Renewing the Chandelier

Old First has this magnificent chandelier. We lowered it a couple weeks ago (a complicated process requiring steel cables, a geared windlass, and a number of ropes) in order to clean it and change the bulbs. Then we built scaffolding around it in order to reach its higher parts. Working in these pictures are Michael, Daniel, Rachel, William, and Christina. Photos are by William and Michael.

On Singleness

My friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Chuck DeGroat, of the City Church of San Francisco, posted this on his blog, The New Exodus. He calls it "The Missional Position: Myths and Musings on Being Single." We were discussing singleness in an Old First small group last night, and how most of us at Old First (certainly not all of us) participate as "singles," even when we're married, while most churches seem to regard "married couples" as the norm.

What is Passionate Spirituality?

Here is a working definition for Old First: Passionate spirituality is receiving the power of God in the Spirit of Jesus for transformation of our lives, yielding love and joy.

Why this? The phrase "passionate spirituality" comes from the program called "Natural Church Development" (NCD) which we are using at Old First. This program measures the health of a church by means of eight categories. The goal is to measure your church to find out which of the categories it's weakest in, and then address that category.

Three years ago, we determined we were weakest in Small Groups, so we addressed that. This last time around we determined we are weakest in Passionate Spirituality, so we are addressing that.

But what does that mean, Passionate Spirituality? It's very hard to define. What's the difference between spirituality that's passionate and spirituality that's not? What's the difference between passion that's spiritual and passion that's not?

Well, I doubt my definition is the best one, but I don't think it's a bad one, and at least it's a place to start, so I offer it. Once again, Passionate spirituality is receiving the power of God in the Spirit of Jesus for transformation of our lives, yielding love and joy.

My Other Career

I don't know why these photos got posted in reverse order, but the top one should be the last one. This is from the Jinglebell Jamboree of 2008, the community holiday concert at Old First. That's Ethan Schlesser and myself. I'm the Garfunkel to his Simon. We're performing his song-and-dance number, "At the Jinglebell Jamboree". He's at the piano, and behind us is our band, the Bilger Family Band (they're "The Band" to our Bob Dylan; ha ha.). That's Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Borough Presient, who's our chief fan.

Ethan wants to do this again. Well, it brings out a part of me I had put behind. The last time I took stage was at the Sayville (Long Island) High School musicals. In 1970 I was the first tenor in the quartet for The Music Man. In 1971 I was Marryin' Sam in Li'l Abner. Strange, in that role I played a renegate preacher. Hmmm.

New Hope Saints Paint

Here's some more photos of our young saints from Powell, Ohio. And you know what, they also donated the paint!

Sanctuary Renovations

These are the wonderful young people from the New Hope Reformed Church of Powell, Ohio. Thirty high-schoolers plus eight adult sponsors. Working hard and with love. This is their second trip to Old First, as part of our Project Samuel program. Four years ago they painted the Lower Hall.

Elaine Beery is the interior designer at Old First. The photos are by Jane Barber of barberdesign.com.

They will have made a great beginning. There is much more to do, it's a huge sanctuary. Thank you for your inspiration and your love.

Windows and Worldviews

Every Sunday an angel comes into our church to comfort and encourage me. This angel comes through the east Rose window above the balcony in our sanctuary. I have written about this angel in an article which the magazine called Perspectives has just very kindly published. You can access this article on line by going through this link to "Windows and Worldviews."