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| To see a 360° view of where we were sitting click on the picture above! |
It was quite a service as we celebrated Jesus' resurrection, heard the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton preach, we welcomed and installed a new director of the ELCA Youth Gathering and applauded and celebrated the work of Heidi Hagstrom who has been the director since 1994 and is close to now becoming a pastor in the ELCA!
Watch the Sunday service from Ford Field by clicking on the video below:
A highlight of the worship service was also taking Holy Communion. Yes, 30,000+ people taking Communion in 17 minutes. We know it took 17 minutes because Grace timed it...
We also heard during the Communion liturgy these words spoken by Bishop Eaton about all of us gathering at the Lord's Table:
"Let this table be a place where our hopes are forged. Let this community gathered here be a reminder that we are not alone. That throughout the world there are people who are working to throw off the old and seek the new life of Christ as they bring peace and justice to the places where they walk...
From all corners of the earth, Jesus invites everyone who hungers to this table. So come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more. Come to this table, you who have been to this meal often and you who have not been for a long time. Come to this table, you who have tried to follow Jesus and you who feel you have failed. Come to this table for Jesus, the Christ, invites us to meet God here."
In the great tradition of youth gatherings of the past, we learned where the next youth gathering will be held...
If you couldn't read that very well, then perhaps this will help...
From Ford Field we left to have some lunch. We stopped at the Olive Garden.
And as we attempted to dodge rain drops on the way home, we played card games and slept.
We had such a fantastic time...experiencing God in new ways...growing together as a group...welcoming new faces...renewing relationship with familiar faces.
Thank you to everyone who helped get us to this gathering. Thank you for every prayer prayed, dollar donated, encouragement given, and for every picture and sentence read on this blog.
As we close this blog, we close with the words we were sent from worship with...
People of God, you are called to follow Jesus.
Whatever you do:
Bear Burdens
Build Bridges
Break Chains
Bring Hope
You do because Jesus did it for you.
Almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Amen.
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