Video by Matt Logan, used by permission. Worship at the Edge
Lake Edge United Church of Christ, 8-11-13
THE ECSTASY OF EXPRESSION
It’s clear we’re here
for PRIDE celebration
To lift up all living –
Jesus’s exhortation
To love without boundaries
and love all we meet
Good news evident, everywhere
we happened to take a seat
For if there’s not love
in each person’s heart,
what good are the Gospels?
Why even start
to work hard for all people’s
true dignity
Extending to all this
expression of glee
I was born this way
That’s what Gaga sings…
We joined in the dance
and our souls sprouted wings
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Lake Edge United Church of Christ has a “Worship at the Edge” service at 11 each Sunday morning here in Madison. Sometimes, it’s worship WITH an edge… as in this PRIDE Sunday, when Chris, Jennie, Hayley, Peter, and a bunch of co-conspirators flashmobbed the church with Lady Gaga on the overhead! Talk about real ecstasy, a true and lively expression of the Holy Spirit amongst us.
Ray, your talk had me in tears, and bless you for speaking the truth in love. Thanks, Matt Logan, for filming and editing so fast! And Lex, you rock. Not just because you’re my husband… because you’re a pastor who presents God’s extravagant welcome with a rainbow ‘round your shoulders!
This is for E at ABC Wednesday, as well as in the sidebar at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads and Poets United. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
Can I hear a ‘Hallelujah”?
Sharp Little Pencil
I know we’re always in each other’s ‘Amen Corners’!
Kate
Or at least an “Amen?” Kate, ABC Team
Sharp Little Pencil
Too funny, just said that to Roger! Coming to your blog now, Kate.
Sherry Blue Sky
Now THAT is a church service I would love to attend! Am sure Jesus was smiling. LOVE! IT!
Sharp Little Pencil
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome in the UCC. That includes people for whom Christianity is not the path. It’s still good to get together with folks whose common mission is love, you know? And my daughter is agnostic but thinks our church kicks major butt!
Lisa A.Williams
Looks like something I would enjoy, lovely poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
If you’re ever in Madison, WI, we have a spare room with a blowup mattress (no, not a blow-up DOLL…!!). C’mon down. Or up.
lesliebc
AMEN to that!
Leslie
abcw team
Sharp Little Pencil
We are getting so “churched” here today! Amy
kaykuala
To love without boundaries
and love all we meet
Good news evident, everywhere
we happened to take a seat
Rightly said! You have such a wonderful crowd around you. You are blessed Amelita! Love the poem. Lots of good things in life has to do with what Providence decides upon the chosen ones! Brilliant take!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, I’m not chosen, Hank. I’m just choosy about where I worship. If they don’t accept and embrace my WHOLE family (including mentally ill ME), I won’t set foot in the door because I’m not welcome. Thanks so much… ha ha, Providence in Madison!!
Carver
Great post! Sounds like a great Church. “To love without boundaries” and “To work hard for all people’s dignity” are excellent expressions! Carver, ABC Wed. Team
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for stopping by, Carver! Will pay you a visit now. Glad you like my offering for ABC… Amy
Kay, Alberta, Canada
I knew as I clicked on your name that you’d have something amazing here, Amy. Amazingly wonderful, and so joyous.
K
Sharp Little Pencil
Kay, I am blessed to be in relationship with this group of folks. Thx for your sweet words! A
Nanka
Great congregation, an energetic action musical!! Who wouldn’t want to pray this way!!
“My Post Is Here”
Sharp Little Pencil
Nanka, we usually don’t use taped music, but this was a special presentation and because all sorts of lay members were excited and involved, my husband the pastor said, “Go for it!” We all take ownership of worship, everyone is free to contribute in any way possible. I love my church, and I’m in the back, playing keys.
brian miller
that is awesome amy…i have a pretty progressive church as well…we are the rock n roll church in town…ha…challenging people to love without boundaries is bold…eric bryant wrote a book a couple years ago called peppermint filled pinatas that really stuck to me…its about being called to love and how love is so much different than tolerance….
Sharp Little Pencil
Brian, yes, I HATE the word ‘tolerance.’ Tolerance is when someone passes gas and you tolerate it and stay in the room. Acceptance is often grudging. If you want to get the message of Jesus across, you have to EMBRACE all without condition. Homeless, LGBT, mentally ill, sightless… everyone. And we have all in our church, including a homeless dude who doesn’t want to be bound to a home, he drops in once in a while and we talk… Thanks so much, Brian. Why am I not surprised you go to a rowdy church too?! Peace, Amy
mybeautfulthings
Fabulous! I love your poems and your commentaries and love that your Church is so open and loving and accepting. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, acceptance and embrace are the keys. I figure any church that would have manic-depressive PTSD sexual abuse survivor ME as pastor’s wife is pretty darned open! Coming to visit you now… A
Sara v
Amy, my arms are open, for hugs and joy–I want to worship on the Edge 🙂 Wonderful celebration, wonderful poem!! Welcoming love is the way to be
I HAVE A VOICE
how wonderfully inviting and fabulous talk ! Thank you Doll, for spiritual fodder!
Sharp Little Pencil
You are more than welcome. A lot of folks would scream at this type of worship, and I understand that… but for those who are open to shouting to the Lord in joy, c’mon down! Amy
Rajesh
Very nice.
Gattina
That’s a very nice service ! Unthinkable in the Belgian catholic churches (Belgium is a catholic country) The mass is held in a traditional boring way and nobody goes to church anymore except some elderly people !
Suzy
Lovely poem. I loved the lines “We joined in the dance and our souls sprouted wings” – what a joyful line.
Dropping by from ABC Wed and Verse First linkups.
Suzy at Someday Somewhere and Reflections of my soul