By Linda Johnson

Dancers from Zumbro Lutheran Church. Photo by Karen Surprenant.

“Go get some gray hair, then come back to do God’s work.” That’s what the Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota heard, or felt he heard, as he felt the call to serve God at a young age.

Bishop Prior, who brought the message during Saturday morning’s worship, realized early on that “God wanted me to use my gifts.” Too often, we limit ourselves in using our talents for the ministry of sharing the Good News. God wants to equip us, and we need to “leave room for the Holy Spirit to move in our midst,” he said.

We live in a “yes, but” world, instead of a “yes, and” world. Sometimes, the bishop reflected, we get so caught up in the process, we lose sight of the mission. “You are being invited by God into mission. Each and every member has been bestowed with gifts for ministry to engage in missions.”

The dancers and the overhead camera view. Photo by Karen Surprenant.

Young dancers from Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester shared their talent during the singing of the Litany for the Healing of the Nations. They performed upon a map of the world placed on the floor. Worshipers experienced the effect via an overhead view displayed on the projection screens in the front of the assembly.

Following worship, advocates for the Book of Faith initiative helped with the reading from the Gospel of Mark. As the story was read of Jesus in the boat during the storm, the congregation became sound effects of wind, waves, sleep, and Jesus’ questioning of ‘why.’

The global music musicians who performed Friday night led the music Saturday morning. Photo by Karen Surprenant.