For our intergenerational worship one Pentecost Sunday, we had flowers and party decorations at the front of the church (thank you, Marcia Janzen!), I made a chocolate cake with icing for the children to share, we sang “Happy Birthday, Dear Church,” blew out the candles on the cake, and then I preached on Pentecost as the often forgotten holiday that we don’t want to forget. It was quite a celebration!
Lord, we gather —
as infants in our parents’ arms,
as children with our snacks and crayons,
as youth whispering with our friends —
we’re just learning what it means to worship.
Lord, we gather —
as young adults trying to find our place within the church,
as parents caring for our children,
as mid-life people with mid-life questions,
as older adults wondering why the questions haven’t stopped —
we’re just learning what it means to worship.
Lord, we gather —
as people with lives too busy or not busy enough,
bursting with energy or already looking forward to that afternoon nap,
content, discontent, or somewhere in between —
we’re just learning what it means to worship.
We come before you today with our unique personalities and experiences,
ready and not yet ready for this time together.
Draw us by your Spirit into your embrace.
Turn our thoughts and voices to thankfulness and praise. Amen.
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