Page 3 - KOG Glory & Grace, Issue 7, September 2022

We invite you to experience PRACTICES
PRACTICES O F J O Y & P E A C E
FROM THE REVS
Our son’s middle school principal reminded the crowd gathered for orientation that this was the first “normal” start of a school year since 2019. Mandatory masking is no longer required. Students can congregate in communal spaces. Gatherings can once again be silly, and traditions can resume. Highlights, the principal said, of the typical middle school experience.
We wonder, what has your experience been, not of middle school, but of church? This question is less about a church building or a worship service or even your encounters with hospitable believers. What we're curious about is this: Why choose church? As calendars are filling up and fall schedules are beginning, we know the opportunities available to you far exceed the time you have. When so many things are good and worthwhile and even beneficial, we think it's fair and even faithful to ask, "what experiences might I have as part of God's church?"
Sure, we could list off service opportunities, Bible studies, youth groups, and more (see all those details later in this issue), but those "things" are not actually what we hope you experience. Instead, we hope you will experience practices that anticipate the presence of the Holy and create space for reflection for all people across difference. We want to you experience practices that invite questions, cultivate meaningful community, and embody God's love.
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When we pray, we ask that as a part of God's church, the body of Christ, you might get to experience practices for loving the world, showing up with compassion, and expanding hearts and minds (yours and others) beyond what you thought was possible. So whenever we are the Church, all who gather are invited to practice. To practice being followers of Jesus together.
This edition of is filled with opportunities for all generations to worship, grow, and serve through the practices of faith. Just like when practicing a sport, opening your locker, or building an exercise habit, it all takes practice. We won't (maybe ever) do it perfectly. But when we engage in, for example, the Christian practices of joy and peace, we meet others who are trying it out as well and we might just remember why we're here. Why we've chosen to gather, sing, pray, study, give, and invest in vital relationships. We do this because God has first loved us. We keep on practicing because God longs for each person to experience everlasting love and calls us to live in that love as we imitate Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2). As we begin a new season, look for the practices of sanctuary, song, connection, curiosity, service, and empathy happening among us! And let us all be led back in peace.
Pastor Jen
Pastor Ben