Archive for January 2009

What is “Taizé”?

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In 1940, a 25-year-old man from Switzerland, Brother Roger, came to the
small
village of Taizé in the Burgundy Region of France with the dream of
starting an ecumenical community for contemplation and for the
reconciliation of Christians of all faiths.

Today the community is made up of brothers from several continents and
various denominations, draws ten’s of thousands of people from all parts of
the world. They come as part of their search for trust and communication in
their lives. Three times each day they join with the brothers for prayer in
the
Church of Reconciliation. An important part of the Taizé experience is
the singing of simple meditative songs that were developed for the prayer
service. The simple phrases of the songs are easily memorized. They are
repeated over and over again to help people enter into the contemplation of
the presence of God.


Our Taizé worship at SL P&L follows this tradition of the Taizé community. This candlelight worship service lasts about 30 minutes and contains two readings, a time of silence, prayers of intercession, the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing. The elements are combined with simple meditative Taizé songs.

 

So, if you need a little break from your all too busy life, please join us for prayer, song and silence. This will help you to refocus on the presence of God and will recharge your batteries at the end of the week.

 

We are looking forward to see you Fridays at 7:08 PM at South Lyon Power & Light.


What’s happening?

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REGULAR events at South Lyon Power & Light:

 

Sundays:                  8:15 AM            Worship team rehearsal

9:10 AM            Worship

                              

Wednesdays:           1:00 PM             Women’s Bible Study

                               6:00 PM             Puppet Show Practice

                              

Fridays:                    7:08 PM             Taizé Worship Service

Pelle’s Thoughts

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There has been a lot of snow coming down this winter here in Michigan. Recently I was sitting on the windowsill, watching the snowflakes falling down from the sky. I suddenly realized how beautiful they are and that each one was shaped differently.

 

That reminded me of the day when we were taking down the Christmas decoration in the parish house. Okay, I wasn’t taking down anything. I was sitting on the sideboard and giving Pr. Pamela advice how to best wrap the ornaments, so that they won’t break while being stored in the closet until next December. Then I saw her taking a star off the Christmas tree which was made out of clothespins. It is painted white, and has some silver glitter on it. The backside has a writing on it, saying: Remember, you are God made and unique like each snowflake.

 

Very often we are tempted to put a lot of effort in trying to be like somebody else. There are people we admire, who’s gifts we admire. And we want to be like them. We want to accomplish what they accomplish. We envy them their talents because we are not aware of the fact that our talents and gifts are as precious and as important as theirs.

But every person with their uniqueness has a place in God’s kingdom. And not only that. Every person with their uniqueness is NEEDED in God’s kingdom to make it grow.

But that also means that other people are as unique and as precious in God’s sight as you are. They may look different they may act differently, they may have a different opinion, but they are still God’s beloved children as much as you are a beloved child of God.

 

So every time you see snow falling from the sky don’t get mad because spring still isn’t in sight, because the roads are slippery, or because you can’t make it out of your driveway. But remember that you are one of very many people, who are precious children of God and who are God made and unique like each snowflake!

 

Yours Pelle

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