“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation” (Psalm 111.1).

Traveling and Worshipping

Pastor Durk’s June 10th sermon on reasons to keep attending worship throughout the summer, wherever we are, got me thinking about wonderful worship services I’ve attended while traveling.

There’s historic Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri, the oldest sanctuary still in use in that city. The richness of the sanctuary’s architecture was matched by the rich liturgical worship of the Episcopalian tradition. I remember the sermon given on a warm Sunday in July. The sermon was based on Matthew 11: 28-30, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me”. It gave me a lasting image of Jesus yoked to me, present with me in all things, encouraging and directing me, sharing the weight of responsibilities I carry. That image has comforted and strengthened me ever since.

Then there is the simple north woods beauty of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland, along Lake Superior. Seating is limited in the cozy chapel of all pine interior; no microphone or sound system is needed. The bell tower rings the start of worship, and a small organ in energetic fashion plays the Hymn of Praise “Listen, You Nations of the World.” It’s a worship setting perfect to praise God for the beauty of His creation.

I love worshipping at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Fort Meyers, when I visit my folks on spring breaks. Florida churches know how to welcome visitors! They do it with flourish; I feel honored and recognized each time I’m there. You have to arrive early to get a seat at Messiah Lutheran. And of all the congregations I have worshipped with, these people get the blue ribbon for singing joyfully, and singing with their whole hearts.
Worshipping in other settings, congregations and faith traditions brings me a wonderful sense of the wideness of God’s church, and the unity we all share as Christians.

Recalling these worship services got me wondering why I remember them so distinctly. Is it being in a different setting? Maybe being on vacation, leaving behind daily work and responsibilities creates room in us, to see and appreciate things. Whatever the reasons, the fact that these worship experiences were so meaningful tells me that God is able to use these times to refresh us and speak to us in new ways.

And if you are going to be out in the Boundary Waters, or at a remote lake in Canada fishing, I encourage you to plan your own worship. What a marvelous opportunity with family or friends to each share a part: choosing and reading scripture verses, reflecting as a group on those verses, reading devotion together, or sharing a story. Sing a familiar hymn and pray together. And especially, offer thanks to God for this time of rest and renewal.

This summer, I encourage you to bring a worship bulletin back to share with Pastor Durk or me, or tell us about a worship service you created when you went camping! Let’s all keep worshipping and praising God!

In Christ,

Pastor Chris