Our current sermon series entitled Becoming Community has me thinking quite a bit recently about what it means to live in community. I realize this is not much of a surprise given the topic! Community takes different forms, and even church communities look quite different. There are differences in church communities based on geography, predominant ethnicity, size, denomination, and all sorts of other characteristics.

As I think about the churches in which I’ve participated over the years, I’ve also seen a difference in how one might become involved in those communities. In a smaller church you might only be a stranger once, while in a larger church it might feel as though you disappear into a sea. But the interesting thing is that beyond the environment, our own actions and initiative contribute to how we engage.

One thing I’ve learned pretty quickly is that in any church (and likely the same can be said for other communities), no matter how many programs we create or how much the church advertises or tries to connect, it takes some initiative for individuals to feel a part of the community. The opportunities are aplenty, but you can’t sit by and wait for community to come to you – it just doesn’t work that way.

I was talking recently with someone who had been attending Pinnacle for a while but did not know many people. And then they took a chance and attended an event where they met a few people. Once they met those people, they then started talking with some other folks – they made connections. Very quickly they felt a new sense of community … all because they went to one event.

I’ve also been impressed with our deacons who are leading our hospitality time after worship. Recently, I learned that they’ve reached out to newer members to help serve so that they could meet new people! And what a joy it has been for them! I’ve lightheartedly said that I’ve met more people at church cutting fruit in a kitchen than just about any other way.

I’ll be a little more blunt. You will never find community at church if you don’t try. It won’t find you, and church isn’t a passive experience. The good news is that we are here to help connect you! Our pastors and program staff are always ready to help connect you with others and with ways to meet new people. And we love doing it!

The beauty of becoming community is that God uses our relationships with one another to help us grow in faith, find comfort on the journey, and learn more about ourselves and the God we worship. Becoming community is being the church and living as the Body of Christ. I pray that you’ll find joy in growing closer to others at Pinnacle, however you might do so.

This July I went to San Francisco for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Over the years the conventions have become one of my favorite ways of reconnecting with friends and colleagues, and making new ones. I spent five full days immersed in church, organ and choral music. I participated in workshops and lectures on a variety of topics: improvisation, body awareness, fresh worship ideas, concert programming, music by underrepresented composers, choral and vocal rehearsal techniques, and many others. 

I listened to exciting concerts in quite memorable venues: Grace Cathedral, St. Ignatius Church on the USF campus, numerous Presbyterian Churches (Calvary, Lakeside and Old First Pres in SF, First Pres in Oakland, St. John’s Pres in Berkeley), as well as Memorial Church in the heart of Stanford University. The San Francisco Bay Area is full of architecturally impressive houses of worship with quality music programs and pipe organs in them. 

The SF culture was also seen through the multitude of worship experiences which were offered: Jewish worship in a historical Temple of Congregation Sherith Israel in SF (seen on the cover photo of this article); Roman Catholic worship in the church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Oakland; Episcopal worship at the Grace Cathedral; and African-American worship at the Third Baptist Church of SF. 

The latter was led by passionate musicians, a preacher, and a small but mighty choir. The energy in the room created by an explosive combination of word and music was palpable, and we all eagerly participated. You can get a small taste of the service in the video below. 

If you have never experienced what it is like to be in a church filled with organists and music directors who sing hymns with all their hearts and souls (and skills!), you are missing out on one of the most transformative worship experiences of your life. 

But don’t fret! :) You will have a chance to experience it quite soon and close to home. In June 2025 the Phoenix chapter of the AGO is organizing the regional convention. Pinnacle will host an organ recital on our fabulous Sanctuary organ and the opening worship service of the convention. This will be your chance to come and join the best choir of all - experience the hymnody of the church in the most powerful way! 

Meanwhile, enjoy a short snippet of the African-American worship service I took this July in San Francisco - the ending of Stephen F. Key’s Anthem “Thank You for Hearing Our Prayer”:

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, is more than an architectural masterpiece; it is a profound expression of the personal faith and visionary genius of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. Born in 1852 in Reus, Catalonia, Gaudí was deeply influenced by his Catholic faith, which permeated his work and life. His commitment to this grand basilica, knowing he would never see its completion, highlights his unwavering devotion and spiritual vision.

Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883, dedicating the remainder of his life to this monumental task. From the outset, Gaudí understood that the Sagrada Família was a generational endeavor, one that would span far beyond his lifetime. This knowledge did not deter him; instead, it fueled his passion and dedication. Gaudí’s vision was for the basilica to serve as a living testament to Christian beliefs, with every element of its design reflecting his deep religious convictions.

Gaudí’s personal faith is evident in every aspect of the Sagrada Família. He meticulously planned the basilica to narrate the story of Christianity through its architecture. The Nativity façade, which Gaudí completed during his lifetime, is adorned with intricate sculptures depicting the birth of Christ, showcasing his belief in the divine beauty of creation. Each detail was thoughtfully crafted to convey religious symbolism, from the ascending spires representing the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and Jesus Christ, to the play of light through the stained-glass windows designed to inspire spiritual awe.

Inside, Gaudí envisioned the basilica as a forest of columns, symbolizing the natural world as God's creation. The interior's ethereal atmosphere, created by the filtered light through vibrant stained glass, is intended to elevate the spirit and reflect the heavens on earth. Gaudí often said, "My client is not in a hurry," referring to his belief that he was working for God and eternity.

Even after his tragic death in 1926, Gaudí’s faith-driven vision continued to guide the construction of the Sagrada Família. His detailed plans and models have ensured that future generations of architects and builders can carry on his legacy. The project is funded by private donations and the millions of visitors who come to witness this ongoing marvel, with a completion date set for 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudí's death.

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família stands as a profound symbol of Antoni Gaudí's faith and dedication. It is not just an architectural wonder, but a testament to the spiritual devotion and visionary foresight of a man who saw his work as a divine mission, transcending the boundaries of his own lifetime to create a lasting legacy of faith and beauty.

It’s hard to believe that it was just a month ago that Pastor Leah Quarles and I began our journey to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago, in Spain. We will be sharing about this pilgrimage on Sunday, August 18, at 9am, between our two Sunday morning services. Leah has already had a chance to write a bit about her experiences a couple of weeks ago. As I reflect back on the trip, there are a few encounters that gave me greater pause to reflect than others. 

On the morning of the first day of walking, Leah and I were supposed to meet up with the other 14 of our group and have breakfast with them. But when we got to the breakfast room in our hotel, there were no seats available with our group. Fortunately, an elderly German couple waved us over to sit with them, at the last two seats available in the place. Their names were Petra and Dieter. They told us that they were both 80 years old and that they walk a portion of the Camino every year. They were sweet and welcoming. They asked us about our lives and what we did for a living. They were happy to say that they have a son who lived in the US for a while, and that they had visited the US many times. They spoke wonderful English, which made up for my halting German. The entire encounter was one of hospitality and genuine sharing. 

Not all encounters were of this nature along the Camino, though most were. 

At one point, on the fifth day of walking, I found myself alone for a stretch. Along the way, I passed some people and some people passed me, and at most of these passings one would say, “Buen camino!” [A good way!]  At one of these moments, a man in his 60s was passing me, and after the usual exchange of greetings, I asked him, “Habla Espanol?”  He said, “No, I speak English.” From the accent I assumed he was from the UK, and so I asked him, “Are you British?” He said, “No, I am Welsh; though, I have lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years. Where are you from?” I told him, “I’m American, and I live in Arizona. I have some ancestors who are Welsh, though most are English.”  He then replied, “You do know that the Welsh and English are not the same?” “Yes, I do.” Then he asserted, “No, I doubt you do know.” Puzzled by this, I became to explain that, yes, I do know that the United Kingdom is made up of four separate parts. But he interrupted me and said, “I’m really sure that you don’t know the difference.” Then to show that I did know, I quickly reviewed the history of the United Kingdom beginning with the invasion of Celtic Britain by Caesar Augustus in 54 BC, through the invasion of the Roman Britain by the Anglo-Saxons around 400 AD, then the Viking and Norman invasions, and how all this affected the Celtic peoples of Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.

After this, he admitted, “Well, it’s clear that you know something. I am surprised that someone from Arizona would know anything about history, especially with regard to Europe.

Ouch. Did he just say that? I didn’t take the bait. 

He then asked, “What do you do for a living that you know so much?” 

“Well, I was a teacher…”    

“That explains it then.” As if there were no possible reason someone from Arizona (read: America) would know anything about European history.

Right about then I came upon a couple of my travel companions who had stopped for a brief respite. I said, “Well, here are some of my friends. I wish you a good camino!” And we parted. 

Even though I never saw this man again along the way, I kept thinking about him, and how his bias showed through in such a way that he couldn’t see me in any other way than what he had preconceived. Yes, I was mildly offended, and I had to laugh it off. 

What I was reminded of ultimately, though, is that we all are revealing our biases and assumptions in what we say. When we meet people, we too quickly jump to conclusions about who they are, what they believe, and what they represent. 

This brief encounter on the camino became for me a cautionary tale. We know the old adage, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” This is true for us who seek to represent Christ-like love and acceptance in the world. I am reminded by this to assume the best of each person, to say, as what those folks in the Gospel of John who say to Philip, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” 

I now wish I could have walked further with this stranger on the camino, that as we both walked this pilgrim way, we could have discovered Christ in each other. The beauty of Christian community is that we have ongoing relationships with one another that, God willing, over time, we come to see Christ more and more dwelling in each other. 

As a closing note, later that evening, I discovered that Petra and Dieter, whom we had met on the first day, were staying at our same hotel. It was like meeting old friends, and my heart was glad. A little bit of hospitality goes a long way…along the way.

“Let’s take a field trip!” I exclaimed in the middle of Sunday school. The students looked at me curiously and slowly stood up. “Where are we going?” they asked. I told them that Vacation Bible School started tomorrow and I wanted everyone to see the beautiful decorations in the Fellowship Hall, and once we looked at everything, we had a very important job. They “ooh-ed” and "ahhh-ed" as we walked around the space exploring the coral reefs, the ocean waves, and the seaweed wall. We talked about how much fun we were going to have and that they were going to be ambassadors at VBS for all the kids who don’t come to our church on Sundays. We talked about how to be welcoming and kind to newcomers and how important it is to show God’s love. The kids were psyched! 

Next, I told them that our big job was to pray right then and there. We got into a circle in the middle of Fellowship Hall and we prayed popcorn style. One by one the kids volunteered a prayer for Vacation Bible School. Their prayers wow’d me. They prayed that their new friends would feel God’s love and would love coming to VBS. They prayed for new friends to come to Sunday school after VBS ended. They prayed hard and they prayed with unquestioning faith that God was listening and was about to do great things! 

The following Sunday, we had many new kids join us for church school. At the end of the lesson, I asked the kids if they remembered their prayers from the Sunday before. I reminded them that they prayed for new friends to join us, and here in the room were a bunch of new friends! Faces lit up as the realization hit that God answered their prayers! God is so good. 

God showed up in big ways throughout our entire week of Vacation Bible School. The God sightings rolled in at our Fin-Tastic Finale each day as those at VBS saw God in a multitude of ways. The God sightings continued in church on Sunday as the congregation noted so many of their own glimpses of God’s goodness in their lives.

My greatest God sighting and answered prayer for the week came as God provided so many adult volunteers and not just any volunteers, but the right volunteers for the jobs we needed. An amazing assistant VBS director came forward. The women’s Tuesday Bible Study and 2 different parent groups faithfully prepared decorations, donated supplies, and lent out their own scuba gear.  A professional paper crafter showed up, an art teacher volunteered, and a wonderful man of God came to lead games. One faithful follower of God showed up every morning the week before VBS began and simply asked, “What can I do?” She did everything from submarine designing to hot gluing pool noodle fish on grass hula skirting. 

What surprised me the most, was that many came with no experience and rocked it out of the park! They stepped out in faith and answered God’s call to provide a loving church community for the children. What a gift and a blessing these beautiful people were as we swam through the coral reefs at VBS prepared and equipped. God is so good.