Sunday in Ocean Park

The Temple at Ocean Park, a small community by the sea in southern Maine, is in its 125th season. Today, Peter Gomes, Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University, was the guest preacher. He greeted the congregation with, "It's Easter Sunday again in Ocean Park," recognizing that his annual guest appearances fill the Temple as if it were Easter. The Temple, a modest little church outside and a soaring place of worship inside seating up to a thousand people, had standing room only.
The Temple Bulletin says, "The purpose of the Ocean Park Association is to affirm the traditions and spiritual heritage of which we are heirs, through a summer assembly program where Christian worship, principles and ideals are at the focus; where diversity is celebrated and the dignity of all is embraced and respected; where the natural beauty of our seaside resort is conserved and enhanced; and where programs centered on religion, education, recreation and culture provide opportunities for individual growth and family enrichment."
In The Heart of Christianity, Rediscovering a Life of Faith, Marcus J. Borg writes, "In my judgement, the single most important practice is to be part of a congregation that nourishes you even as it stretches you." Peter Gomes' reading this morning, from Ephesians, says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We were nourished by his message.