SUMMERTIME WORSHIP

"Summertime and the living is easy. Fish are jumping and the cotton is high."

"Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer."

Each year around mid June, those words in two songs, one from the musical “Porgy and Bess” and the other, a popular tune from the 1960’s, get stuck in my mind. The songs remind me that summer is here! Maybe it goes back to our childhood experiences when summer meant no school and endless days of free time and play. But summer is usually looked at as time to be laid back. In summer many of us have vacation time or work a shorter week. In summer, we seem to have more time for friends and family. There is more opportunity, in summer, to do those things we Long Islanders love: swimming, boating, fishing or laying on the beach. For many, summer is a time for traveling, for new adventures and for discovering something new about our world. Even when we have to work, our attitude seems less frantic because it is summer.

Yes summer is a time to relax a bit. It is a time to enjoy God’s many blessings in our lives. Summer is a time to do new things, see new places, visit friends, or do nothing at all. As you think about how you will spend your lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, I remind you that summer is also a time to worship God.

In fact, summer may be the BEST time to worship God. For me summer provides more time for prayer and reflection. As I enjoy the slower days of summer, I am more open to discovering the wonders of God’s creation. The things I see all year long like the beach, the ocean, the country side, the mountains, speak to me of all the beauty that God has placed in this world. In those reflective days of summer, I identify with the 95th Psalm that says: “ . . . the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth and the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his and he made it; for his hands formed the dry land.” (Psalm 95:4-5)

In all that you do or don’t do this summer, take time to enjoy the beauty of creation and GIVE THANKS to God for all that you enjoy. MEDITATE upon God’s love in your life. BE IN PRAYER with the God who loves you and wants to be in communication with you. And of course, WORSHIP AT CHURCH REGULARLY during these weeks of summer. Join with your fellow Christians in celebrating this incredible life God has given to us.

To make summer worship more accessible, the Babylon United Methodist Church is offering an EARLY BIRD SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICE at 8:00 AM beginning June 27. This service is for all who want to spend time with God and then go out and enjoy those beautiful summer days. The traditional 9:30 AM SERVICE will continue throughout the summer. CHILD CARE for preschoolers and a SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL for children up to the 3rd grade will be provided to make worship more accessible for families. I do wish you a fulfilling summer, and I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday mornings. And yes, the sanctuary is air conditioned.

RFL