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Cape Cod Church to Offer U2 Eucharist
BREWSTER, MA (August 1, 2006) - Cape Cod Covenant Church will be the first of the denomination’s congregations to celebrate a “U2 Eucharist,” which was written by an Episcopal priest and has received international attention.
The 90-minute service will be celebrated at 4 p.m. on August 13 and will begin with a shared meal, followed by worship. The service will follow the traditional communion service as outlined in The Covenant Book of Worship with all of the music being selections from U2 songs as appropriate. Songs will include: “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “Yahweh,” and “Pride” (In the Name of Love).
Also included will be the song “40,” the lyrics of which are drawn from Psalm 40: “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined and heard my cry.”
Paige Blair, the New England coordinator for Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, will preach a sermon entitled “What Can One Person Do?” The sermon will reflect the work done by the ONE Campaign and Bread for the World to help eradicate hunger, poverty and disease worldwide. The offering will benefit Covenant World Relief initiatives.
The “U2 Eucharist” – which can be quite loud - has gained in popularity across the country. At All Saints' Church in Atlanta, Georgia, organizers planned for 300 worshipers, but ultimately served 500 individuals. A Sunday evening service in Newark, Delaware, that normally attracts no more than 20 people drew more than 90.
Blair is on sabbatical and is writing a book about the special service’s popularity around the world. She has said that the special service at the Cape Cod Covenant Church probably will be included in the book, according to Kathleen O’Donoghue, who first contacted Blair about the possibility of doing the service at the Cape Cod church.
The music of the rock band U2 has long been recognized for its spiritual content, inspiring numerous articles and books, Blair notes. The band also has been praised for its commitment to fighting poverty and AIDS throughout the world.
The group’s spiritual roots reach back to the teen years of three members. Guitarist Dave Evans, drummer Larry Mullen Jr., and Bono (Paul Hewson) attended Bible studies together and were involved in a charismatic Christian group. At one point, the band considered becoming a “Christian band.” Bassist Adam Clayton does not consider himself a Christian.
To learn more about the special service, call the church staff at 508-385-2223.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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