Aloha
So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people
in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience
some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT)
Dear friend,
Why did it take me more than 27 years to dedicate a worship experience to
the theme of fun? I honestly don’t know the answer to that. I mean I enjoy fun.
I assume you enjoy fun. I was even fortunate enough to grow up in a church
which provided many opportunities for fun. Yet, as I look back on it, I
can’t remember ever hearing a worship service dedicated to fun and truth
be told it was a bit of a challenge finding scripture focused on fun.
Curiously, in my July 24 podcast, from just two days ago, I mentioned how I’ve
moved from having four passages of scripture read each week to having, on
most Sundays, only one. Well, even though the length of words spoken during
the time of scripture reading this coming Sunday morning will be about the same
as always, they come from seven different locations in the bible. They’re just
brief snippets, because, it appears, scripture writers didn’t feel we ought
to have too much focus on fun! Yet why not focus on fun!?
Fun experiences can bring us together, create positive memories and inspire
us to do important work together at some future time. Fun is important.
Well, anyway, better late than never. I do hope you can join us for worship this Sunday,
July 28 when our theme will be fun. We’ll be going on a brief Hawaiian vacation
together in a worship experience I’ve titled Aloha. If you can, please consider
wearing your favorite Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals. Thanks to an anonymous
donor, Hawaiian leis are going to be provided for everyone able to attend
in-person, also Hawaiian themed paper glasses for any children attending.
Let’s have some fun together.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Aloha,
Pastor John
in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience
some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT)
Dear friend,
Why did it take me more than 27 years to dedicate a worship experience to
the theme of fun? I honestly don’t know the answer to that. I mean I enjoy fun.
I assume you enjoy fun. I was even fortunate enough to grow up in a church
which provided many opportunities for fun. Yet, as I look back on it, I
can’t remember ever hearing a worship service dedicated to fun and truth
be told it was a bit of a challenge finding scripture focused on fun.
Curiously, in my July 24 podcast, from just two days ago, I mentioned how I’ve
moved from having four passages of scripture read each week to having, on
most Sundays, only one. Well, even though the length of words spoken during
the time of scripture reading this coming Sunday morning will be about the same
as always, they come from seven different locations in the bible. They’re just
brief snippets, because, it appears, scripture writers didn’t feel we ought
to have too much focus on fun! Yet why not focus on fun!?
Fun experiences can bring us together, create positive memories and inspire
us to do important work together at some future time. Fun is important.
Well, anyway, better late than never. I do hope you can join us for worship this Sunday,
July 28 when our theme will be fun. We’ll be going on a brief Hawaiian vacation
together in a worship experience I’ve titled Aloha. If you can, please consider
wearing your favorite Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals. Thanks to an anonymous
donor, Hawaiian leis are going to be provided for everyone able to attend
in-person, also Hawaiian themed paper glasses for any children attending.
Let’s have some fun together.
I’ll see you Sunday.
Aloha,
Pastor John
Would you pray with me?
God,
fill us with the spirit of Aloha.
In our hellos and in our goodbyes,
as we greet our friends and neighbors,
as we encounter creatures on land, sea and sky
as we observe growing vegetation and food
as we interact with elements of land, water and air
may we greet all this life with love.
Forgive us whenever we neglect to respect
all this life.
Forgive us whenever we neglect to be our best
by finding time for rest.
Help us remember rest and fun lead to joy
and joy leads us to love
and love leads us home to ourselves and one another.
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
fill us with the spirit of Aloha,
so we may live in love,
with peace and compassion,
seeking a deeper understanding of one another and the earth,
living in harmony,
with mercy, sympathy, grace and kindness.
For the blessings of Aloha,
For the rest of Aloha,
For the hope of Aloha,
Even for the fun of Aloha,
we thank you.
We thank you.
Amen.
____________________________________________
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