First Worship Time
This morning was the first opportunity that my family and I were able to worship at a local congregation, since last Sunday morning was spent in an airport in Cancun getting home. I hope to worship at many different congregations with an eye to what a first time visitor might experience when they arrive - because as I have read the Rebuilt book I understand that it is often some of the seemingly little things that make a person feel welcome to a congregation. We decided to go to our friends' the Jacobsen's church, Bethel International United Methodist Church. It is very close to our house on Bethel Road, just east of Godown. They go to the more contemporary 11:00 a.m. service, and their son was the liturgist, which in Lutheran vocabulary would be lector.
        The first thing I noticed was a very large and well-marked parking lot. There were signs telling people where to park for what events - the front lot for the 9:30 service and the back lot for the 11:00 service. As we got out of our car it struck me how difficult it would be for a person to step foot for the first time in a new church with no one they know. Even though I am a pastor and have been in many different churches, I myself felt a bit nervous about being in a new place. The Jacobsens honked as they pulled into the lot when we were walking into the doors so even though there were people about 10 yards inside the door as greeters, we stood just inside to wait for Roy, Estrella, Sean and Matt.
     They were very welcoming to us - introducing us first to their pastor who was there with a cup of coffee in his hand. He greeted us warmly and invited us to partake of the many goodies that were set out - donuts, bagels and cream cheese, coffee, etc. If I knew it was going to be like this I wouldn't have eaten breakfast first!! I had one donut hole and a cup of coffee and tried to blend in. I was envious of the large gathering area that they have for tables and chairs as people can sit and enjoy their coffee and snacks, a very well equipped nursery just off this gathering room which is close to the sanctuary. It was a very welcome space indeed!
        The worship itself was a bit different than we are used to, but we knew it would be going in. Not only is it a United Methodist church, but also this was their contemporary service. The song leaders did a great job, especially the pianist who seems to have some training in not only worship leadership but also in pastoral ministry. He shared some reflections on the recent tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina and a prayer. It was appropriate and flowed smoothly. The songs, though only one was familiar to me, were singable. There were two screens on the side front walls projecting words, the pastor as he preached, and a couple of other short film clips or picture. The pastor mentioned that one of the projects they are considering is a new screen to be hung above the worship leaders in the middle front of the area. I must admit, it was a little awkward to keep looking at the screens on the two sides and would have been better to have a screen in the middle. I don't go in for screens too much, but it would have made it better for me.
        The vast majority of the service was taken up by the pastor's message - at least 30 minutes focusing on a theme of being "taken" by God and what that means in life. His text was from Colossians 3, one of the passages read at our wedding. He did a good job connecting the text to his stories, but he used a lot of personal stories, especially from this past week. One other thing I am aware of - he often referred to things that he has said in previous weeks or that he often says. I read in different places that folks who are visiting are a bit turned off or made to feel like outsiders when the preacher does this. I think I was able, though, to enjoy the message while still having some of my inevitable personal critiques, which every preacher has when he or she worships at another church.
       One last comment - they were promoting a drama that their group of young people do called, "Chains". It will be performed at several congregations in the area. The pianist, who seems to be the director of the production, mentioned how it is an evangelism tool, and he hoped that young people would experience it and think that church isn't that boring, but is exciting and fun. But as I looked around and considered the lengthy message and the length of the service (70 minutes and no communion) I couldn't help but think that people excited over the drama who would come to their congregation as a result might think that they were victims of the old, "bait and switch." A solid worship experience and good message, but I wouldn't call it, "exciting"! Thank you Roy and Estrella for sharing your congregation with us. We did enjoy it.

Home again, safe and sound.
We are home again and getting into a routine following our week-long trip to Riviera Maya, south of Cancun in Mexico. Mostly the weather was very hot and humid, although the wind started blowing pretty good Wednesday through Friday, preventing us from snorkeling with sea turtles on our excursion Friday (we got to snorkle with some great fish in an inlet instead) and terrible weather on our last day, Saturday. It continued into Sunday and delayed our flight home by a couple of hours, but we made it! I think it is still pretty bad down there for a few more days. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

The resort, "Ocean Coral and Turquesa" was quite lovely.

We had regular visits from the local wildlife there.

Wednesday night was a foam party in the "Party Pool". If you look really close, you can see Lucy, Colin and Hannah in the middle of the picture.

The largest of the four pools where we spent many an hour of a couple of days!

It is a bad year for sea weed. Not many people were on the beach, and this kept driving up and down collecting it up to be either returned to the ocean's ecosystem or used for fertilizer on the fields.

Another view of the party pool with no foam this time. There was a "swim-up bar."

Another shot of an iguana.

Lucy relaxing in the large lobby/

Another view of the lobby,

On the day of our excursion, our guide had to stop along the road to show us this snake. Gee, thanks!

Preparing to climb up the first tower for the zip-lines. It was a lot of fun although a lot of steps. We also repelled (not so much fun for me - too much work!) and snorkelling in underwater caves and an inlet.

Not sure what these creatures are called, but we were told that they are related to squirrels. They were sure scavengers!

I think this one was the leader of the pack.

When you get $100 to spend in the gift shop for sitting through a time-share presentation, what do you get? Well, Colin gets a wrestling mask!

We got plenty of time to play some games as a family, eat together (which we don't get to do much anymore) laugh and relax together. We read lots of books and I had some quiet time to reflect and pray as I am trying to eliminate the "hurry" from my life. God's peace be with you all! Pastor Ralph

Today was a joyful day for me and my family. My family, friends from many circles of life, my congregation and other guests joined together to worship God and to celebrate with my the 25th anniversary of my ordination. It is actually this coming Wednesday, but we celebrated today. Pastor Bill Diehm shared the gospel in such a way that we were both encouraged and challenged to examine our own lives and discipleship as we ask the question together, "What is God doing here?"  Thank you Bill and Sue for your friendship and for being with us today.
Now we relax - tomorrow I begin sabbatical, which begins with a one-week family vacation to an all-inclusive resort called Ocean Coral and Turquesa in Mexico, just south of Cancun. Here is the website:  http://www.oceanturquesacoral.com/

We will be up bright and early to drive to Cleveland, catch a plane and get to our desitnation. Please keep my family and I in your prayers that we may find a time and place to relax and recharge during this first week of my sabbatical.