The people of Two Rivers United Methodist Church, which was organized in 1833 as the first Christian church in Rock Island County, will celebrate Reconciling Sunday in worship on June 25, at 9:30. This worship service will celebrate the passing of a welcome statement that affirms LGBTQ+ people and commemorate the church’s joining the Reconciling Ministries Network.
(more…)Tag: Worship
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The Open Table
On May 25 at 6:00 p.m., Two Rivers Church will share meal with meaning. The purpose of the dinner will be strengthen our community of faith and create a spirit of invitation and hospitality. The meal will be provded at no costs to all guests, and the dinner will include prayers, music, Biblical reflection, and Communion.
This is possible with an amazing partnership with QC Coffee and Pancake House. Members of Two Rivers Church and guests at our Saturday meal site are especially encouraged to be a part of this “Dinner Church,” but this is also a great chance for people to invite new people into a new way to experience worship and faith.
Based on the work of Christopher Grundy, and his book “Recovering Communion in a Violent World,” this will be a unique experience. Jesus ate with people much more than he attended “church” or went to worship. His ministry was done at the table. In resurrection, he was made known when he broke bread. This is how we “remember Jesus,” by breaking bread and sharing in the love and Kin-dom of God that he proclaimed.
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Star Words to start the new year
On the first Sunday (and first day) of the year, we will celebrate Epiphany Sunday, which commemorates the visitation of Christ by the Magi from the East. The Magi, guided by a star, brought gifts to the newborn King, and thwarted King Herod’s plan for violence.
The Star Words will be given out to those in worship on Epiphany Sunday. Star Words is a contemporary tradition of passing out intention words on Epiphany—a tradition growing in popularity amongst many Protestant churches. Inspired by the Magi following the star to Jesus, selecting a star word to meditate on throughout the new year can deepen your self-reflection and prayer practices.
The use of star words is a prayer practice connected to Epiphany and the new year that has been growing in popularity in Protestant churches for nearly a decade now. The idea is that a list of intention words, or guiding words, are written or printed on paper stars. These paper stars are then arranged, most commonly face down, on the Communion Table or in a large basket. Individuals are often encouraged to place their star word somewhere they
will see it regularly throughout the year to allow consistent reflection on how God has moved through, around, or in connection to that word. -
COVID-19 Response as of January 12, 2022
Dear Friends,
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We are doing our best to move forward as a community of faith as safely and effectively as possible. Due to the rising numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in our area, we have decided to limit in-person gathering at church to the bare essentials. -
Blue Christmas
On the longest night of the year, we will gather for a special “Blue Christmas” service. On Wednesday, December 22, at 7:00 p.m., we create space for grief and healing in this annual tradition of Blue Christmas. On the night when the darkness is the greatest, we will enter it and find beauty.
People of faith too often feel pressure to find only joy in Christmas. but the messiness and reality of life reminds us that there is often pain this time of year. In fact, there are things about the Christmas season that sharpen the pain of loss, grief, anxiety, and depression. This service is a chance to speak to this truth.
The service will last about 30 minutes. There will be a time for quiet prayer, music, reflection, and a ritual for healing that will create something beautiful. The piece that we create will be a part of the Christmas Eve atmosphere on Friday at 4:00 p.m., when we celebrate the coming of Christ in worship.
