In my sermon on Sunday, I handed out paper and pens to the congregation and asked them to write down their answers to two questions. I've assembled the answers and they are not only interesting, but hopefully the beginning of a fruitful conversation.
First, how might our reading from Acts 2 about the early Church's joyful worship, fellowship, prayer and sharing inspire you to think differently about how you live out your own faith? Is there something that you could do differently to live out more fully our baptismal promises?
The Answers:Do good, pray, work, hope
Participate more in the activities and learning opportunities of the Church. Get here more often during the week.
I can first turn to members of the community to share who we are and work toward what we can be. Then – harder – reach outside the closer, easy-to-reach circle to talk about these things.
Need to stop my own concerns from being the center of my focus.
Be more aware of the goodness of my life.
Be more generous with my time and my treasures. Listen more.
To spend time daily trying to live the teachings that we hear each week in church.
Engage outside of church – decompartmentalize.
Be more generous to those in need.
Remember daily the reality of what God has already done for me.
I will stop worrying about things that are out of my hands. I will give my worries up to God.
God before all others.
Smile at strangers more easily.
Don’t compartmentalize my faith to Sundays only.
Smile … for the journeys are winding roads with the same destination.
Good will (of other people) is earned by good will. Am I kind to all regardless of who/what they are?
I will be nicer to strangers and all people I pass by each day.
To be less selfish, to focus more on people, not myself. To be more grateful for everything given to me, to have a more joyful heart.
The spirit of God comes into us in every way we think, live and pray.
Life is better when one does something to help others.
Be kind.
Be patient and understanding.
Resolve to act more in peace with all.
Feed those who are without.
Forgive the perceived failings of those around me without acting as if I even noticed them in the first place.
Pray.
Contemplate.
Share more of what I have with those in need.
Live in peace.
Sharing meals with friends.
Reach out more to those in need that are not people with much in common.
Love one another. Help those who are in need; all are our brothers.
Reflection before action.
Being less selfish and more giving.
Be open for the unexpected. Listen deeply.
To make other people no do other stuff.
To be more sensitive to the needs of others. To enjoy the world around me.
Cultivate a generosity of spirit that resides within.
Be more involved with others.
I could be more generous with my time and $ on behalf of others.
Listen to my heart and follow what God is calling me to do.
Trust in God to spend time on what is important – value the benefit of waking with a joyful heart. Make loving the focus of my day and joy the purpose.
Regarding the congregation of St. Aidan’s like family.
Be more thankful for God’s many blessings. Being still and listening to God.
Give and sell away surplus stuff. Fill my home with joy – a glad and generous heart.
Find a mate who is a believer.
Focus less on possessions and clothes.
Say “thank you” for all gifts given to me.
Continue Bible study classes followed by discussion of how to live life as a Christian.
Give some of my tax money to the church & help with Godly Play here.
Forgive as I am forgiven. Learn empathy and not just sympathy.
Sharing more joy and gladness and generosity each day.
And second, how might St. Aidan's better live out this picture from Acts? How can this community better support you in your Christian journey?
The Answers:
Worship, pray, give help, hope, money, time.
Continue to provide occasions for fellowship and learning.
So much that’s new is happening. I think we’re on the way to good things. If the church can continue to hear all voices and strive to open different kinds of doors to meet needs, that will keep us headed in the right direction.
Fewer interactive sermons. :-)
Continue to provide outreach activities to the community at large.
Provide opportunities for community outreach and support.
Continue to make accessible for all levels of faith and ages.
Continue to provide opportunities to help others and facilitate mobilization of the community.
Small group communities meeting regularly to build and support spiritual growth.
Spread the Word to all.
Hold at St. Aidan’s monthly community get-togethers bringing gifts.
Goodwill is often more easily achieved in a Christian community than in the secular world without; working with other community members, we can practice/discover how to love all.
To provide service opportunities. To inspire a joyful heart, a grateful attitude through services, through offering a community.
The fellowship from being in worship reminds us that God is present. His love comes through in the worship and community.
Coming to church each Sunday inspires me to do good works all week if I can. Today, I’ll help with the Crop Walk.
Continue to welcome all.
Continue and improvide “sharing gatherings” of all types – worship, fellowship, outreach.
Serving to make this place a good and safe home to all.
St. Aidan’s could sponsor children whose families can’t afford good pre-school experiences by giving scholarships and providing transportation.
Encourage stillness.
Provide more ways for us to give and serve others.
Increase the monthly dinner groups. Lunch meetings in DC during the week?
Share more the love of God with those outside the common community.
Reach out more into the surrounding community; more events/dinners for everyone.
Let people know that you don’t have to sing as much.
To preach the Gospel.
St. Aidan’s is already doing that.
St. Aidan’s might reaffirm and extend its generosity to the wider community of which we are a part.
St. Aidan’s can help by continuing to provide outreach programs.
St. Aidan’s can continue to make this an engaging place for children.
St. Aidan’s can better support its congregation by treating individual members like family – not letting them slip away, coming and going at will.
Offer a less traditional/more contemporary service on Sunday.
Have a yard sale where people can sell extra stuff and donate a % or buy a table to raise $ for st. Aidan’s and help people with extra stuff.
Emphasize communion. Call others to join us. Do more outreach.
We need to be more tolerant of other people.
Do more community things… like the 1.5 mile walk for the poor.
I think the church and clergy are not lacking – rather it is me.
Find ways to bring more seeking souls into our church.
Continue to comingle our talents & warmth with each other and the world. Do even more!
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people!
First, how might our reading from Acts 2 about the early Church's joyful worship, fellowship, prayer and sharing inspire you to think differently about how you live out your own faith? Is there something that you could do differently to live out more fully our baptismal promises?
The Answers:Do good, pray, work, hope
Participate more in the activities and learning opportunities of the Church. Get here more often during the week.
I can first turn to members of the community to share who we are and work toward what we can be. Then – harder – reach outside the closer, easy-to-reach circle to talk about these things.
Need to stop my own concerns from being the center of my focus.
Be more aware of the goodness of my life.
Be more generous with my time and my treasures. Listen more.
To spend time daily trying to live the teachings that we hear each week in church.
Engage outside of church – decompartmentalize.
Be more generous to those in need.
Remember daily the reality of what God has already done for me.
I will stop worrying about things that are out of my hands. I will give my worries up to God.
God before all others.
Smile at strangers more easily.
Don’t compartmentalize my faith to Sundays only.
Smile … for the journeys are winding roads with the same destination.
Good will (of other people) is earned by good will. Am I kind to all regardless of who/what they are?
I will be nicer to strangers and all people I pass by each day.
To be less selfish, to focus more on people, not myself. To be more grateful for everything given to me, to have a more joyful heart.
The spirit of God comes into us in every way we think, live and pray.
Life is better when one does something to help others.
Be kind.
Be patient and understanding.
Resolve to act more in peace with all.
Feed those who are without.
Forgive the perceived failings of those around me without acting as if I even noticed them in the first place.
Pray.
Contemplate.
Share more of what I have with those in need.
Live in peace.
Sharing meals with friends.
Reach out more to those in need that are not people with much in common.
Love one another. Help those who are in need; all are our brothers.
Reflection before action.
Being less selfish and more giving.
Be open for the unexpected. Listen deeply.
To make other people no do other stuff.
To be more sensitive to the needs of others. To enjoy the world around me.
Cultivate a generosity of spirit that resides within.
Be more involved with others.
I could be more generous with my time and $ on behalf of others.
Listen to my heart and follow what God is calling me to do.
Trust in God to spend time on what is important – value the benefit of waking with a joyful heart. Make loving the focus of my day and joy the purpose.
Regarding the congregation of St. Aidan’s like family.
Be more thankful for God’s many blessings. Being still and listening to God.
Give and sell away surplus stuff. Fill my home with joy – a glad and generous heart.
Find a mate who is a believer.
Focus less on possessions and clothes.
Say “thank you” for all gifts given to me.
Continue Bible study classes followed by discussion of how to live life as a Christian.
Give some of my tax money to the church & help with Godly Play here.
Forgive as I am forgiven. Learn empathy and not just sympathy.
Sharing more joy and gladness and generosity each day.
And second, how might St. Aidan's better live out this picture from Acts? How can this community better support you in your Christian journey?
The Answers:
Worship, pray, give help, hope, money, time.
Continue to provide occasions for fellowship and learning.
So much that’s new is happening. I think we’re on the way to good things. If the church can continue to hear all voices and strive to open different kinds of doors to meet needs, that will keep us headed in the right direction.
Fewer interactive sermons. :-)
Continue to provide outreach activities to the community at large.
Provide opportunities for community outreach and support.
Continue to make accessible for all levels of faith and ages.
Continue to provide opportunities to help others and facilitate mobilization of the community.
Small group communities meeting regularly to build and support spiritual growth.
Spread the Word to all.
Hold at St. Aidan’s monthly community get-togethers bringing gifts.
Goodwill is often more easily achieved in a Christian community than in the secular world without; working with other community members, we can practice/discover how to love all.
To provide service opportunities. To inspire a joyful heart, a grateful attitude through services, through offering a community.
The fellowship from being in worship reminds us that God is present. His love comes through in the worship and community.
Coming to church each Sunday inspires me to do good works all week if I can. Today, I’ll help with the Crop Walk.
Continue to welcome all.
Continue and improvide “sharing gatherings” of all types – worship, fellowship, outreach.
Serving to make this place a good and safe home to all.
St. Aidan’s could sponsor children whose families can’t afford good pre-school experiences by giving scholarships and providing transportation.
Encourage stillness.
Provide more ways for us to give and serve others.
Increase the monthly dinner groups. Lunch meetings in DC during the week?
Share more the love of God with those outside the common community.
Reach out more into the surrounding community; more events/dinners for everyone.
Let people know that you don’t have to sing as much.
To preach the Gospel.
St. Aidan’s is already doing that.
St. Aidan’s might reaffirm and extend its generosity to the wider community of which we are a part.
St. Aidan’s can help by continuing to provide outreach programs.
St. Aidan’s can continue to make this an engaging place for children.
St. Aidan’s can better support its congregation by treating individual members like family – not letting them slip away, coming and going at will.
Offer a less traditional/more contemporary service on Sunday.
Have a yard sale where people can sell extra stuff and donate a % or buy a table to raise $ for st. Aidan’s and help people with extra stuff.
Emphasize communion. Call others to join us. Do more outreach.
We need to be more tolerant of other people.
Do more community things… like the 1.5 mile walk for the poor.
I think the church and clergy are not lacking – rather it is me.
Find ways to bring more seeking souls into our church.
Continue to comingle our talents & warmth with each other and the world. Do even more!
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people!
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