~Church Geek~

It was the first full day of my time in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I couldn’t wait to get to Morning Prayers at Memorial Church at Harvard. I was also invited by my dear friend Emily, to attend a preaching competition at Harvard Divinity School that began at noon. Admittedly, a preaching competition sounded strange even to me; how can that be fairly judged? And should it be?

Well, I ended up wandering over to the Divinity School and heard 3 out of 4 sermons and each one was amazing, inspiriting and inspiring. I was told I missed the one that would probably win. I didn’t envy the people making the judgments. Each sermon I heard was wonderful and provoking; I even took notes!

I geeked out on Sunday too. Emily and I attended BOTH the 9 o’clock and 11 o’clock service which were the same: great music, warm community, inspiring leadership from the pulpit in welcome, prayer and sermon.

I suppose I show up so much because I keep getting a taste of God. Psalm 34 contains these words: “O taste and see that God is good; happy are those who take refuge in God.” Taking refuge in God in worship roots me in the divine love I forget too easily is my birth right. Taking refuge in God among the community of worshiping Christians connects me to the vine of Christ reminding me I am not alone. Taking refuge in God in prayer, scripture, music and yes, sermon, comforts me and coaxes me to more faithful living.

Many Christian communities hold sacred space for people to “taste and see that God is good”. I am grateful for the communities that held sacred space, so I could step into divine reality. I am grateful for the community of First Christian Church of Pomona that holds sacred space for anyone to receive the hospitality of God’s grace.