Christmas Church Service

Attended Christmas eve church services this year at The Covenant Church in Cheboygan, MI.

The Covenant Church
3424 E. US Hwy. 23 Cheboygan, MI 49721
(231) 627-9889

A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols

Songs and carols included O Come, All Ye Faithful; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; Emmanuel; Joy to the World; Heaven's Child; O Little Town of Bethlehem; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; One Child; O Holy Night; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Angels We Have Heard On High; and Silent Night.

Country Thunder

After church this morning, I went to the Country Thunder event in Florence. I never knew country music could be so much fun.

Easter Sunday

Dad and I went to Easter Sunday services this morning at with a co-worker of mine who had generously invited me to join in his Easter plans.

The sermon was about secrets and shame, the damage they cause, and overcoming them.

After church Dad and I went to Taqueria Mi Casita for lunch, then tied up loose ends here at home before Dad had to fly home.

Service

Today's homily was about serice, how to be of service to others, the meaning in service, and the healthful perspective service can bring. Karma isn't the word for it, but there's nonetheless something to it.

I met up with Katie's family for pre-church coffee. Speaking of perspective, having your Sunday best clothes thoroughly licked by dogs puts it perspective. Demonstrating respect for the experience by dressing up seems like the right way to go about it. But it's not about the clothes.

Deposited my newspapers for recycling at church. I wonder what kind of return they get on the recycled newspaper. Not sure. But gives me a place to put it, and the collection policy there is broader -- includes random other paper, juunk mail, magazines -- than it is at the neighborhood collection point. I'm still just a wee bit irked that the apartment complex doesn't itself collect recyclables, especially since there's apparently a market for at least newspaper recycling. Add that high on the list of things to look for in my next apartment.

Dragging the laptop to a cafe to do some work.

Stewardship Sunday

There's a lot of stewardship in life. There's the saw about how we do not inherit from our parents, we borrow from our children. Most work is stewardship -- my time and resources at work are those of my employer, and I apply them as a steward of the company's resources and efforts.

Treating people with dignity

Today's homily was the basic message I go to church to hear: treat people with dignity.

Transfiguration Sunday

I'd have to admit I didn't get much out of the homily today. It was fairly deep about the transfiguration and all I grasped was the punchline -- something about needing to listen to God rather than merely look for or at God.

But I figured something else out at mass this morning that's probably more immediately and personally important, anyway. I set my alarm last night planning on going Church-hopping again today looking for a church, and I ended up just going to Holy Spirit. I think I've found a church and now I need to figure out how to really be a part of it.

Doesn't mean I won't still check out some other churches every once in a while. It's kind of fun to see some different approaches and perspectives. And there seem to be very many of them around here to be visited.

Loaves and fishes

Today's sermon was about the loaves and the fishes, about being fed and feeding others. I guess I'm in a pretty selfish stage right now, mostly receiving, seeking nourishment in the form of getting established in my new job, new place to live, a new church of a faith of which I'm not even really formally a member, trying to keep and make friends, figure out how to live here in Chandler. I try to think of ways that I've spiritually fed anyone else lately, and I'm not thinking of many. Which I guess is the point of a sermon (should I call them "homilies"?) to remind to reach beyond.

Shepherd me oh Lord,
beyond my wants, beyond my needs,
from death into life.

On Being an Apostle

This morning's sermon reminded of the obligation to act as an apostle in the world. It reminded me a bit of the subway "See something? Say something." campaign.