Really, I will soon be reflecting on the Bishop's Convocation, and a million other postponed-posts. But one more question:
What's the best worship experience you remember having? What can you tell me about it? What made the experience 'the best'? Where were you? What was the context?
For my own answer, the first things that come to mind are two worship services where the sermons moved me to tears. I don't remember anything else about the services though, other than the sermon. I think the opening worship the first time I attended General Conference was very powerful - it was just overwhelming to be with a gathered global community of United Methodists. I remember several worship experiences during a CCYM retreat in high school that collectively were extremely powerful to me, and hearing Bishop Woodie White preach during Exploration '98, although I can't tell you much detail about what he said.
What's been your best worship experience?
3 comments:
Excellent question, kiddo!
I actually have several that immediately popped into my head:
* late November/early December 1994 - Grace UMC in Cape Coral Florida: St. Andrew's Day service with Rev Jim McWhinnie. St. Andrew, of course, being the patron saint of Scotland and it was such a delightful service with tartans and bagbipes and although I don't remember the sermon exactly I DO remember that I always loved hearing McWhinnie preach so it must have been good!
* July 13 2002 - Downtown Syracuse NY: Luis Palau Festival. The most amazing part of this for me was Kirk Franklin's performance. Clinton Square was overflowing with people and the Spirit was as intense as the music (and the heat).
* August 26 2004 - New York State Fair, Syracuse NY: Michael W. Smith and MercyMe. Not ONLY did we have absolutely phenomenal seats, but I still get goosebumps when I hear some of the songs done that night and remember how I felt being there.
* Sundays with Rev. David Underwood - Erwin First UMC, Syracsue NY. It's impossible for me to narrow this down any further, unfortunately. Every week was special and intense and enlightening ... and amusing. The early contemporary service was my "norm" because it was so laid back and often felt like camp to me, but there were a lot of weeks when I would stay for the traditional service, also, primarily to hear Dave give the complete sermon.
How about the one where my wife turns to me and proclaims to me that she's ready.
What she was saying was that she was ready to be a minister's wife. The final piece to me accepting God's call into ministry.
one of my most powerful worship experiences occurred in some arena in philadelphia. i stood in what seemed to be the furthest row from the stage and sang with bono, "i will sing, sing a new song. how long to sing this song?" i'm not sure what it was exactly, but something about that moment transcended everything else. it was otherworldly for me. it was holy and mysterious. it was sacramental.
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