WEDNESDAY CHURCH
on the Internet
(Enjoy your mid-week Christian power surge!)
with Rev. Mike Fonfara, D.Min.
mefonfara@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Fourth Week of Lent
Can you believe it? St. Patrick's Day celebrations are just a few days away. This Wednesday Church on the Internet highlights Irish religious culture. There will be quips and quotes. It's meaningful and fun preparing for Easter the Irish way!
WORSHIP SERVICE
Opening Thought
Christ be with me,
standing in front of me,
standing besides me,
standing behind me,
standing at my right and left hands,
Wherever I go, Christ stands with me.
(A Blessing in the Irish Tradition)
Call to Gather
As I always stand in Christ's presence, I worship the Triune God, Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit, with all of my heart and faith. Search my soul and see my faith, O God. Come, receive my praise!
Prayer of Invocation and Confession
Gracious Creator:
You created all that there is on earth to live in perfect harmony and balance. Your Grace displays itself in every good thing. We praise You for your Presence standing with us every day.
Unfortunately, the earth is damaged by sins perpertrated by others and myself. Forgive my foolish ways. In the name of Jesus Christ, please strengthen my soul to reject sin and embrace righteousness. Thank you for the divine gifts of a clean slate and new chances to live the right way.
Amen.
Assurance of God's Forgiveness and Gift of New Life
If God wills it, it will be done.
God's nature is such to love the repentent heart.
God wills mercy upon those faithful whose hearts repent
from the daily errors aganst the Christian Spirit and created earth.
If you are one of the repentent, your sins are forgiven.
Unrepentent sinners must beware of divine wrath!
(Modern Irish Worship Resource)
Scripture Proverbs 16:24
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."
Message
The Irish demonstrate pure genius as they wield words to offer life's truth in entertaining and comforting ways. The following sayings are examples of such genius.
1. Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
2. May your grass always be green.
May your skies forever blue.
May God bless the Irish.
And may God bless you!
3. May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your window pane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Which one did you like the best? Why?
Closing Prayer
2. The majority of Christians claim loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church. Strong Protestant demoninations claim minority status.
3. St. Patrick serves as the Island's Patron Saint. Other saints, particularly St. Brigid, receive much reverence.
4. The Irish excel in the arts. Blending the visual arts, literature, music, theater, storytelling, and other expressions of creativity makes for an entertaining culture.
5. In the Irish culture, almost everybody visits the local pub for libration and great food. Patrons are equal in the pubs and can freely experess their opinions without risking catcalls and vile ribbing for their efforts. Of course, they can drown their emotions in a glass of Guiness or Bailey's Irish Cream.
6. The gift of humor serves as a special element in Irish charm. It is the comfort food for their sad, tragic, and depressive history. Humor allows the Irish to thrive in the face of adversity. Here is a sample of Irish joking.
1. Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
2. May your grass always be green.
May your skies forever blue.
May God bless the Irish.
And may God bless you!
3. May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your window pane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Which one did you like the best? Why?
Closing Prayer
O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your
servant, the son of your maidservant; you have
freed me from my chains. I will
sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name
of the Lord. I will
fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of
the house of the Lord – in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Amen.
(Psalm 116:16-19)
Benediction
May joy and peace surround you,
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now
and bless you evermore!
(A Traditional Irish Send-Off)
SACRED MISCELLANY
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now
and bless you evermore!
(A Traditional Irish Send-Off)
SACRED MISCELLANY
Without a doubt, Ireland is one of most charming European countries. The people never forget "the sorrows," but live with a cheerful disposition and a twist of humor. Ireland brings a smile to all people who know the traditions of leprechauns, faeries, and other wee people as they hold on to their strong Christian faiths. The following is a little different Wednesday Church travelogue to the Emerald Isle.
1. The harp is the traditional symbol of the Irish Republic. The original harp resides in Dublin's Trinity College Library and can be viewed by the public.
2. The majority of Christians claim loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church. Strong Protestant demoninations claim minority status.
3. St. Patrick serves as the Island's Patron Saint. Other saints, particularly St. Brigid, receive much reverence.
4. The Irish excel in the arts. Blending the visual arts, literature, music, theater, storytelling, and other expressions of creativity makes for an entertaining culture.
5. In the Irish culture, almost everybody visits the local pub for libration and great food. Patrons are equal in the pubs and can freely experess their opinions without risking catcalls and vile ribbing for their efforts. Of course, they can drown their emotions in a glass of Guiness or Bailey's Irish Cream.
6. The gift of humor serves as a special element in Irish charm. It is the comfort food for their sad, tragic, and depressive history. Humor allows the Irish to thrive in the face of adversity. Here is a sample of Irish joking.
Sean was pleased to invite Murphy over to his humble residence to watch the local
football goons on the kitchen TV. The boys were favored to knock the stuffing
out of the rival team. The game went well for the home team. Sean and Murphy
celebrated the local team's fierce play by downing many mugs of Guiness.
out of the rival team. The game went well for the home team. Sean and Murphy
celebrated the local team's fierce play by downing many mugs of Guiness.
When the locals won, host Sean was so overjoyed that he started tap dancing. The
festivities came to a quick halt when Sean slipped on the tap and broke his ankle in the sink!
With that, I want to thank you for visiting this week's Wednesday Church on the Internet. Please visit next Wednesday (March 20th) when more worship inspiration, photos, and sacred miscellany will give you a mid-week Christian power surge! Please tell others about Wednesday Church so that they, too, can enjoy the faith boost. Thanks again. Walk in peace! Aho. (Native American for something close to "amen.")
Rev. Mike Fonfara, D.Min.
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