The Search

I really enjoyed Russ's sermon. Even though he looked uncomfortable, I connected with his message. I'm really glad I came and worshiped.

Suzanne, Brad, Five Smooth Stones and staff

Wow! you have really created a worship service that appeals to different mind styles and learning styles. The creativity and sound theology never ceases to amaze me. Keep up the great work As for the post by "John" perhaps the best thing we can do is what Jesus commanded and that is to plant seeds. Leave the growing of the seeds to the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we should try the best we can to live by faith in the unknowing of what happens to the seeds we plant. I wonder if Moses contemplated what seeds he and God had planted as the Israelites crossed into the promised land. Perhaps ministry is like that. People in our congregations hear the Good News, the seeds are planted, the Holy Spirit grows and nurtures them, yet we may never know what the harvest will be years from now.We can have faith in the promises of God and that these seeds are in God's care

John, I appreciate your concern. Are you talking about our Music Director, Brad, when he mentions how our service just floats on grace? Huh. Well it does. And we are an intergenerational community, not just one that "attracts" young people. And we love ancient liturgy! I know.....we are weird.

So it saddens me to think that you are concerned with us GenX pastors (I'm a 30-something) that won't have a place to serve. We will. I love traditional church, too. I just don't like "contemporary/praise & worship" churches! I think there is a better way, and you can bet your boots that it starts with community. That is very much one of our values and why I continue to serve THE SEARCH>

Would love to chat with you more, but you didn't leave your email. Please do: suzanne@uccftw.com.

Be well and of joy for our journey to Bethlehem has ended with a glorious star, angels singing and Savior.

Rev. Suzanne Castle

I struggle with how to be relevant to younger folks today in church. I am a DCC minister. I am excited that there are ministries out there who are finding ways to connect. I am saddened however for the church as it has existed. It seems it will go away and simply be something studied as a part of history. The thing that frightens me most about this approach is that people just kind of "float" as someone above said. When one begins to talk about committment, building something that will sustain itself in the community....you know, CHURCH...then younger folks run away because it feels too much like...CHURCH. My question is: Where are all of the divinity students going to serve in 30-40 years, when all of the DCC CHURCHES have died.

I welcome your comments.

I enjoyed the prayer stations yesterday as well. I made a bell bracelet. And everytime it jingled I thanked Jesus for something in my life.

Then I went to the ribbon tying net.
I tied my bells to it and when I did, my spirit lift and I felt warm and happy. They jingled and I thank Jesus for helping me to forgive myself.

Then I grabbed a ribbon and prayed to the lord to free me from some ignorance. I tied the ribbon to the net next to my bells that were tied there. When I tied my ribbon to the net to free myself of my sin of ignorance my bells jingled and I thanked the lord for giving me more opportunities to be a better parent.

Then I grabbed another ribbon and I prayed to the lord to help free me from my lack of patience. Then I tied that ribbon to the net next to my bells that were tied there. When I did my bells that were tied to the net jingled once again and I thanked the lord for giving me more opportunities to build a better relationship with my daughter.

I really liked that. Asking, freeing, thanking. It was most therapeutic.

The Search


The Search does not constitute an end,
nor is it about beginnings
It is a place where the searching,
find what’s in between

The Search provides a home,
where judgments are not judged,
where prayer’s not just prayed,
but spoken from the soul

The Search cannot be touched,
at least not with our hands,
but that which it can touch,
our hands could never hold

The Search is not for all,
nor is it just for some,
Its strength lies in its song,
that sings to those who dare

hey search folks...

just wanted to let anyone checking this out know that it was a huge blessing to work/worship with you all from january thru june!

thanks so much for all you are, aspire to be, and will always be becoming.

peace of christ, todd

Fringe

I feel I’m always on the fringes.
On the outside looking in.
Wondering what I have to do
To feel alright again

(Do you ever feel that way too?)

Getting so close to what I need
Then missing it by a mile
Wondering who can even hear me
In my self-imposed exile.

(You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?)

I know I’m hearing those lies again
Or that’s what everyone said
But they don’t know that those lies
Are the words that echo in my head.

(A bitter legacy we carry, isn’t it?)

Oh dear God please take the pain
And shame and make me new
Can it really be that I can stand
In the light with a God like You?

(Goes against everything the world has to say.)

That’s the hardest part of all
At the core of my belief
That God would love me just as I am
For we are all sinners and liars and thieves.

(When everyone else turns away, I can see Your Face.)

And when I wonder what to say or
How to act for You to make me your own,
I look inside, die to pride, and

You guide me safely home.

(It's safe and warm and welcoming here.)

I thank You, Lord...for the open acceptance of the Search and UCC. Christ's love is in action here. Amen.

Chaos
(written in response to worship on 11.5.06)


Chaos sparks a revolutionary turn

Its dreams are not about order

but its order is about dreams



At a moment, any moment,

the moment Chaos strikes,

the beauty that’s seen in it,

or the idea that there’s not,

depending on the turn,

can be discovered, by the choice



Chaos is a melted rainbow

that had to be smeared,

before it is smoothed,

before its colors saturate the earth



Chaos is a cry for clarity

It’s a splinter in the mind

that once discovered

and pulled,

brings peace



The mystery in chaos,

the reason for its existence,

is that at a moment,

the moment can occur

God is AMAZING! In every way imaginable, unimaginable and Beyond. always loving, always caring, always forgiving, always there, always opening doors of opportunity, always leading the way.
I'm following.

Creator of Life and Love... in your Holy Presence we found ourselves uplifted and renewed. Through sounds and sights; through word and motion; through hand squeezes and smiles we were brought into a community once again.

May Your blessings continue to weave us together to be what you want us to be: THE FACE OF GOD... Thank you for THE SEARCH. Amen and Amen

Heavenly Father, I pray you pour your blessings upon Brad Thompson as he reaches those who are lost through a worship experience that will open their hearts to hear and accept Your word. In Christ's Holy Name, Amen.

Here are prayers for our new Search band and Brad Thompson's leadership, for our new Search pastor, Suzanne, and for a gizillion young adults, and especially college students who are floating about, hoping they will float right into our midst. Let's all hold Sept 10 and the new launch up to the One who is the reason to launch in the first place.