Saturday, July 11
Worship

[Highlights | Business | Feature | Photo]

[Worship Bulletin | Sermon]

Annual Conference moderator James Beckwith preached for the opening worship service. Photo by Regina Roberts

MODERATOR SPEAKS FOR OPENING WORSHIP
“Alexander and Anna (Mack) counted the cost, surrendered all they had known, in order to follow Jesus faithfully,” said Jim Beckwith, Annual Conference moderator for the 300th Anniversary Conference in Richmond, Va.

Preaching before an opening night congregation already larger than many Annual Conference totals, Beckwith continued, “Like the apostle Paul they were beginning to realize that everything else was rubbish compared to gaining Christ.”

Alluding to his chosen text, Philippians 3:7-11, he noted that Paul, like many Brethren, had an impeccable faith pedigree, but considered everything else rubbish compared to being found in Christ. “We’d rather have Jesus rather than anything else in all creation.”

Radical discipleship means immersing everything in one’s life to God in the waters of baptism, including turning the other cheek. But, Beckwith said, radical discipleship can also bring real struggle into the church.

Beckwith cited three controversies that the Brethren are wrestling with: sexuality, relating to other religions, and mission philosophy. He listed scriptures quoted by both sides in these controversies, and concluded, “Both of these groups seek to be faithful to the scriptures as we understand them. I would like for you at to at least acknowledge that some on each side are earnestly seeking to follow Jesus and live out the teachings of scriptures.”

He concluded with three affirmations: he encouraged Brethren to make disciples of all people, to remember that everyone who comes into contact with Jesus will be reformed, and to recall that the Lord is the one who does the transforming, not us.

“I challenge you this week to consider your courage, your commitment to walk in the footprint of Jesus.”

-- Frank Ramirez is pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

The opening worship was held in the Richmond Coliseum. Photo by Regina Roberts	A procession of people carrying sheaves of wheat was part of the service. Photo by Ken Wenger
The Conference Choir sang for worship. Photo by Regina Roberts	Jonathan Emmons of Dover, Del., was the organist. Photo by Glenn Riegel
Leading worship were moderator James Beckwith (right) and moderator-elect David Shumate (left). Photo by Glenn Riegel	Family groups pose by the worship center fountain where the sheaves of wheat were placed. Photo by Regina Roberts
Representatives of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) were among those placing sheaves on the worship center. Photo by Glenn Riegel	A violin duet accompanied worship, played by mother-son duo Venona and Matthew Detrick. Photo by Regina Roberts
The three Annual Conference officers lit the worship candles. Photo by Regina Roberts	Music was provided by a variety of instruments and vocalists. Photo by Regina Roberts