Beside the Sea

Today’s bible reading, Matthew 13, begins in a way that *kind of* reminds me of what we do at the gazebo on Sunday mornings in the summer:
 

¹ That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.

 
I put “kind of” in asterisks because, a) I’m most definitely NOT Jesus, b) we had a good crowd on Sunday – but I wouldn’t say “such great crowds” that we didn’t have space!, and c) there were no first-century gazebos to my knowledge. 

But, it does actually remind me of what we do, in that we are spending time outside ‘beside the sea’ attempting to share with people about God, His Word, and His Kingdom. It’s exactly what Jesus was doing, and each Sunday, we’re trying to follow him in this way.

As for Jesus (read the rest of chapter 13!), some people got it – and some people didn’t. At the gazebo, some people stick around and listen, while some people just keep on walking, playing, riding… and that’s ok.
 

As long as we’re out by the gazebo, we are ‘spreading seeds’ for God’s Kingdom as we seek to represent Jesus in the world.

 
Some of these seeds might take root, some might not. And that’s ok. God knows what He’s doing.
 
It also reminded me of something I wrote last year at this time, and honestly, I wanted to share again with you. So below is a post you may have read last year at this time – but I want to reiterate every word that I wrote in it, because it is equally true today.
 
So without further adieu…
 

---

“…it reminds me of Jesus talking outside to the many. It feels easier to join. Just walk in and sit down.”

 
These are the words that someone sent me as they reflected on their experience at the gazebo. And it’s exactly the point of the gazebo services. I’ve said this before – but one of the things I enjoy most about the gazebo services is that they ARE easier to join, easier to check out without the commitment of being stuck for a whole service. 
 
In my observation, the longer we’re “church folk”, the more we forget how difficult it can be for “non-church folk” to come to church. It can be scary, unknown, unfamiliar – and often too big of a step to take. The gazebo services not only remind me of this reality, but they provide an ‘easier’ step-in opportunity for people. 
 
The purpose of this email/blog is to say to all of you who have made the services happen, in whatever way you have: 
 

thank you.

 
Thank you for arriving early and setting up shade so that people can sit together in more comfort and out of the heat.

Thank you for picking up bagels, setting up tables, and cleaning it all up.

Thank you for teaching (and playing with!) the kids.

Thank you for inviting your friends and neighbors

Thank you for being friendly, hospitable, and welcoming to newcomers.

Thank you for playing music, leading in prayer, and handing out programs.

Thank you for reaching out to folks with dogs, to folks on the playground, and to folks exercising. 

Thank you for praying with people and praying for the services as a whole.

Thank you for coming and worshipping.

Thank you for putting aside the comfort of indoor services (and A/C!) and taking on the heat, humidity, bugs, noise, and extra labor – for the sake of giving others a chance to hear about Jesus. 

Thank you for loving God by loving your neighbors like this. 
 
I’m excited – and thankful – to be doing it again this Sunday. Please continue to pray for the services: that people would experience the love of God, the good news of Jesus, and the life of the Spirit in and through us.