The Galilean Service

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.” – Luke 5:1-3

Sunday evening was our church’s annual Galilean Service. This summer service is always held beside a large pond on the farm of a church member. The service usually involves hymn singing (acappella and/or with guitar accompaniment), Scripture reading, a solo or duet, the reading of a poem and a sermon by a guest speaker. Unlike Jesus’ delivery, the message is usually given on land (though I do remember one year a brave man climbing into a rowboat to give the message from the water!).

There’s nothing quite like a worship service in the open air beside a body of water, with the birds flitting about and the insects adding their praise to the Lord. And for the cherry on top, there’s ice cream afterwards. And homemade hot fudge, to boot.