Worship crosses barriers of language, customs
12/4/2011
It has long been the vision of Still Waters United Methodist Church that all believers can and should worship together because of our one common bond, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Spirit and presence were felt on October 15 during the first Multicultural Celebration at Still Waters UMC, sponsored by the Office of New Church Development. Each person there wore traditional attire from his or her home country.
After a welcome by Rev. Carole Hulslander, pastor of Still Waters, a processional featured flags from countries represented by the attendees. Worship songs were sung in Spanish, Korean, Bemba and English. Saint Timothy UMC provided special music with Hindi songs. Rev. Juan Quintanilla, Associate Director of New Church Development, delivered an inspiring sermon on breaking down walls – barriers preventing us from worshipping together – by the power of the Holy Spirit. He stressed the importance of loving as our Lord has called us to do.
Rev. Tommy Willingham invited everyone to take communion, stating: “This is the Lord’s Table, and it is open to everyone.” Atlanta-Emory District Superintendent Dana Everhart and Rev. Willingham, executive director of the Office of New Church Development, were assisted in serving communion by people of different nationalities.
After the service, worshippers enjoyed food and dancing in the Praise Gallery Café. A group line dance to “Mighty God” lead off this celebration time, and participants enjoyed food from a smorgasbord of international.