When Awe Becomes Prayer: Encountering God in the World Around Us

There is a moment most of us have experienced at least once. Standing at the edge of the ocean. Sitting beneath a tree whose canopy stretches wider than we expected. Holding something small in our hands, a shell, a stone, a single flower, and finding ourselves suddenly undone by its intricacy. For just a moment, the noise of ordinary life goes quiet, and we sense something vast and alive surrounding us.
We do not always recognize these moments as prayer. But what if they are among the most honest prayers we ever offer?

A Mountain, a Mother, and the Meaning of Oneness

Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, in her book "Heart of a Stranger," recalls a childhood hike with her mother. Partway up the mountain, before anyone was allowed to eat, her mother stopped the group and issued an instruction that seemed, to a child, a little absurd. Sit. Feel the wind. Feel the rock beneath you. Be one with the mountain.
Buchdahl and her sister exchanged skeptical glances. The idea seemed more poetic than practical. But she sat. She felt the smooth stone holding her body. She noticed the wind moving through her hair and through the branches above her at the same moment. She looked at the tree and recognized that the tree and the mountain were one. She looked at the snow and recognized that even something as temporary as snow belonged, in that moment, to the mountain entirely.
And then something shifted. She realized that if someone were looking at that mountain from a distance, they would see her too. She was part of what the mountain was, at least in that moment. She was not separate from it.
This realization opened a prayer she had recited her entire life. The Shema, the ancient Jewish declaration that God is one. As a child, she had understood this as a statement of superiority. Our God is the greatest. But on that mountain, she began to understand oneness differently. Not preeminence. Wholeness. Interconnectedness. The tree is distinct from the stone. The snow is distinct from the wind. And yet each belongs within something larger. Each is held within the life of a God whose oneness is not about ranking but about the profound unity of all that exists.

The Vineyard and the God Who Keeps Returning

This same tension between belonging and resistance runs through one of Jesus' most striking parables, found in Matthew 21, verses 33 through 46.
A landowner plants a vineyard with extraordinary care. He builds a wall to protect it, digs a wine press in anticipation of harvest, and constructs a watchtower so that danger can be seen from a long way off. Everything necessary for the vineyard to flourish is already in place. He then entrusts it to tenant farmers and goes away.
When harvest time comes, he sends servants to collect the fruit. The tenants beat them, kill some, and stone others. He sends more servants. The same thing happens. Finally, he sends his own son, reasoning that surely they will respect him. The tenants see the son coming and decide that if they kill the heir, they can claim the inheritance for themselves. They throw him out of the vineyard and kill him.
Jesus then asks the religious leaders listening to him what the vineyard owner will do. They answer immediately: he will destroy those wicked tenants and give the vineyard to others who will produce its fruit. They understand the logic of the story perfectly. What they fail to see is that they are living inside it.
What is remarkable about this parable is not the violence. It is the patience. The landowner sends servant after servant. Every act of betrayal is met with another outstretched hand, another invitation to return to the relationship that made life in the vineyard possible in the first place. God keeps reaching toward people even when people keep turning away. The servants come. Then more servants. Then the son himself. Each arrival is another opportunity. Each one is refused.
The religious leaders in the story have become so focused on controlling the vineyard that they can no longer see the one who planted it. Their grip on what they believe is theirs has closed them off to the very God who entrusted it to them.

The Stone That Became the Cornerstone

Jesus closes the parable by quoting from Psalm 118. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this, and it is amazing in our eyes.
These words carry enormous weight. The people who were dismissed, overlooked, or considered too ordinary to matter, fishermen, women, tax collectors, those who had been sick or sidelined, were precisely the people gathering around Jesus. They were the ones responding to the invitation the religious leaders kept refusing. God keeps finding people willing to say yes. And the result, every single time, is something that can only be described as amazing.

Making Room for Awe

Buchdahl's mother understood something that Jesus' parable also teaches. The way we inhabit the world matters. When we allow ourselves to be genuinely present to creation, to the stone beneath us, the wind around us, the life moving in the water below us, something begins to shift. The boundaries of self become a little more permeable. We begin to sense our place within something much larger than our own concerns and ambitions.
This is not passive. Awe changes us. It changes how we listen. It changes how we hold what we have. It changes how we see the person beside us and the stranger whose story is nothing like ours.
On this World Communion Sunday, people gather around Christ's table in places they will never see, praying in languages they do not understand. Different customs, different experiences, different lives. And yet one table. One God whose oneness is not about uniformity but about the breathtaking wholeness of a creation held together in love.
This week, find five minutes. Sit outside, or near a window, or beside a plant. Feel what supports your body. Notice the light and the air and the movement around you. Let the wonder of it draw you somewhere deeper.
You may find yourself feeling very small. And in that smallness, you may discover that you are not alone, that you have never been alone, and that the God who planted the vineyard and sent servant after servant and raised the rejected stone to the cornerstone has been reaching toward you all along.

The Lord has done this. And it is amazing in our eyes.

Wayne Augustine has recently passed away at the age of 77.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and brother in Christ, Wayne Augustine. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Wayne is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

As we prepare to celebrate Wayne's life, please leave your memories of him in the comments.

A celebration of life service will be held Monday October 5th, 2026 at 2:30pm at Venice United Church of Christ in the sanctuary, with a reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a contribution to the ministries of Venice United Church of Christ.

Cards for the family may also be mailed to:
Venice United Church of Christ
C/O Wayne Augustine
620 Shamrock Blvd. Venice, FL 34293

Sandy Barrie has recently passed away at the age of 85.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and sister in Christ, Sandy Barrie. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Sandy is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

As we prepare to celebrate Sandy's life, please leave your memories of Sandy in the comments.

Faith doesn’t have to stay inside the church walls. Traveling Theology on Tap is a new monthly gathering from Venice United Church of Christ designed to create space for good conversation, big questions, and real faith—all in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Each month, we’ll meet at a different local restaurant or brewery to enjoy food, beverages, and great company while exploring some of the tough questions many of us have wondered about: What happens when we die? Was Jesus real? Why is there so much evil in the world? Can I really trust the Bible? Pastor Barb will help guide the conversation, but this isn’t a lecture or a Bible study where you need to know all the “right” answers. It’s a place to ask questions, share perspectives, listen to one another, and talk openly about the things that actually matter. Whether you’ve been part of a church your whole life, are exploring faith, have doubts, or are simply curious, you are welcome at the table. Bring a friend, grab something to eat or drink, and join the conversation!  

When: Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm

Where: 3 Bridges Brewing 1765 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, FL

Sign up now using the link below

Theology on Tap Sign Up Form

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Venice United Church of Christ
620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice, FL 34293

“All God’s creatures great and small.”

Join us for a joyful afternoon celebrating the animals who bring so much love, companionship, and happiness into our lives! Venice United Church of Christ invites our congregation, friends, neighbors, and community members to our Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4 at 3:00 PM.

Bring your beloved pets—dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and animal friends of all kinds—for a special blessing as we give thanks for the wonderful creatures with whom we share God’s creation.

This is a community event, and everyone is welcome, whether you are a member of VUCC or simply looking for a meaningful way to celebrate your furry, feathered, or four-legged family members.

For everyone’s comfort and safety, we ask that pets be appropriately leashed, crated, or otherwise safely secured while attending.

We hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon of faith, gratitude, community, and plenty of wagging tails!

Please use the link below to sign up for this event
Blessing of the Animal Sign Up Form

Clark Moore has recently passed away at the age of 90.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and brother in Christ, Clark Moore. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Clark is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

As we prepare to celebrate Clark's life, please leave your memories of Clark in the comments.

Clark Moore Obituary

Eleanor Muriel Langley Reed, of Dover, New Hampshire, passed away on July 28, 2026 at the age of 92.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and sister in Christ, Ellie Reed, on July 28, 2026. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Ellie is now resting secure in that inseparable love.

Please leave your memories of Ellie in the comments.

As a church family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time member and brother in Christ, Edwin P. LeBel, on July 14, 2026. While our hearts are heavy, we find our ultimate comfort in the unwavering promises of Scripture. We are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39, which assure us that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We rejoice in the certainty that Ed is now resting secure in that inseparable love. As we prepare to celebrate his life, we invite you to read the details of his legacy below.

Following is the obituary as posted by the funeral home:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edwin P. LeBel, who left us on July 14, 2026. Born on December 19, 1946 in Barton, VT, Ed was a devoted father, brother, and friend who lived a life dedicated to his loved ones and his work. He grew up in Grafton MA, and then moved to Sanbornton, where he and his wife Kathy raised their family. He later wintered in Nokomis FL, before moving to Barnstead to live with family for the past 10 years.

Ed was a proud graduate of Champlain College and Western New England College, and spent many years as an accountant and auditor with the State of New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. Beyond his professional life, he was a long-time member of the Sanbornton Congregational Church and the Doric-Center Masonic Lodge in Tilton, where he created many lasting friendships.

He is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Tedcastle and her husband Brian of Barnstead NH, and Christine Skloss and her husband Jason of Placitas NM, as well as his two grandchildren, Christopher and Benjamin Tedcastle. Ed also leaves behind 2 brothers, Kenneth Darling and his wife Donna, and Ronald Darling and his wife Mikina.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife; Kathleen (Whittemore) LeBel and his parents; Edwin A. and Suzanne (Lagace) LeBel.

A celebration of Ed's life and masonic service was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Tower Hill Cemetery in Sanbornton.
In the days and months to come, we will keep his memory alive in our hearts and share stories of all the good times over the years. Rest in peace, Ed. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Welcome to Beyond Sunday Morning, the official blog of Venice United Church of Christ!
Faith isn’t meant to be something we experience only for an hour on Sunday. It is something that walks with us into our homes, our workplaces, our relationships, our celebrations, and even our struggles. That’s the heart behind this new blog.
Here you’ll find reflections on Scripture, thoughtful conversations about what being ‘faith-filled’ looks like, stories from our church community, practical encouragement for everyday life, and occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into the ministries that make our congregation so special. We’ll also explore some of life’s biggest questions with honesty, curiosity, and grace, trusting that God welcomes our questions just as much as our certainty.
Whether you’ve been part of Venice United Church of Christ for years, you’re new to our community, or you’re simply searching for a place to grow spiritually, we’re glad you’re here.
Our hope is that Beyond Sunday Morning becomes a place where faith continues long after worship has ended—a place to reflect, learn, be encouraged, and discover how God’s love is present in everyday moments.
Thank you for joining us as we begin this new chapter together. We invite you to visit often, share posts with others, and continue the conversation. After all, church isn’t just something we attend on Sundays—it’s a way of living, loving, and growing together every day of the week.
Welcome to Beyond Sunday Morning. We’re so glad you’re here.

A Legacy of Faith and Service: Honoring a Pillar of Our Church Community
Our church family is deeply mourning the recent passing of one of our most dedicated, long-term members, Lowell Wentworth. Lowell entered eternal life on June 26, 2026. For decades, Lowell's presence was a constant source of strength, wisdom, and warmth. While we grieve this profound loss, we also find comfort in celebrating a remarkable life. Lowell leaves behind an enduring legacy that will shape our congregation for generations to come.

A Visionary Leader of Change
True devotion to a church means working to ensure its future. Lowell understood this deeply. An an incredibly active member, he never hesitated to step forward when the church needed leadership. Over the years, Lowell instituted numerous necessary changes and structural improvements that modernized our ministry and enhanced our fellowship. Whether spearheading vital facility upgrades or organizing/suggesting new programs, his forward-thinking approach kept our community vibrant, safe, and welcoming to all.

Loved By All
Beyond his impressive lists of achievements, it was Lowell's character that truly defined him. He was a man who led with love, kindness, and humility. He possessed a rare ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. His infectious spirit lifted our Sundays, and his wise counsel guided us through seasons of challenge. Lowell was, quite simply, loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

An Enduring Legacy
The physical changes Lowell brought to our campus are plain to see. Yet, his truest monument is the loving spirit he instilled in our church culture. He modeled what it means to be a servant-leader. He showed us how to embrace growth while holding fast to our foundational faith.

As we gather in worship, we see Lowell's handiwork everywhere. Venice United Church of Christ is undeniably a better, stronger, and more loving place because of his presence. We extend our deepest prayers to his family, and we pledge to honor his memory by carrying his legacy of love and service forward.

Special Acknowledgement from Pastor John Fairless
I met Lowell during my first term as Interim Pastor at VUCC in 2019. He was still on active duty recording the video for the services, and always impressed me with his diligence and planning. Both he and Alice were still actively attending in those days and my Sunday was always brighter for having the chance to speak with them. During my second term, I visited with Lowell and Alice shortly before her passing. Though communication was difficult with Lowell's loss of hearing, the same gracious spirit came through in the form of written notes we shared. Again, I left encouraged and could only hope that they received some portion of that same encouragement. Venice United Church of Christ is a better place because of the presence of Lowell and Alice Wentworth!

Please leave your memories of Lowell in a comment, so that we as a church community can come together to celebrate Lowell's life.

A Memory of Lowell Wentworth From Barb Quinn
In June 2002, Bob (my late husband) and I attended worship at VUCC for the first time.  We still had 3 more years left to work before retirement, but we had bought a condo at the Plantation in Venice with the idea of renting it out before we retired here as snowbirds.  We thought we would check out the local UCC while we were here working on the condo.
It was a low-attendance (quite low back then) summer Sunday, the minister was on sabbatical, and a quartet of handbell ringers provided some special music.  We sat in a pew with only one other occupant…Lowell Wentworth.  (Alice Wentworth was one of the ringers, so she was sitting elsewhere that day.)
Immediately upon the closing of the worship service, Lowell came over to us, introduced himself, told us about the recent renovation of the front of the sanctuary (to the way it looks now), and invited us on a tour of the 4 main buildings.  He was obviously very proud of being a VUCC member, and I believe he was the head of the renovation project, or maybe deeply involved in it. 
After the tour, Lowell took us to Fellowship Time in Naar Hall and introduced us to David and Caryl Duffy and Russ and Edie White.  Everyone was so friendly and genuinely glad to visit with us that we were hooked.  We knew that we had found a church home for our future retirement.
If Lowell had not approached us right after the worship service, we would have left immediately just as any other “new people” would do.  We most likely would have returned for another service in the future, but not with the same feeling of belonging that we carried with us from that day’s experience.  Lowell was the catalyst, and the rest is history.