This Week in 8/25 Worship
Dear Grace Family,
This week I went to Kauffman Stadium to watch the Royals play the Angels. Moving to Olathe has given me the opportunity to see the Royals play more times than any other summer of my life. And what a great season to watch the Royals at the K. It has been a remarkable turnaround after losing 106 games last year. With 35 games left in the season, they are only 2 games out of first place and are in position to make the playoffs as a wildcard team. The next 20 games are the toughest stretch for the team, but for now we should sit back and enjoy it.
During our Homecoming Series we have been comparing the church to different sports. We talked about baseball a few weeks ago but let me share a couple of fun comparisons between baseball and the church that I am borrowing from Susan Sparks. The first is a quote from the movie Bull Durham, Kevin Costner’s best baseball movie! Susan Sarandon opens the movie with this analogy.
“I believe in the church of baseball … For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball … and the only church that truly feeds the soul day in and day out is the church of baseball.”
The second is from the comedian George Carlin talking about the spiritual nature of baseball by commenting on the difference between football and baseball.
“In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general to … hit his receivers with deadly accuracy … With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory … In baseball, the object is to go home and to be safe.”
I would probably push back on the accuracy of both quotes if I were talking to Susan or George. Baseball is not the only church that feeds the soul, and I love football as much as I love baseball, but I do think there is something spiritual about sitting out at Kauffman Stadium, connecting with fans and rooting for our team. We were created for community and that is sports at its best. It is also when the church is at its best. We are a community where everyone is welcome, gathered for a common purpose as we share our lives together.
This Sunday, Mitch and I will switch places as we talk about the importance of small groups in the church. It is in smaller groups that we often find the deepest connections with each other and with God. If you are looking for a place to come home and be safe, there is no better place than Grace United Methodist Church.
See you in worship!
Barry
Join Grace as we share ice cream with our friends and neighbors at Olathe Old Settlers on Saturday evening, September 7th. There are many ways to participate: donate supplies, help make ice cream, help serve ice cream or come eat ice cream. Please contact Anna Purcell with any questions or 816-806-6417. Sign up to help by using the sign up genius link here or forms found at the connection hubs.
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