#SardisPeace

Each Sunday morning at Sardis, our congregation passes the Peace of Christ. To the outside observer, this activity might look like a five-minute worship interruption: “It’s nothing but people saying ‘hellos’ they could have said if they’d gotten here on time!” Our forcefield worshippers might say, “Ugh, don’t make me do this! I just want to sit in reverent silence.”

So why do we pass God’s peace with one another?

At Sardis, passing the peace is a regular opportunity to acknowledge in a public way, the joy and comfort we feel in being among a community of believers. It’s not just a greeting. It’s saying that we see God in those around us, and we wish, earnestly wish those around us the peace and healing made available in God’s presence.

Our “peace” is always followed by a song of praise. In acknowledging God’s peace, we rejoice in how that peace washes over us. And then that joyful response is followed by our morning prayer. Buoyed by God’s peace, we share aloud our celebrations and concerns.

When we wish each other God’s peace, we give thanks for a world where God is present. We give thanks for a God who keeps us secure, even when we feel our most vulnerable. And we give thanks for sisters and brothers who help create God’s peace in the world.

In recent years, Sardis has expanded our peace to be a virtual one. Congregants often text, call, FaceTime, Tweet, Facebook, or send a postcard offering greetings of peace to Sardis community members and extended Sardis family who are absent. And many travelling Sardisians have posted peace selfies while on vacation. It’s been a great reminder that Christ’s peaceful presence extends beyond the four walls of our sanctuary. You can check out our virtual peace-passing with the hashtag #SardisPeace

It’s okay, you can still say “hello” before worship. And you can still stay in your forcefield of solitude for some of the worship service. But if you’ll give passing God’s peace a chance, you may just find you’ll receive it back in spades.

May the Peace of Christ be with you!