Telling Stories Highlights
Last Sunday marked the final installment of the Telling Stories series at Calvary. It felt like a huge accomplishment. I have more than I want to do to make sure the work lives on beyond these ten weeks. As I mentioned before, I hope to have an opening of some sort this fall. Also, I am in the process of creating a web site to showcase the work. As part of the website, I created this slide show to showcase each of the week’s work.
For last week’s service, I also gave the service of giving and prayer during the service. As always, I was a little reluctant to say yes, but I figured it was only appropriate as a way to tie up the series. This is what I said:
This week marks the tenth and final installment of the Telling Stories series for which I have created ten works of art. Earlier this spring, Amy asked me what I wanted to do? I said, Art. I had no idea what that meant, but that was all I said.
Months later I eagerly said yes when she approached me with the idea for this series. I had forgotten the details of many of the Bible stories. For some an idea popped up instantly. For others, I struggled. And up until just three days I ago, I would easily admit to anyone that I have no idea what I am doing.
As you walk by the library in the coming weeks, you will see the result of this challenge. Although far from technically perfect, the pieces have surprised a lot of us. The midwives who actually rocked their babies and the last week’s experience of gathering manna from heaven.
Thank you for all of the comments you have shared with me and each other about the art work. I have been so surprised to hear how the images brought the text to life. I have also benefited from the profound impact of living with these stories over the last ten weeks. The experience certainly confirms my long standing belief of getting in touch with your creativity allows you, in fact, to get in touch with God.
Today in our service of giving, I challenge you to consider what you can give so that your talents may spring forth abundantly like water from the rocks.
And my prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for the stories shared with us through the Bible and specifically those from the last ten weeks. Thank you for helping us to understand that you are steadfast in your love and grace; that you supply our every need; and that you are always opening up unexpected paths, which keep us moving forward on this mysterious journey of serving you.
Today, God, we ask that you give each of us an opportunity to share our talents that you have so graciously given us.
To some that may mean simply discovering our talents.
Or honing skills that we think are insignificant.
Or opening new doors to share our gifts with others.
God, we are eager to serve you and thank you for the abundant blessings you have bestowed upon us.
Amen.
Everything went pretty well. Although I have learned that my heart starts pounding and my voice begins to quake a little around the third paragraph. It probably didn’t help me when I saw John Taylor taking pictures of me. I suspected that he was videoing me. Fortunately that was not the case. However he did send me a very nice email around 11:27. Nice to know that the sanctuary offers pretty good reception.
