Friday, December 10, 2010
An icon, in Greek, is "image" or religious painting in the tradition of Eastern Christianity. Images often include Mary and Jesus, Joseph, Saints, significant events and biblical stories. Over the years I have seen icons in museums. While I appreciated the art, I failed to appreciate the significance of the images in the deep faith of many Christians around the world.
Nine years ago I attended a Russian Orthodox worship service in Sarajevo, Boznia-Herzogovenia. Inside were a number of icons. A few years ago, at a Faith and Writing Conference, I attended a seminar on the meaning of these religious works of art and faith. My appreciation deepened. Even more recently I read a book by the Archbishop of Cantebury Rowan Williams titled Ponder These Things. He writes of several icons depicting of the Virgin and her Child.
One of the most striking to me was that of The Mother of God of Vladimir, a 12th century icon in a Russian cathedral. In some references it is called the Theotokos meaning "God-bearer" or "birth-giver of God." In it the Christ child "embraces Mary, cheek to cheek, his arm encircles her neck, one foot is thrust towards us as if he is pushing himself up against her body with great energy, and his right hand grasps the corner of her veil..." What is comforting is the Christ child's eagerness to draw close to Mary, to you and to me.
May the peace and joy of be yours as Christ draws near.
Friday, September 3, 2010
A big thank you to our Disciples / Presbyterian youth (pictured here at earlier lock-in) who offered leadership at our Youth Sunday worship. Those guiding us in worship were: Emily Elder, Elliott McClure, Chet McClure, Taylor May, Kristine Medler, Will Provin, Nick Retherford, Amy Ricks, David Ricks, and Erin Tabor.
Later this month on September 26th the youth of American Lutheran, First Christian, First Presbyterian and United Methodist are invited to share in a cookout and fellowship at the Taylor's home.
This is the beginning of a new fellowship for youth among the four congregations. Plans are being developed for one event each month to include outings for fellowship, worship and service.
Church school begins on September 12th with an Opening Assembly at 9:00 am. We will introduce our mission project, sing new songs, and introduce classes and teachers. Children and youth from First Presbyterian Church will join with us this year. Adults will study "Practicing Our Faith" edited by Dorothy Bass.
Another new ministry this Fall will be Welcome Table Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we will gather for a brief meal at 6:00 pm / worship at 6:30 pm / and activities at 7:00 pm. The activities change each week and may include - choir, Disciples Women's Fellowship, hand chimes, videos, discussions, and more.
In Outreach and Service we continue receiving items for school kits to be distributed through Church World Service. Items needed include: round-tipped metal scissors, 70-count spiral notebooks, 12 inch ruler, hand-held pencil sharpeners, large erasers, pencils with erasers, box of 24 crayons.
And one more thing... We will be sharing in a small group study and fellowship with area congregations in exploring "Unbinding the Gospel."
Come and see what God is doing with us.
Friday, April 16, 2010
This has been a wonderful season to gather the Busy Hands Pre-School children to the front entrance and invite them to tell what they see in the second of our two stained glass windows - "The Sower." Mark 4:1-20
They have taken notice of the bright colors. First, the waves of browns and greens representing the soil. They note that area fields feature similar lines as soil preparation and planting has begun. The bright blue sky and birds above. The sower, strides across the ground with the deep green bag of seed hanging at his side. Some see him as a farmer. Others are certain it is God or Jesus. Not one seed, but a handful are scattered across the ground. The sower is generous, even extravagant.
Unable to wait for harvest season, we step outside and take in what God has already made to grow - spring trees are full of purple and white blossoms; grass stretches out like a rich green carpet with a few yellow dandelions; tulips show themselves; and rosebushes wait to reveal their beauty. And there is so much more as we lift our eyes to the neighborhood.
God has already been generous, extravagant!
The children return to the classroom where they will imitate God in planting seeds, in showing generosity.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Two new stained glass images offer hospitality to those who enter the church building at the front entrance. They also serve as a reminder to the congregation as we leave worship and go out into the world to be the church. These works of art were possible because of the generosity of families and friends who remembered the congregation's ministry through the Memorial Fund.
Each of the images are a witness to a foundational belief of the congregation. On the west side of the entrance is an image of the loves and fish recalling the "feeding of the 5,000" found in each of the gospels. The basket of bread and brilliant blue fish are a testimony to "God's enough" among us. We remember that Jesus received the bread and fish, blessed them, broke them and shared them. There was enough for all - with some left over.
God has provided enough for our ministry here in Gibson City, across the surrounding area, throughout our nation and around the world.
The version of the "feeding of the 5,000" in Mark 6 is my favorite. I like the part in which Jesus turns to his disciples who have just questioned where they will find enough food for everyone. Jesus says, "Go and see." Go and see what God has done and is doing, has and is providing.
Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed one hundred people, then feed one."
Where have you experienced God's abundance at and through First Christian Church?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)