Replenish: First weekend of sabbatical
Not as easy as I thought it would be-but good! I was on the soccer field during the 8:30am worship service (something I never get to do--I even felt a little naughty--ok, I'll admit--it was fun watching Peter's team rock), at the Norwegian Seamen's Church during the 10:30am service, and at Holy Trinity Catholic during the 5:00pm. I can honestly say, my heart was at Trinity all three times.
Pr Ørnulf Steen, the leader of the Sjomannskirke Mission based out of Bergen, Norway preached on the Church as God's big family.
Joy and I joined Det Norske Sjomannskirken-the Norwegian Seamen's Church of San Pedro for their 75th Anniverary party on Saturday night, and for a festive worship service on Sunday. It was great to hear from a long time member of what Christmas was like at the Seamen's Church in the earlier days when there were so many Norwegian sailors in our port. Arlene remembers her mom saying, "Our church has the most worn out Christmas trees anywhere" because they would have a full blown Christmas celebration anything during December if a new ship of Norwegians found harbor in San Pedro. Christmas over and over and over again. Glorious music, food, and fellowship! Joy even got to wear the bunad of our dear friend Marianne Borgen. Cute!
I was happy to join the musicians (playing bass) in leading worship the next day, and to bring a greeting from Trinity and the San Pedro Pastor's Fellowship. I shared that Trinity is thankful for her younger sister, as we were the Norwegian Church in town started nearly 95 years ago (this August 11), and that the Seaman's Church became essential as Trinity had become an English speaking congregation. I also shared that there is great breadth and diversity in the Church of San Pedro. Various languages, ethnicities, focuses, passions, and that the passion and calling of the Norwegian Church is summed up well by that benediction in Romans 15.5-7 "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." The Seamen's Church is passionate and gifted at "welcome...as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." We have so much we could learn from our neighboring congregations!
Our friend Fredrik was the host, Jay played piano, and Miriam played violin. We were also joined by an excellent drummer, trumpet player, and Pr Sverre on the Guitar. Erland sings in our youth band at Trinity, but is a member here and did a beautiful job singing a solo.
More pictures from their celebration can be found here: http://www.sjomannskirken.no/los-angeles-san-pedro/aktuelt/2016/04/takk-til-alle-75-aars-jubileum-23-24-april/
In the evening our kids went to Trinity, and catechism, and youth group, so Joy and I walked to the other Trinity, Holy Trinity Catholic. We went to the LifeTeen Mass, which was led by their fantastic youth band who sensitively led the liturgy and supporting music. Of course we thought of Trinity's Revolution Band who does such a fantastic job at the same thing. There is much reason to hope for the bright future of the whole holy Church! They also prayed for all the churches and ministries in San Pedro. We ran into a friend at Mass whose daughter was at our Trinity youth group at the same time! One Church!
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