Newsletter article for June 2016

“You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”

                                                                                  -- Psalm 30:11-12

            I had a Baptist friend who loved music, and even played in a musical group.  He told me he was a “dancing Baptist,” because his congregation allowed dancing, while for some others in our town it was forbidden.  That always seemed strange to me, since dancing is mentioned in the Bible as a way to praise God (Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4).  King David also danced with abandon when the ark was returned to Jerusalem, but not everyone thought that was appropriate (2 Samuel 6). 

            When music moves through you and the rhythm sets your body moving, like singing, like praying, this can be a form of praise.  God has set heartbeats in his creatures, and the pulse of the seasons turns over again and again, year by year in the ever-new dance of nature.  Planets dance around the sun, as the whole universe is set in motion praising God.

            Maybe you don’t dance.  Maybe you’re not even a big fan of music.  Maybe, but your still invited to come praise God with us at our DJ Dance Party/Family Retreat up at Luther Springs camp this August.  If you’ve never been to Luther Springs, this is a great opportunity to check it out.  Lots of people have cabins up north they love to get away to – Luther Springs is your cabin up north.

            Located between Ocala and Gainesville, Luther Springs is an off-the-beaten-path retreat center for youth and adults. You can bring a tent or RV, but more often people take advantage of the comfortable accommodations, including five air conditioned cabins as well as eighteen hotel style rooms. There are trails, a pool, an archery range, outdoor worship and meditation areas, and a beautiful lake.  The camp director, Miss Sarah, welcomes us with a big smile and a warm country accent.  And did I mention that the food is tasty and abundant?

            Luther Springs has meant a lot to us at Atonement over the years.  The first year I arrived in Florida, we had a family retreat there that we called “A Whole New Ball Game.”  25 people – singles, couples and families – went up for the weekend that year.  I remember swimming, shooting with bows and arrows, and watching a great big Gopher Tortoise peek out of its den.  We played all kinds of games, including a baseball game with a giant inflatable ball, and at the closing worship service that Sunday, we all signed a baseball bat to signify our commitment to “staying in the game” and supporting Atonement.

            Over the years we had more family retreats.  On our “Spring Safari” retreat we watched the Lion King, and went out in teams to see what curiosities we could bring back to share.  On our “Cruise Ship” retreat, we had passports that were stamped as we completed various activities.  Members have also gone up to some of Luther Springs’ special events.  Atonement members have attended a spa weekend for ladies called God’s Spa, as well as “Grands” weekends for grandparents and their grandkids.

            One of our members, Alex Lenz, loved the camp so much he became a counselor at Luther Springs.  Once when the council was up at Luther Springs for a planning retreat, Alex treated us to a private hay ride around the camp, including some of the back trails I’d never seen before.  There at Luther Springs, Alex met a camp counselor named Rachel who would become his wife.  Their first child, Charles Richard, was born this past April.

            So you can see what an important place Luther Springs is to our Atonement church family.  We hope you will be able to join us there August 19-21 for some fun and fellowship at our “DJ Dance Party” family retreat.  We will explore the importance of music in the Bible and give everyone a chance to share their favorite music.  More
 information will be available as we get closer to the date, and signup sheets will be posted in the entryway at church.  I hope you will join us and take this chance to discover God’s love and praise him in a new way.  Come enjoy some time away this summer at your cabin up north.

Peace,

Pastor Scott