A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

This summer our family has become big fans of The Flash, a TV series based on the DC superhero. The Flash exists in the same universe as other DC comics heroes, like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, etc. The Flash will have a role in the upcoming Justice League movie(s). Season Three of the TV series kicks off in October. We've watched the first two seasons over the last eight weeks or so on demand. Season One on Netflix, Season Two on Amazon.

You probably know, and can certainly guess from the image above, that The Flash is fast. I used to think he was the most boring superhero- how can running save people? And on his own The Flash would be mostly useless. But the best thing about the series is that Flash is not alone. He is part of a team, almost like Scooby Doo's pals in the Green Machine.

So say a villain with super powers shows up in Central City. Obviously The Flash is the most equipped to handle the situation, but how? Run laps around him? Challenge her to a race? Here comes his team. One is a physicist. One is a doctor. One is an engineer. One is a cop. One is an investigator. They meet together, study their opponent, formulate a plan, and execute it-- all in 43 minutes or so. The Flash gets the publicity; no one knows about his buddies. But he is "quick" -- ha-- to share praise and celebrate victories within the team. The victories are almost always found in the planning.

I've been doing some planning with various folk recently here at Grace, and you'll begin to see some of that fruit roll out over the coming weeks. Our worship team has outlined services through the end of the year. Our Connecting Grace (a new church-wide small group ministry) is finalizing its plan. The stewardship team is formulating a direction to teach a spiritual approach to giving. Here is an outline of upcoming worship services, so you'll have an idea of what is coming next:

• September 11-- 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. A memorial observance. Exodus 32:7-14, Luke 15:1-10
• September 18  "Dishonest or Shrewd?" 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13
• September 25 "Return on Investment" Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Luke 16:19-31
• October 2-- Stewardship series: "Fall Into Grace" Part 1: "Big Enough" 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 17:5-10
• October 9-- Stewardship series: "Fall Into Grace" Part 2: "Your Faith Has Saved You!" 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19
• October 16-- Stewardship series: "Fall Into Grace" Part 3: "Never Lose Heart!" 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8
• October 23-- Stewardship series: "Fall Into Grace" Part 4: "Keep the Faith!" 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Thanks to everyone on the various teams making these and other plans fruitful. Just thinking from a worship perspective, I appreciate very much those who lead worship, from our liturgists to our liturgy writers to the staff who assume various roles each week. Thanks to those who keep our worship spaces clean and inviting, those who design, print, and fold bulletins, plus those who manage information on the screens and through the sound system. Thanks to those who lead singing and who join in singing (this includes the choir, our praise band, and everyone in the congregation). Worship is a team effort, and when it is successful good planning is often a part of the equation. After all, as the great theologian Soren Kierkegaard said, God, not the folk in the pews, is the audience for worship!