together in worship.  God’s voice always resounds through those familiar and new tunes and guides this Community of Christ to passion and action.

As I leafed through our new blue-covered hymnal on Sunday, I reflected on our congregation’s and church’s life and how many changes there have been over the decades.  Our hymnal is so symbolic of our story.  The book binding on the hymnal has changed over the years, some songs are sung through the decades without change or variation, other songs have lost favor and become obsolete, yet new ones are written and sung for the first time,.  With these changes, the spirit of the hymnal is still the same.  The music continues to enliven us and our awareness of God’s presence and call to mission.  I think of how these same things are true with our church.  The times and the context of our church’s story is also changing.  Our understanding of God’s message takes a different shape, yet the message and the ‘familiar tune’ are the same.  As we move forward in the world and life of our church, I hope we continue to find new and different ways to bring forth God’s message.  I pray that the tune not only be heard by our own hearts, but also by the hearts of others, so that all may hear God’s beautiful and familiar music.    By Roberta LaHue Brown

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“The Kingdom of God Is Near”- By Roberta LaHue Brown

 

In my life, I’ve been enjoying a book entitled ‘An Altar in the World.’  In this book, Barbara Brown Taylor points out the importance of recognizing that it is in the ‘ordinary’ of life that we connect with God.  Also, at Tuality Community of Christ we’ve been exploring the text of Matthew.  Specifically, through July we’ve touched on verses in chapter 13, where Jesus uses parables, a method of teaching that draws parallels between the ‘ordinary’ of everyday life, to bring understanding about God.  On July 27th, I presided and planned a service where we explored the scriptures and parables found in Matthew 13: 31-52.  In these parables, Jesus begins several parables with ‘The kingdom of God is like…’

One of the phrases that stands out to me in this particular section of scripture is Matthew 43, where Jesus says ‘Are you listening to this? Really listening?’ (Matthew 13:43, The Message (MSG)). In response to that question, the congregation was lead in a responsive prayer (based on Matthew : 13: 51-52, MSG)

Leader: In telling of these parables Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”

Congregation: Then the people said “Yes.”

Leader: Then Jesus said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”

Congregation: We are listening, God.  We are getting a handle on all this.   Thank you for your teaching and bringing an example through Christ.  Amen

Also in response to the teachings found through the scriptures we were dwelling on, the congregation was asked to draw on some of their own experiences and observations.  To draw parallels between the ‘ordinary’ and the kingdom of God.  Some of those responses are shared here:

The kingdom of God is like…

…A family reunion.  Everyone is related to everyone else.

…A Meer cat colony

…Family helping strangers in need.  Support from family and friends.

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…People paying forward the blessings they have received to others

…Peace, love, togetherness

…Children creating and coloring with vibrant and beautiful colors.  Not always staying within the lines, resulting in creations beautiful in their uniqueness. 

…A big hug from family and friends

…A climb to the top of a mountain.  To get there you must trust your guide, keep track and look after everyone.  Be willing to endure hardship and challenges, and keep your eyes focused on reaching the summit

 

These statements were written on slips of paper, that were joined together to form a paper chain, with observations and understandings of the kingdom of God.  One member wrote…’The chain links us together in common cause.  It binds us into meeting common needs and brings us into experiencing the kingdom of God.’

In conclusion, I leave you with this thought written by a member during our community’s worship experience: ‘As Above, so Below.  We can create Heaven on earth by matching our will with God’s will.  When we are awake and aware of the messages of God in all life, we move closer to creating Heaven on earth.’

What a blessing to be a part of a faith community that recognizes the Divine in the everyday interactions with each other, may you be blessed with ‘The Kingdom’ today.

-Roberta LaHue Brown

Co-pastor, Tuality Community of Christ

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Why Church? – Anonymous Responses

WHY CHURCH?

Anonymous Responses from March 16, 2014 Worship Service

1

  • Reorient personal perspectives
  • Closer relationships with other members
  • Gain scriptural knowledge in context of “community”
  • Experience God’s presence

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  • To keep one focused on God & blessings
  • To give one hope
  • To relate with people there
  • To feel wanted and loved (acceptance)
  • To broaden outlook on the world
  • To bring our cares and needs and share them
  • To help where we can at church and in our communities
  • To enjoy being with others
  • To remember what I think is my purpose for being here

 

3

  • Helps me get through the week
  • Look forward to see everyone and connect and share with them

 

4

  • Emotional and physical support for life’s issues

 

5

  • To be involved with people and learn about God and Jesus’ teachings.
  • We need to belong with people who believe like we do
  • I believe in what our community of Christ is teaching.

 

6

  • To learn of Christ and his teachings
  • To fellowship with other members
  • To serve in ways to help others
  • For my own spirit and happiness

 

7

  • It’s what I know
  • If I didn’t come to church, then I would not communicate with adults outside of work.  This is my family.

 

8

  • Because I believe in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church and want to support it.
  • Connecting with others in worship allows a sharing of ideas and a support network of love.
  • Hearing the morning message, singing hymns, attending Sunday school class, etc. provides spiritual inspiration and insight.
  • Attending church provides a corporate connection and avenues to provide service to the community.
  • Church lifts me up with a positive and happy message that carries me through the week.

 

9

 I believe in the savior Jesus Christ.  I trust that his message and mission are the truth.  I want to develop my spiritual understanding of His love.  I come to be uplifted by His message through His influence in the lives of others as expressed when we worship together.

 

10

Jesus came for sinners, to save them. I come to be saved.

I must believe in Jesus and the things that he did because I want to have my second life, in heaven.  I must believe that the Father raised Jesus from the dead as well.

 

11

Hmmm….Church or Shamrock Run in downtown Portland?  No question – church!  It’s a chance to be with my spiritual family, my tribe, my community, to recharge the spiritual battery that gets drained by dealing with issues in the real world and having to endure the insignificant stresses of those who lack awareness of a sense of beyond (where life is about more than what they think is important about work).

 

 

– Why Church? by Various participants during the March 16 worship

 

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No Church Services Sunday February 9th

Good evening TCC,

While reviewing the weather forecast and in trying to get the word out quicker rather than later, the pastorate has decided to cancel church this Sunday. There will be no services at TCC Sunday, February 9th. We will reschedule Teddy Bear Sunday for a later date.

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Love and light,
Emily

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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

______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

“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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______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

“Wonderous
Eventful
Adversity
Volatile
Enduring

Uncertain
Sacred” – Andrew

______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

“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

______________________________________________

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.