A Service of Lament

If this is your first time with us, know that today is not a “regular” Sunday. Just one week ago, we celebrated Easter together—singing, praying together, and connecting scripture with our daily lives. And while we will do all those things today, we are also acutely aware of just how much can change in a week. This past Tuesday, Dana Schwendeman, our Youth Director for the past 8 ½ years, passed away suddenly. Each time someone in our community passes, it leaves a void. When that person is on staff, and has been for the better part of a decade, I’m discovering that void is much larger. Dana was someone who helped us to understand who God has called us to be… she loved us and formed us… her finger prints are all around us. And so today, as we gather to worship our God like we do each and every Sunday, we do so with deep sadness in our hearts. One of our values is Honest Worship—we invite everyone to participate in worship authentically and holistically; heart, mind, soul, and body. Today, we are reminded that sometimes, worship isn’t “happy,” but there is joy and comfort to be found when we are together.