Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
This Sunday marks a special ecumenical moment for St. Stephen’s! We are hosting the Highpoint Youth Group’s Youth Sunday at our 10:00 service.
Youth from St. Stephen’s will be joining with youth from Central Presbyterian, Centenary United Methodist, and Unity Presbyterian to lead our regular worship. They will preside, read the lesson, lead the music, and preach!
What is most exciting for me is that we should see this as normal.
In our tradition the role of leading worship is extended to everyone. There is nothing which prevents it. But we also love our structure and our orders. So, out of habit and a sense of stability, we get used to the priest leading worship…pretty much all of the time.
But the primary role of the priest is sacramental. Pretty much the only thing I’m allowed to do that others can’t is the Eucharist. And even that, it is precisely the blessing of the elements. That’s really it.
However, for the sake of consistency and skilled execution, we all appreciate that we can rely on “the one with the collar” to do it. But this isn’t the only way.
I’m delighted to share the lead with these talented youth and encourage us all to be mindful of our own skill and opportunity to lead.
With love,
Drew