A Message from Pastor Alexa
On Sunday, we will welcome several new members, and celebrate a baptism. Yay! It is always a profound joy to name the inherent belovedness of one another, remember our own baptisms, and welcome folks into this particular expression of God's family. I hope you'll join us!
As part of that ceremony, we say the Apostles Creed together. We'll invite you to (re)affirm the historic faith of our tradition by reciting the creed; we'll invite you to join your voices with the voices of many generations that have come before us and the many generations who will join in after us. It is a beautiful tradition.
And creeds were argued over, a lot, by smart, faithful people.
They aren't 'inspired by God' in the same way that we affirm our scriptures to be. These are works of liturgy that the historic church continues to say together, in order to hold ourselves together by wide bounds.
One of my cornerstone Christian writers is Nadia Bolz-Weber. She shares a story about people in her Lutheran church community who have a hard time with saying the words of the creeds, struggle to participate in the liturgy of the church, because they can't quite believe every word of it. Nadia Bolz-Weber teaches us that the creed isn't mine, it's ours. There may be days that it is challenging or impossible to believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and yet, we say it together, trusting someone else in the room, in person or virtual, believes it today on our behalf.
Friends, we are not alone in carrying and living out our faith. We believe together, we have faith together. We recite the creeds as an act of audacious hope and perseverance, trusting together that even in our imperfect, human-inspired words, God will be there with us, leading us on toward glory. The bounds of the church are wide, and God's love is even wider. Let us rejoice!
As part of that ceremony, we say the Apostles Creed together. We'll invite you to (re)affirm the historic faith of our tradition by reciting the creed; we'll invite you to join your voices with the voices of many generations that have come before us and the many generations who will join in after us. It is a beautiful tradition.
And creeds were argued over, a lot, by smart, faithful people.
They aren't 'inspired by God' in the same way that we affirm our scriptures to be. These are works of liturgy that the historic church continues to say together, in order to hold ourselves together by wide bounds.
One of my cornerstone Christian writers is Nadia Bolz-Weber. She shares a story about people in her Lutheran church community who have a hard time with saying the words of the creeds, struggle to participate in the liturgy of the church, because they can't quite believe every word of it. Nadia Bolz-Weber teaches us that the creed isn't mine, it's ours. There may be days that it is challenging or impossible to believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and yet, we say it together, trusting someone else in the room, in person or virtual, believes it today on our behalf.
Friends, we are not alone in carrying and living out our faith. We believe together, we have faith together. We recite the creeds as an act of audacious hope and perseverance, trusting together that even in our imperfect, human-inspired words, God will be there with us, leading us on toward glory. The bounds of the church are wide, and God's love is even wider. Let us rejoice!
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2024
January
LAST Call for Directory UpdatesPutting Christmas Decorations AwayKnowing Our CallHelp Support One of Our FamiliesAnti-Racist Film Club UpdateA Message from Pastor AlexaMORE Winter Affinity NightsYouth Group Silent AuctionAn Exciting Staff AnnouncementThurston County Bus BuddiesFOWIA Valentine Card SaleUWIF Wants Your HelpAnti-Racist Film Club This MonthGreen Bag Sunday ReturnsWe Want to Hear From YOU
February
Lunch With the PastorValentines Day Party | Kids Night OutWant to See the Rainiers This Summer?LAST Chance to Get Your Valentines CardsGeneral Conference FAQsInterfaith Works Wants YOUR HelpAffinity Night Meal Sign-upsSchool Break Bags For KidsThe Parish Collective ConferenceShelton UMC Anti-Racism Accountability GroupUWIF Timely TopicsRadicle Methodism Bible StudyLet's Scarf Bomb the ChurchFaithful & Inclusive ClassMemorial for Rev. Paul BeemanHousewarming for ShawnnaUWIF Chocolate EggsCalling for CookiesThe UWIF Rummage SaleHow You Can Help Madison SchoolAnti-Racist Film Club - March EventsDo You Need a Washer or Dryer?Do You Like Bowling?
March
Dinner With the PastorUWIF Rummage Sale - This WeekendTumwater UMC Softball TeamSome Potentially Helpful Tax InformationLAST Week to Order Fudge EggsHealth Ministry TeamHow to Order Easter FlowersScarf Bombing on HiatusGreen Bag SundayThe FINAL Affinity Night in LentEaster EGG-stravaganzaHoly Week Worship ScheduleEarth Day CelebrationFUMCO Gleaners
April
May
RSVP for a UWIF Celebration5 Steps to Avoid Internet ScamsUWIF Scholarship RecipientGeneral Conference Video ReflectionWiggle Worship SnacksPentecost Sunday Allergy AlertFamily Ministries Update from Miss BrittneyA Song Team Update from Pastor AlexaNeighboring Opportunity This SummerRainiers Baseball Game TicketsLet's Spread Some BarkWant to Join SPRC?Exciting News From MadisonSpiritual Gifts AssessmentInterfaith Works Summer CampGreen Bag SundaySummer Kickoff BBQWhat's Up With General Conference...Summer Break Fast Club Needs VolunteersAnti-Racist Film ClubJoin Us in Pilgrimage
June
Interfaith Works Needs InterviewersRainiers Ticket Deadline ApproachingFill Out Our Discipleship SurveyInterested in Lay Ministry?Help Build Refugee Welcome KitsCaregiver's Support GroupFirst Olympia at PrideActivities After Worship This SundayWe Need Pride VolunteersGet Ready for "Noisy" OfferingInterfaith Works Summer CampJoin Our FUMCO GleanersPastor Heather's Bible StudyAnti-Racist Film Club Summer Movie Night
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