Tags
adventure, belonging, casual, church, communion, God, Jesus, mass, meaning, passion, purpose, routine, scripture, Sunday, table, worship
Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1137823373087599/
This Sunday, our church is trying something new called “Flip-Flop Mass.” The concept began with the idea that we wanted to move our “Mass on the Grass” indoors because, let’s face it, even in early June, Virginia is hot and humid. We also had some rearranging with musical leadership, and we wanted to keep the casual vibe of our outdoor service. But as we shifted to the idea of an indoor casual mass, the ideas started flowing. What if we totally rearranged the space? What if we played with the liturgy and how we interact with Scripture? What if we not only went casual, but we also went ancient?
What has resulted, after a ton of logistical plans, gathering different supplies, and coordinating with servers, is a worship service like that of the earliest church – an intimate meal around the table reminiscent of the meal between Jesus and his disciples. I suspect the service will have its fumbles and things we did not anticipate, but I am also hopeful that the service will shift our routine just enough that we thoughtfully reflect on what it is we do on Sundays and what it all means.
Whatever style of church you prefer (and believe me, Hickory Neck manages to artfully offer lots of different styles), I encourage you to join us this Sunday for the adventure. I suspect whatever you are used to or you prefer, this Sunday will give you the opportunity to engage just differently enough that you experience the elements of worship more powerfully: the gathering of a community of strangers and friends, seeking a sense of belonging and meaning; a space to wrestle with Scripture, especially when Scripture is sometimes difficult to relate to modern-day life; a fresh way to experience God’s presence, using all of your senses; a place where you can find a renewed sense of purpose and passion for serving the world. I don’t know about you, but I am thrilled to be invited to experience church with fresh eyes this weekend.
So, grab your flip-flops, grab a dish to share for lunch, grab a friend (or a stranger!), and come to church. We’ll save you a seat at the table!
