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| Rev. Ron Brown, a classmate at Clemson - only the gray hair is different! |
WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Last week our family had 5 days of glorious celebrations with our daughter entering a second career and graduating from nursing school and our dedicating an instrumentation lab in memory of David's Dad, Dr. Conrad Park at Newberry College! In the midst of all of this I got a text from a college friend saying my college roommate's husband would be preaching at their lakeside service on Sunday and several other folks from Clemson might be there. Along with graduations from new places and reminiscing about Newberry College in the 60's, I now had an opportunity to visit with college friends from 45 years ago! Even with the nearly three hour drive, worshiping with folks from Hope Lutheran Church was a "no brainer"!
WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
We passed Hope Lutheran on our way to David and Nancy Hamson's lake house on Lake Marion. While, not hard to find, it is the farm and peach country of South Carolina's low country and its address is listed as both Vance, SC and Eutawville, SC. Google either to get there. Services on Sundays are at 10:30 am
REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP
MOOD
Seeing "old" college friends definitely made the mood welcoming. However, not knowing us at all, our first encounter was an offer to ride us down the hill from where we parked to the lake in a golf cart! The lake side service was very informal with the guest pastor (my college roommate's husband), Rev. Ron Brown, providing the music and the message. The small congregation also used this opportunity for a covered dish lunch. The lake setting was bucolic and the birds at times provided accompaniment and an added touch of nature to the service!
MUSIC
Ron used his guitar to provide music. Much of it was reminiscent of the Chicago Folk Service we used in college. And Ron even alluded to feeling like we were at an LSM (Lutheran Student Movement) event. It had been way too long since I had sung They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love by Peter Scholtes and Ron set the Doxology and Psalm to easy tunes of his own making on the guitar. The sending hymn was from Petula Clark with words slightly altered: God's Love is warmer than the warmest sunshine... Everyone sang with gusto.
MESSAGE
The text for Ron's sermon was John 15: 9-17: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you, abide in my love." He used the words of Do You Love Me? from Fiddler on the Roof as an example of the text. Just as Goldie and Tevia realize that they have grown in love by living together and serving each other, so Jesus claims us and we claim others with the joy of service. Jesus has chosen us to bring His love into the world. As this church was formed through outreach, and is transitioning after their pastor retired, Ron reminded them to hold fast to their roots of love and outreach.
OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS
- After the service the six of us from Clemson enjoyed fellowship and catching up. It never ceases to amaze me how Kathy, my roommate, and I can go sometimes years in between seeing each other, but can reconnect instantly. The same goes for David and Nancy, our hosts. Folks who go through those forming years in college together and who are rooted in your same faith are often life-long friends.
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| David with Nancy, our host, and Sharon and Arnold - Clemson's LSM reunites!! |
- During our conversation, it became obvious that while the internet has reached this part of South Carolina, they struggle with connections, cable, and speed. Perhaps this is why I could not find a website for this small church. While searching for their website I did find a facebook page but it only had 2 pictures and the most recent post was in March. If they hope to reach the next generation of members (and they are obviously an older congregation), they will need to work on this.
- In several places the church's name is listed as "Hope Lutheran Church Outreach" and Ron alluded to their outreach as a model for forming a new congregation. However, no outreach was listed in today's bulletin; another thing to work on.
THIS WEEK'S FUNNY
My friends "accuse" me of wanting church music that is too old fashioned or traditional. And yes, a little Bach does soothe my soul. But I "came of age" in the 60's and 70's and think our folk music is MUCH EASIER to sing than today's Praise music. You know you are getting old when "your" music is retro!!
