And that really is a good portion of what church every Sunday is about: we pause and savor and give thanks to God. We serve the God whose abundant creation offers us the food we eat, that bright tinge of red in the maple leaves, and the loving fellowship of our fellow Christians, among others. We also study and learn and think during the service, but that studying is also always about pausing and savoring and giving thanks at the same time. Worship is a time of responding to God, and it’s also a time of formation: of reminding our minds and hearts of God’s values, of the love God has for us and for the world around us. It calibrates our inner clocks, so to speak, reminding us that it is God who sets the best tempo and the appropriate expectations for our lives.

Looking forward to seeing you in church, sharing in being the Body of Christ, together in both fellowship and worship—

Becky

Prayer

Holy and creating God,

We are so grateful for your abundance and your love.

We are grateful for the community you have given us,

For the structures and music of worship that turn our attention to you.

Help us to notice you working and moving

in the world and in our lives.

Help us to care for our fellow members in your body of Christ,

and help us to care for the equally loved persons outside of the body.

Shape us through worship and prayer

and in all the other wonderful ways you work in our lives

That we might be better witnesses to your love and your presence.

We are bold to pray these things, because we know we are your children.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.