Let’s start this article with a little quiz. Please complete the following sentence:

Summer’s here, and the time is right for…

• Dancing in the street.
• Fighting in the street.
• Racing in the street.

If you answered a, b, or c, you were correct, depending on whether you’ve been listening to: a. Martha and the Vandellas; b. the Rolling Stones; or c. Bruce Springsteen. Despite the “street cred” (pardon the pun!) of all three artists, I wouldn’t recommend taking the advice of any of them. They’re all prescribing extremely dangerous summer pastimes.

Instead of taking it to the streets this summer, why not take it to church? St. Timothy, though always a special place, is particularly pleasant in the summer. Our parklike setting is especially nice during the warm months, and walks around the pond or over the Rainbow Trail offer meditative moments before or after worship.

Throughout the summer, the contemplative beauty of the Saturday evening service is enhanced by the setting sun shining through the Luther rose window. If you’re not a regular on Saturdays, summer is a wonderful time to try out this alternative worship opportunity.

Sunday mornings are special in the summer too. Starting on June 5 (and ending on September 4), we’ll have just one service, beginning at 9:30 am. Our liturgical setting switches on summer Sundays from Lutheran Book of Worship setting 2 to setting 5 in With One Voice. Setting 5 sounds great when accompanied by the piano, so, rather than playing the organ in the often sweltering choir loft, Caroline will be joining us downstairs as she tinkles the ivories during the summer months. The pleasant, melodic setting, coupled with the piano accompaniment, contrasts nicely with the more traditional liturgical music we use the other nine months of the year. It’s a wonderful change of pace and shouldn’t be missed.

Of course, if you’re away for the weekend, seek out a church close to your vacation spot. In many shore towns, summer is the church’s busy season, so things may be going full tilt in the congregation you visit. Bring me a worship bulletin, if you think of it; I always enjoy seeing what other congregations are doing. Just as God never takes a vacation from caring for us, so should we always seek opportunities to worship. Have a safe, restful, and faithful summer!

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay