This summer, we will actively covenant together in multiple ways, particularly in our physical gatherings in one one another’s homes. This four-part video series will lay out the foundation and specific details related to expectations, hopes, and practices.
A Word from our Pastor: Erroneous Assumptions
No one invisible.
Listening to Black Voices: Trevor Noah & Anne Marie Brown
We have been talking about the importance of de-centering our own stories and listening to the stories of others, especially those on the margins. We are sharing videos from different members and staff on what voices they are listening to that are shaping and reshaping their perspective.
Have a voice you’d like to share with us? Email a video to meg@tbcrichmond.org or severns@tbcrichmond.org.
You can find the video from Trevor Noah Kate talks about here.
Making the Shift: from “one-way giving” to “mutual interdependence” (March 2018)
During this conversation, Wendy McCaig will share her experiences in bridging the gap between middle class white faith communities and lower income predominately African American communities using the principles and practices of Asset-Based Community Development. Through a combination of story and the sharing of ABCD practices, participants will learn how this strategy could help bridge the gap between church and community in a way that leads to healing on both sides of the divide.
Why is Richmond Still Segregated? (Feb. 2018)
Segregation isn’t an accident of history, or a matter of preference or choice. There are historical and policy decisions that shape Richmond’s sharply segregated housing and school patterns. Redlining and restrictive covenants established these barriers that persist to keep us separated to the modern day.
This presentation was shared by Heather Crislip, on Feb. 21, 2018. Tabernacle hosted a 5 month dialogue on Race during the winter and spring of that year. Heather is a beloved and active member of our faith community and serves as President/CEO of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. (HOME). We’re incredibly proud of Heather and see God at work in innumerable ways as she uses her gifts to serve our community.
Listening to Black Voices: Black Voices in Fiction
We have been talking about the importance of de-centering our own stories and listening to the stories of others, especially those on the margins. We are sharing videos from different members and staff on what voices they are listening to that are shaping and reshaping their perspective.
In this first video, Associate Pastor Meg Lacy Vega shares some black voices in fiction that have impacted her recently. Have a voice you’d like to share with us? Email a video to meg@tbcrichmond.org or severns@tbcrichmond.org.
Sunday, May 24 | Ascension Sunday
we’re glad you can join us for worship!
This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning, or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
We will partake in Communion at the end of today’s service. We encourage you to prepare your elements before the service begins at 11AM if you would like to participate.
CALL TO WORSHIP: “Ascension Day” (Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons, Seventy Sonnets for the Christian Year)
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory
whilst we were rooted still in time and place,
as earth became a part of heaven’s story
and heaven opened to his human face.
We saw him go and yet we were not parted,
He took us with Him to the heart of things.
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted
is whole and heaven-centered now, and sings;
sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,
whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness
and sing the waning darkness into light;
His light in us and ours in Him concealed,
which all creation waits to see revealed.
HYMN #215: “Rejoice, the Lord is King”
V. 1: Rejoice, the Lord is King:
your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
V. 2: Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when He had purged our stains,
He took His seat above:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
V. 3: His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules both earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given:
lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice!
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:16-19
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise Him all creatures here below,
praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Whether you’ve been coming to Tabernacle for years, or just recently started worshiping with us online, we are glad you’re here, and invite you to participate in other opportunities for fellowship and discipleship as well! There are several groups meeting regularly that are open to newcomers, and our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. The Soul Care Project is a digital series that that you can follow along with at your own pace. It offers a weekly theme promoting practices to help us care for our souls by connection with ourselves, God, and the world. We encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast and interact with the resources available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Soul Care Week Five: Getting Lost
Join us on the podcast this week as we talk about the spiritual practice of getting lost, learning to navigate the wilderness of place and soul.
The wilderness
holds answers
to more questions
than we have yet
learned to ask.
– Nancy Newhall
Pray as you go: The Welcoming Prayer
Sink into this three part prayer that helps us welcome uncomfortable feelings and experiences and find God in the midst of one.
First, feel and sink into what you are experiencing this moment in your body.
Next, “welcome” what you are experiencing this moment in your body as an opportunity to consent to the Divine Indwelling.
Finally, Let go by saying “I let go of my desire for security, affection, control and embrace this moment as it is.”
“Start practicing the Welcoming Prayer with the little things in life — small, everyday frustrations like sitting in traffic or waiting in line at the grocery store. Practicing with the small things prepares us for the bigger upsets.”
Learn more about The Welcoming Prayer at ContemplativeOutreach.org.
FAMILY PRACTICE: COLORING PAGE
Grab some crayons,
markers,
or colored pencils
and retreat into your
spiritual,
emotional,
psychological
cave as a family
and color a picture
of a Wild Cactus
together.
Summer Discipleship
An update on what Spiritual Formation opportunities will look like this summer for adults, youth, and children.
Meg Discipleship Update May from Sterling W. Severns on Vimeo.
You can find more information about what worship will look like in this next phase in Sterling’s video here. Join us this Sunday, May 17, at 2PM for a Town Hall Meeting, in which Pastor Sterling and Pastor Meg will address questions about these plans.
A Word from Our Pastor: Significant Update/Summer 2020
