Worship Services at Emerald Crest
November 20, 2018
Worship Services at Emerald Crest
Loved Ones with Memory Loss, Family, Caregivers and Community: All Are Welcome!
The worship services at Emerald Crest are quite the time. They generally have the same content in terms of songs, scripture, prayers and Holy Communion. Even though the content is similar the services are all unique. Different people attend and bring their own flavor to the service. Worship is interactive and keeps me on my toes.
The Purpose of Worship
Worship has a variety of purposes. Worship at Emerald Crest, like many worshiping communities, focuses on celebrating resurrection of Jesus and our own eternal lives. It is a celebration of new life even though many of the attendees are much closer to the end of their earthly lives than the beginning. Eternal life is not something that begins at death. If we have eternal life, then we are already living that eternal life in spite of the mortality of our earthly bodies.
Participation in Communion
As I wrote, Holy Communion is always a part of our worship. Our attendees, come from a variety of faith backgrounds. As you might guess many are from Roman Catholic and Lutheran backgrounds. For the Roman Catholics Holy Communion has been a weekly and maybe even daily part of their lives as they attend Mass. For many Lutherans, Holy Communion was something celebrated once a month though many Lutheran churches in recent years have begun celebrating Holy Communion weekly. Baptists, Methodists, Evangelical Free, and other faith backgrounds also are part of the Emerald Crest Community and would have had various celebrations and beliefs about Holy Communion.
Familiar Rituals Bring Comfort and Joy
It is a wonderful thing for people to engage in this sacramental ritual that is so familiar. For many when they receive Holy Communion they say, “Amen” just before receiving. Others say, “Thank You.” But we get more responses than just that which are not typically heard in churches but do speak to the grace and wonder of the Body and Blood of Christ. Many people will exclaim, “Wonderful”, “Oh Yay!”, or similar shouts of joy. Not typical but very appropriate as we celebrate God’s gifts to us.
Sometimes people’s dementia can hinder them. But sometimes it also sets them free to speak without filter, to speak without fear of shame for exuberance, to speak truth about the Love of God that has been in their lives for so many years and continues regardless of age or cognition.
Emerald Crest Worship: Open to All
Worship is open to the community. Friends and family attend often. Worshiping together is something that people have done much of their lives and sharing God with their families has been and is so important to so many residents. If by chance, you are reading this and do not have a loved one at Emerald Crest our worship is open to you too.
Please contact me for any times and locations and we will see you at church!
Reverend Arlen Solem
Chaplain and Campus Pastor
For questions about our spiritual care program, or if you would like spiritual care and support for you or your loved one, contact Chaplain Arlen Solem at 612-554-6379 or apsolem@augustanacare.org.
At Emerald Crest, we offer a deep knowledge of memory care in a specialized assisted living setting for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions. We encourage you to contact us directly with any questions or request a tour.
Emerald Crest provides memory care in a unique environment, specifically designed to support those with cognitive issues. Utilizing this exceptional model of care, individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and related conditions can flourish in positive relationships and participation in meaningful activities. Memory care is offered in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area with communities in four convenient locations: Shakopee, Burnsville, Minnetonka and Victoria, MN.
