5th Sundays : Worship through Action
Yesterday was our second 5th Sunday of 2012. At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship where I pastor, yesterday we gathered for worship outside. More time and energy went into our Sunday gathering than normal. We certainly spent more money as we threw a Neighborhood Cook-Out which featured: free food, live music from local singer/songwriters, two jump houses and crafts for kids.
This 5th Sunday was an amazing day filled with good
times and great music. We spent hours sharing life with neighbors and friends,
many of whom we hadn’t previously met. The giggles from children bouncing and
running brought smiles to everyone’s face. We couldn’t have asked for a better
day in the Beach Cities.
What does
5th Sunday mean?
On the months with five Sundays rather than meet in the Church Sanctuary we meet outside to Worship through Action.
On the months with five Sundays rather than meet in the Church Sanctuary we meet outside to Worship through Action.
At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship when we look at the life
Jesus lead and how he
instructed his followers, we see a call to care for others and not be hung up
on ourselves. When looking at our own lives, we understand that with Jesus we
can find great joy in coming alongside others and serving together. That is why
we make space in our lives to be involved in serving the needs around us.
5th
Sundays can consist of: picking up trash around the neighborhood, making
sandwiches for a local homeless shelter or helping a neighbor with their yard,
cleaning up around the pier, or helping out at a retirement community. With
endless possibilities, 5th Sundays are a great way to connect with others and
celebrate God, who cares about his people and his creation!
Worship
through Action.
Often we worship the living God in the same way week after week, day after day. In our self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-gratifying culture it truly is counter cultural to intentionally set time out for others. Even within the Church, it can seem odd for us to not practice our “normal” worship for the purpose of loving others as God has loved us.
Often we worship the living God in the same way week after week, day after day. In our self-absorbed, self-seeking, self-gratifying culture it truly is counter cultural to intentionally set time out for others. Even within the Church, it can seem odd for us to not practice our “normal” worship for the purpose of loving others as God has loved us.
This is what it means for us at Beach Cities to Worship through
Action on the 5th Sundays. We are saying to one another, our guests, and our neighbors – that outward service and worship is vital to who we are. We are saying to our culture – we worship a
living God who is involved in our lives and theirs. We are the hands and feet
of Christ in the Twenty-first Century.
How are we as the body of Christ reaching out and loving the poor, the broken, the homeless, and the disenfranchised?
How are we as the body of Christ reaching out and loving the poor, the broken, the homeless, and the disenfranchised?
At Beach Cities Christian Fellowship we are intentionally creating space where we Worship through Action – as we step outside the walls of the Sanctuary
and bring Glory to God through our active faith.