Through the labyrinth
I have fond memories of Vesper services. In college, the vespers service which I attended from time to time, featured the college Chorus, student worship leaders and great visiting preachers , and all of this in the quiet of a North Carolina Sunday night.
At church camp and on retreats we often celebrated Vespers, sometimes carrying lit candles to and from the campfire. We sang to the chords of a guitar, often strummed with more love than talent, but occasionally expertly played. We did sing Kumbaya, and Amazing Grace before it was popular and They’ll know We are Christians by Our Love.
From time to time at Ring Lake Ranch, in the middle of a two week session, when folks travel to the Yellowstone or Grand Tetons, head out for wilderness hiking; we have regathered on Sunday night around the campfire for Sunday Vespers, followed by hot chocolate and s’mores. The few feet between the fire and our feet seems hardly closer than the stars to our eyes. It is about as far as God from our hearts.
Vespers, a Sunday evening tradition we will be instituting this September 23rd at Cleveland Park Church. I eagerly anticipate the peace of soul, the quietness of heart and the joy of mind we will share. And the laughter and the tears and the challenge and heart stopping, soul moving, mind blowing word of God. And I can almost promise no Kumbaya.
Vespers
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
