Outdoor Church Services
Today I am grateful for the simplicity of tasks like doing the laundry. I am also grateful for laughter, especially when it helps defuse a situation and remind us of our humanness.
Solemn but celebratory. All church services, in my experience, are typically some of both. Outdoor services take on a different tone all their own, however. Our church now has one summer outdoor service each year. It was yesterday. Other than one previous outdoor service for our church and a couple weddings, my exposure to outdoor services has been minimal.
Yesterday's service was at a farm; surrounded by corn, birds, fresh flowers, sitting in the shade of a tree. Not to mention the fresh air. Solemn but celebratory.
The setting and the service helped me slow down. There was a lot on my mind with work and family stuff. Some peace and calm returned as I listened, sang, participated. As our preacher mentioned, we were out in the most spectacular cathedral of all.
And then we enjoyed a potluck lunch together. A perfect ending to our time together.
They key for me was simply taking the time to slow down. Whether it be for a church service, to take a break from our work, to step away from a heated conversation, a pause goes a long way in helping keep us grounded. I am grateful for outdoor church services and pauses.
Solemn but celebratory. All church services, in my experience, are typically some of both. Outdoor services take on a different tone all their own, however. Our church now has one summer outdoor service each year. It was yesterday. Other than one previous outdoor service for our church and a couple weddings, my exposure to outdoor services has been minimal.
Yesterday's service was at a farm; surrounded by corn, birds, fresh flowers, sitting in the shade of a tree. Not to mention the fresh air. Solemn but celebratory.
The setting and the service helped me slow down. There was a lot on my mind with work and family stuff. Some peace and calm returned as I listened, sang, participated. As our preacher mentioned, we were out in the most spectacular cathedral of all.
And then we enjoyed a potluck lunch together. A perfect ending to our time together.
They key for me was simply taking the time to slow down. Whether it be for a church service, to take a break from our work, to step away from a heated conversation, a pause goes a long way in helping keep us grounded. I am grateful for outdoor church services and pauses.
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