In the name of love....

U2 music as a way to celebrate Christ's love?  Sure, why not?  On Saturday, June 23rd I attended a special "U2charist" service (spirituality+justice+rock and roll) that was brought to Resurrection Lutheran by our fantastic intern, Vicar Ray McKechnie, who will be leaving us in a few weeks after a year of awesome service... sad :(

Vicar Ray McKechnie - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide  

The service was an inspiring combination of U2 music performed by our enthusiastic Resurrection Praise Team and messages about equality, justice, humanity and faith.  It was a service based around the Eucharist (hence the clever name) which is also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and had a very thought provoking message shared by the Reverend Dr. Dan Brunner, professor of Christian History, Formation, and Earthkeeping at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

The missions of the ONE campaign and Millennium Development Goals were shared and a free will offering was taken to benefit the Lutheran World Relief/Lutheran Malaria Initiative and local non-profits focusing on hunger, HIV/AIDS, and environmental sustainability including SnowCap Community Charities, Outgrowing Hunger, Cascade AIDS Project, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. 

U2charist - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide

The message from Rev. Dr. Dan Brunner and an audio clip of the Praise Team performing "Pride (In The Name of Love)" are available here for a limited time.

Please also check out Resurrection Lutheran Church's webpage as well for additional information about our ELCA based Lutheran church, our stewardship, ministries and events.