Standing on our previous discussion "What Does it Mean to be a Presbyterian?" we now turn to exciting new ways that we are joining in community and worship. Each Sunday morning at 10:00, we'll be learning about new ways that today's Presbyterian church has innovated, created and re-created, practiced being the church in a secular world, and expanding traditional modes of worship to include all God's people. We'll be led in discussion by Rev. Merri Alexander. Please join us! All are welcome.
Time to check your emails, or click on the link below for our new monthly newsletter, "I Lift Mine Eyes..." That title will be familiar to any reader of the Psalms, for it is the start of the beloved Psalm 121: I l lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
The idea behind the title is to evoke the beautiful mountains in which our town and our church building is nestled, somewhat closely, against. But it's also an invitation to recall the remainder of that verse, which reminds us that our help comes not from tangible things we can see and touch, not from politicians or financial securities, not from nations or states, but from the mysterious, all-loving, all powerful creator of all that is and ever has been, all that ever will be, seen and unseen. We make our plans and schedules---indeed, you'll find many of them carefully noted in this newsletter!---but ultimately we are here to serve our Lord and our neighbors in ways both large and small, and to love one another as we are loved.
"Blue Ridge Splendor" - painting by Pat Gower, currently on display at Zuma's coffeeshop
Download your newsletter here: July Newsletter
On Sunday June 2, we kicked off the "Sandwich Sessions," a series of church-wide conversations we're having regarding who Marshall Presbyterian has been, who we are currently, and who we envision becoming in the future. We're engaging in these discussions as a vital part of the process of discerning who might be our next pastor. You can see from the photos that it's not all hard work!
This is the first of what we hope will be a monthly newsletter from Marshall Presbyterian. Let us know what you think!
Questions are a valuable part of our faith journey as we seek to understand more clearly who we are as Christians. Ours is a “faith seeking understanding” as the classic definition of theology suggests. The nature of our faith to impels us to search for answers to our questions. We are people who seek to grow in our knowledge of who God is, what God has done in Jesus Christ and what it means to be Christian in the 21st century.
Since the retirement of Rev. Melissa, we at Marshall Presbyterian have been enjoying hearing from a range of excellent ministers. Honestly, it's been invigorating to receive the Good News of the Gospel in so many different "dialects," since every minister has their own voice, their own preaching styles. We're now ready to enter the next phase of our church life together.
We're delighted to announce that Rev. Merri Alexander has accepted the charge to shepherd us through the process of searching for a permanent pastor. She'll be leading us in worship on Palm Sunday, and again on Easter Sunday, before formally starting on April 1. Please join us in welcoming her to our congregation, and our Madison County community!
One of the first things she told us is that God has already chosen our next pastor. We can't help but think that Holy Spirit has led us to find Merri as our interim pastor as well.
"I’m convinced without a doubt that God has already chosen your next pastor. The trip you’re on is to journey towards that person. That person has no idea yet that they’ve been chosen to be your minister."
Please join us for our Easter Service on Sunday, March 31 at 11:00. We'll be led in worship by Rev. Merri Alexander, and special music will be provided by siblings (who also happen to be award-winning musicians) Bayla, Sylvie, and Judah Davis who perform together under the name Newfound Gap. Some of you might remember them from the Christmas Concert Fundraiser for Neighbors in Need, where they brought the house down! Others may have heard them play at venues including Merlefest, The Earl Scruggs Festival, Folkmoot, Woodsongs, The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, and many more.
Taizé
is a simple, meditative form of worship that prompts us to dwell deeply on
Christ’s presence—around and within us.
It’s based on an ecumenical style of worship developed in the 1940s by
the Taizé community, located in eastern France, in Burgundy, among rolling hills
covered with vineyards. This service is
comprised of sung prayers, music, silence, and prayers.
