Since every Sunday worship service is the celebration of the
Resurrection, a 'mini Easter' if you will, then it is entirely fitting and
appropriate that we celebrate the Holy Communion every Sunday I am with
you. Every Sunday? Every Sunday.
On other occasions it
may be appropriate to sing and pray a Service of the Word. But,
please do not ask me to "convert" any worship setting from the ELW,
or the LBW, from a Holy Communion worship setting into something
else by dropping out key elements of our common worship.
Secondly, every baptized Christian is entitled to receive the
sacrament of Holy Communion. Except in extremely rare circumstances,
NO impediment of any kind can be placed on them. None. The
Holy Communion is not some sort of exclusive country club. Everyone
is invited. That
means that, normally anyone who appears before me will receive the
sacrament. If this is not acceptable to anyone, they are invited to
discuss the matter with their own pastor or with me.
Last of all, I said that I will lead almost any worship
style. That means you can expect my best, and I hope to enjoy your
best. Perfection? No. But, if we all do our best, that
is especially pleasing in the sight of God. I'm comfortable with all
types of congregational participatory musical styles, but I'm not
comfortable with soloist "performance" styles. My
understanding of worship is that people come to participate in worship, not to see or
hear a performance.
Hope to hear from you by email at "keithhomstad(at)charter.net"
(drop the quotes, and replace the word (at) with the @ sign.)
You can also call me at 507-645-5111 which is my home office.
My compensation is expected to exceed the minimum guidelines
published by the SE MN Synod or the St. Paul Area Synod, plus
mileage.
