Pentecost 9, Aug. 11, 2019 (full size gallery)
The bulletin is here
This was our first separate backpack service, a chance for a more informal service in the late afternoon before school begins the next day. We had one family with 4 eager children ready to go back to school. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with mild temperatures for Aug. 11
Everyone showed off their new backpacks with all the gear. The service was a shortened communion service with a reading from Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, Verses 4-8 and Luke Chapter 2, Verses 41-52, Jesus as a student
In an informal setting there were questions that could be answered. From Deuteronomy – “Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Catherine explained that orthodox Jews in Israel literally fashioned the image of God in an enclosure they could wear.
The Gospel brought amazement that Jesus would slip off from his parents. They saw some “talk back” in this passage – “Jesus answered his mother and said to his parents, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But then it says “Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them”. OK at the end.
We had an intimate communion discussing the elements behind the rail. Decisions had to be made whether to sip the wine or dip the bread. Part of the communion service such as the pall were considered- yes, keep the flies out. Finally after some recent acolyte training we had an excellent example of extinguishing the candle.
After the service there was a dinner of hot dogs, macaroni and salad. There was still time for tree climbing after dinner.