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Service, continued |
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Location: Blogs Brad's Blog |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 2/10/2010 1:40 PM | Greetings on this blustery day – it may be cold, but it could be worse: we could be in Washington D.C.!
This past Sunday’s “Praise on Peachtree” struck a chord with me and with many other people who have commented to me and to the participants of the service. As one person said, “When you hear that the theme is going to be “service” you sort of cringe and say, “I know, I know, I don’t do enough.” But that wasn’t how I left at all. I left uplifted, refreshed and so thankful for how so many have served me over the years.” To hear the witness of members and friends of our congregation who have been served and are inspired to serve was humbling and powerful. And add to that the beautiful words and sounds of the special music, “Here I Am, Lord” – which was sung at my ordination – well, let’s just say I wasn’t the only one in the place who had to compose themselves just a bit before moving on!
There was one particular, very brief, very subtle moment in the service that has me wishing we could have stopped the service and discussed it. As I was welcoming people and making announcements, a member of our congregation, Terry Evans, came into the fellowship hall, dressed in several layers of clothing, obscured to the point of being unrecognizable. The way he moved, the scrawled sign he carried, the clothes he wore bore all the marks of a homeless person we would meet on the street. We didn’t draw attention to it, but I wonder how it affected the people there? What was your first reaction to seeing this homeless man quietly making his way to the front row? Was there a little bit of fear? Did you contemplate checking to see if he needed assistance? Were you surprised? After talking with some of you I know that all those thoughts and more crossed peoples minds. As Terry made his way to the stage for the opening skit, it probably dawned on a lot of people that he was not in fact a street person. How did that make you feel? Relieved?
If it stopped you just a little bit, that is what the Praise on Peachtree team hoped for. As we seek our way along our faith journey, service is an important factor. And sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But when we step out in faith, we can find a way to put our discomfort aside and know that in our service to others, we truly become the Body of Christ, alive and active in the 21st century.
One of the very moving parts of the service was the testimony of members and friends of BCC as to what it feels like to be served. Due to time and technical constraints we did not share a note from John and Mary Lynn Ryland. Mary Lynn was BCC’s organist for several years and John was the Director of Libraries at Oglethorpe University. Until their retirements, they were both active at BCC, and it was during their time with us that Mary Lynn went through two different bouts with cancer. Even though it didn’t work out to have this in Sunday’s service, I would like to share John and Mary Lynn’s story with you now.
“In response to Brad’s request for “service stories”, Mary Lynn and I are sending you this short account of how we were served by the Brookhaven Christian Church. From my own perspective, I must tell you that there have only been two churches in my life that I have felt were true to the spirit of the New Testament: the Unitarian Universalist church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Brookhaven Christian Church. For Mary Lynn there was her the Episcopal church in Columbus, GA and Brookhaven Christian. BCC’s service to us increased considerably when Mary Lynn underwent her second battle with breast cancer. Beginning with Brad’s presence during the operation and his pastoral care of me during that difficult time, BCC was always there to help us. Margie was there in the hospital during the evening so that I could go home for a shower and meal. Brad and Jennifer were always encouraging and Judy’s cheerful smile and support always made the days easier.
A major help was for Mary Lynn to be allowed to teach her piano classes and have recitals in the church. This meant that it was not necessary to be always cleaning our own house. Harold would take Mary Lynn’s place at choir rehearsals and services when Mary Lynn was too sick to be there. There always seemed to be meals in the refrigerator or freezer for us, making our daily life better.
What was most important for us was the flow of the spirit of the members of the congregation from them to us. We could feel the strength of the spirit and its effects in many ways. Terry’s band made “What a Wonderful Life” the theme song for our struggle with cancer. The Shoreys helped us in so many ways and will never be forgotten. The choir was continually trying to help Mary Lynn even to the point of trying to subtly indicate that her wig was traveling. Do the choir members remember the traveling wig?
All of you made an enormous difference in sharing the responsibility for our mental, spiritual and emotional health. Your prayers, good humor and sage advice were always helpful and appreciated.
In summary, both of us want you all to know how important service can be and how it can make such a difference in the lives of those who are served. I hope it made a difference in your lives as well.”
Mary Lynn and John Ryland
For an updated prayer list and schedule of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Turley Higgins is home and doing well following heart valve repair surgery on February 3! He must stay quiet at home for at least a week and then it will be determined at what pace he can add more activities back into his daily life. Please keep Mary Patton in your prayers as she serves as Turley’s caregiver during this time of recovery and healing.
I just spoke with Jennifer and everything is going pretty well and she thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Matthew has been having some slight jaundice issues but the plan is that they will all go home this evening or tomorrow. Sarah seems to be liking being the big sister and wants to help with everything. Keep the whole family in your prayers as they celebrate this new addition.
Carol and I request traveling mercies as we head to Savannah this weekend for a “Building Better Marriages” state conference where we will be conducting a workshop on Saturday.
Upcoming events
Have you ever wondered: how are we to remain hopeful in a world that seems to be hopelessly broken? How do we trust a God who seems conspicuously absent? How do we find peace in a world out of control? Well if you have, you are joined by many – including many whose stories we find in the Bible! If you have questions like these, come to a three week Andy Stanley video/discussion series that seeks to show us that “He’s Still Got the Whole World In His Hands” The series will be presented in the Video Room downstairs beginning this Sunday, February 14th and continuing February 21st and February 28th during the Sunday school hour. The class will start promptly at 9:40 a.m.
Doris Guzman’s daughter has a request: Do you have any aluminum foil or plastic wrap boxes? You know the ones – they hold a rolled tube of aluminum foil or plastic wrap and have little cutting teeth on the upper lid? Well, if you do, could you bring them by the church where she could pick them up for use in a project she has going? Thanks!
FROM THE ASHES: Grief and Hope for Haiti…A Very Special Ash Wednesday Service: February 17, 7 pm at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church
On January 12, a powerful earthquake hit approximately ten miles from the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. An earthquake of this magnitude would be devastating to any city, but in one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere its effects are catastrophic. Millions of people have been affected by the disaster and hundreds of thousands are feared dead. With many of the established sources of safety and security demolished - churches, schools, hospitals, and government buildings - survivors are searching for signs of hope and help.
The international response has been strong; however, Haiti's needs are great and will remain for the long haul. How should - ought - the church respond in this critical moment?
On Wednesday, February 17, Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church will host a joint service along with Brookhaven Christian Church. In our worship, in our prayer, in our music, in our silence, we will not only hold the Haitian people in prayer. We will open ourselves to the possibility that we might actually be a glimmer of hope and help.
We will be collecting funds to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Week of Compassion immediate and long-term response.
If you can't come, you can still... Act…Pray…Give…Ache…Hope.
Don’t forget the Official Board meeting immediately following worship on Sunday February 28th…more details to come, but Deacons/Elders/Ministry Chair/officers – get it on your calendar.
I hope you can make it to worship this Sunday as we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert, Director of Women’s Ministries for the Georgia Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Her scripture texts will be Isaiah 43:16-21 and 2 Corinthians 5: 16-20 and her sermon is titled “A New Thing…SEE IT!” You will surely be blessed by her message! Have a great rest of the week.
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