This weekend, celebrating
Independence Day, I was thankful for the many blessings of being an American.
But I was also reminded of the blessings of being a Californian.
I was talking to a coworker, Steven,
who's from the East Coast. He asked where we'd be going to church this week,
and I said the month was dedicated to worshiping outside. He said, "Huh, you
could never do that back east. You could never count on the weather."
Which is true.
Calvary Chapel in Healdsburg
annually schedules a number of Sundays (this year it's the month of July and
the first Sunday of August) for outdoor services on the lawns at Rio Lindo
Adventist Academy.
The setting of the school is, to
understate, gorgeous; in the hills above Healdsburg, it overlooks vineyards,
trees and the Russian River. Throughout the rest of the year, Calvary Chapel meets
in the school chapel (Rio Lindo, being a Seventh Day Adventist school, uses the
chapel for worship on Saturdays, so it's available on Sundays).
People are encouraged to bring lawn
chairs for the outdoor service, but there are extra chairs leaning against
trees for the chairless. The large trees doubled in the program, providing
shade as well as working as chair stands. People's chairs were spread out,
families and friends in some clumps and some individuals off in a choice patch
of sunlight. People were encouraged to move even during the service if they
became too cool and wanted sun -- or the reverse of that.
The service started about ten minutes
after the official starting time, and people continued strolling in after that.
Two song leaders (one with guitar) led a half hour of praise choruses with the aid
of an outdoor sound system and lyrics printed in the bulletin.
There was a prayer of thanks for the
nation, particularly for our liberty to worship. We were encouraged to struggle:
as the founders struggled for independence, so we should fight for dependence
on God. (There were flag decorations on the tables for the holiday.) During a
time of open prayer, two people started to pray at the same time, and it took a
few moments until they realized someone else was praying. The wonderful thing
was that they were praying for the same thing.
Prior to the dismissal of children
to Sunday School, one of the worship leaders took a panoramic photo of the
congregation. There was an announcement for upcoming "Beach Chair Sundays:"
7/12 with Mexican food and piñatas (potluck), 7/12 with a pool party (also at
Rio Lindo) and sandwiches (potluck), 7/26 with a Western theme and sloppy joes
(potluck) and the final week, 8/2, with tri-tip and a bounce house.
In another announcement, Pastor
Chris Blaustone encouraged people to set their phone alarms for 3:20 after he read
Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." He
asked people to pray for the church at that time for the next month.
(Completely irrelevant aside, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors asked
for "3:20" to be put on his shoe line in honor of that same verse.)
The sermon was a continuation of a sermon
series in Genesis, speaking on chapter 33, Jacob's reunion with his estranged
brother Esau. Chris used the passage as a chance to speak on the importance of
conflict resolution. He pointed out that it is not fun, and it's something we
often prefer to avoid, but it's something Christ has called us to do.
Toward the end of the sermon, Chris
said that he would have to be wrapping things up as the smell of hamburgers and
hot dogs cooking would ruin everyone's power of concentration, then he closed
with an illustration about Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, who went to Ecuador to
reach the Auca (now known as Huaorani) people. Jim, along with four other
missionaries, was ambushed and killed by the people shortly after making
contact. Elisabeth sought to finish her husband's work and lived among her
husband's killers, showing Christ's love. Such an illustration of forgiveness
makes most of our excuses for not forgiving seem more than a little petty.
Over burgers (veggie burgers were
available), hot dogs, chips, salad and dessert, Mindy and I had a chance to
talk with Pastor Chris and his wife, Mary. (Full journalistic disclosure here: we've
been friends for years and are already convinced the Blaustones are genuine,
compassionate and cool.)
I asked Chris why they've made Beach
Chair Sundays an annual event. Among many reasons, he said that though their
church is usually casual, the extra level of casualness the outdoors provides
makes it more inviting to many. Many first time visitors have come on these
weeks.
He also said there is something good
about being somewhere things are out of control. Though they have had generally
good weather, it has at times been a little damp or too warm or a little cool,
and it's a reminder that God is in control. They've even had to deal with bees.
That morning, the breeze provided
one of the worship leaders a chance to refer to John 3:8, "The wind blows
wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes
from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Chris mentioned that on a trip to the Holy Land, he was reminded that Jesus'
teaching was usually given outdoors and His parables and illustrations probably
came from the sights that were there for all to see.
As I mentioned, there are many
places where worshiping outdoors is not an option. I'm thankful this Sunday,
this month, to be in a place where it is.
Statistics:
Service Length: 1 hour 29 minutes
Sermon Length: 46 minutes
Visitor Treatment: we were
greeted by several people (and offered food and chairs), and there was a
greeting time during the service, but no organized recognition of visitors
Our Rough Count: 72 including children (who left before the
sermon to go to Sunday School)
Probable Ushers' Count: 80
Snacks: donuts, lemonade,
coffee, tea and hot chocolate before worship, hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie
burgers, chips, several salads, fruit and a lot of cookies for lunch. Also,
water bottles were available in a cooler, and somebody made giant popcorn balls
with red white and blue sprinkles.
Musicians: Man on acoustic
guitar, woman leading singing
Songs: "You'll
Come"
"Oh,
Our Lord"
"Jesus
at the Center"
"I
am Yours"
"Adoration"
"I
Love You, Lord"
Miles to place: 12
Total California Miles: 9781
-- Dean
No comments:
Post a Comment