Zombies, vampires, psychopathic murderers, greedy manipulators, and power-hungry cheats. In other words, just another evening of TV consumption in my house.
St Paul (Phil 4:8) advises: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - think about such things”. Easy for him to say. He didn’t have the new season of Landman at the push of a button.
Is it only me, or do you also think that there’s not much original thinking in the TV and movie industry? It all seems to be sequels of things that worked in the past – or prequals. Sometimes (I’m looking at you, Marvel Studios) an ever-expanding universe of entertainment is created using the same formula and characters.
In Hollywood, it’s rare for a sequel to be as good as the original. But church is not Hollywood. Last year St John’s tried a grand experiment in a new kind of worship service for the summer months. We called it The All-Age Service, and it was exactly what it said on the packet – a short, lively, fast-paced act of worship for people of all ages. No child was expected to behave exactly like adults, and no adult was expected to pretend to be a kid. It’s a service where everyone can act their age.
The result of the first season of the All-Age Service was good. It was encouragingly-attended, well-received, and hit all its goals. So, I’m excited by the arrival of Season 2 beginning on May 10.
I do believe that we are ready to build on the success of the last year’s series. We have everything you’d expect from a good act of worship – Bible, prayer, liturgy, praise, music, sermon, eucharist, but all in half an hour. I think this service is fairly unique in our city, and I suspect that there are many young families who would never consider coming to a regular Episcopal service who would find this a welcome invitation to the life of our parish. So spread the news to young families in your life, and bring folks.
When? Every Sunday from May 10 - September 6.
What time? 9:30-10 a.m.
Where? The third floor of St John’s campus
Why? Because families grow when they worship together
Another why ... St John’s in a beacon in downtown Montgomery, shining God’s love to the people around us.