I was baptized as a baby and confirmed at age 12 into the Congregational Church body. I attended the Presybterian Church youth group through high school. I married a Baptist and joined the Baptist Church through adult baptism at age 19. In Pennyslvania there were no Southern Baptist affiliated churches in our area so we joined in worship with the Church of the Brethern. I like to say I've been on the roulette wheel of denominational church membership. I grew up with the liturgical calendar, commorating the Sacred Time of Lent and Holy Week with services and traditions on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter to Pentecost. I enjoy the symbolisim, the rememberance, the planned observance of my Christian faith.
In years past we added our own symbols of rememberance such as having bread and broth (a different homemade bread and soup) on each Sunday during lent, reading scripture around the table and expressing celebration in a personal way.Our busy lives can make observances outside of Easter Morning and Christmas Day easily obselete. The days come so quickly, many churches don't deliberately celebrate every one of the seasonal events and the sacred days often pass before we can organize our own demonstrations of celebration.
Let me encourage you to make an extra effort to discover the liturgical calendar, plan ahead and make a special family observance of one or more of the scheduled events. The blessings are ten-fold for your own spiritual journey, towards teaching your children the tenets of your faith, towards strengthening relationships and family unity. Enjoyable celebrations often become family tradition.
Your worship is an expression of your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship you want to honor and share. The liturgical calendar is a great resource for education and celebration.Take a moment and share your fond memories of faith celebrations and traditions.
Sally, at our Thanksgiving dinner, those in attendance will share what they are thankful for. It is a faith builder to hear the responses, especially from the younger set. Hopefully, it helps each person to realize the blessings that come with being grateful and not to take anything for granted. Easter Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeletePryor has Holy Week lunches at noon hour sponsored by Ministerial alliance. Different churches take a day and furnish food and the devotional. Good time! Our church is having "Journey To The Cross" at our church Wednesday thro Friday evenings 5:30 - 7:30. It is a walk through to remember the great sacrifice of our Lord. It is good to have these special rememberances for the forgiveness available to us through faith in our Lord and His finished work.
ReplyDeleteDid I know you loved in PA? So did I!
ReplyDeleteGreat food for thought, Sally. On Christmas Eve we remember our loved ones who have passed by having a special dish that was their favorite.
ReplyDeleteDonna V.
What a diverse background! It's always interesting to see where the Lord brings us from and what He brings us through...and then to reflect from where we are now. :)
ReplyDeleteWhere in PA did you live? I was born in Lancaster and still have family in the Manheim and surrounding area.
Have a great week,
Karen
Thanks for stopping by friends. We lived in PA from 95-97, first in Harrisburg then as houseparents at Milton Hershey school. PA is a BEAUTIFUL place.
ReplyDeleteI love PA! Thanks for answering my questions, Sally! That must have been interesting at the school. We were often in Hershey with my grandparents, inhaling the scent of chocolate...:)
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