Pastor Mark Bruesehoff opens his 2 p.m. service on Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church in Ocean City with a simple request: "Make noise ... and make it joyfully."
A small crowd in the church auditorium accommodates him with a chorus of triangles, maracas and other noisemakers.
The short exercise sets the tone for the Rejoicing Spirits service at St. John, a monthly worship gathering adapted to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"This service is meant to be comfortable," Glen Stewart tells the congregation. "No one is going to tell you to shush."
Stewart is one of the congregation members who helped bring Rejoicing Spirits to Ocean City in November 2012. Rejoicing Spirits started in 2003 with a mother from Lionville, Pa., who had a vision for a service that welcomed and included disabled children.
Stewart says the church spent the better part of a year researching, planning and visiting Rejoicing Spirits services in other churches.
Sunday's service in Ocean City starts not so promptly "on Rejoicing Spirits time" with congregants greeted with high-fives and hearty welcomes. The auditorium allows for easy access and, of course, for lots of "joyful noise."
The service follows the same liturgy and same message as the traditional services early in the day in the main church: "You are the light of the world. Shine wherever you are."
It includes scripture readings, a sermon and singing. But each element is adapted to include the audience. The "choir" features everybody who wants to come forward to make some noise. A short video clip helps illustrate the gospel theme.
Zach, Sophie and Nate Ginet clearly enjoy the the service. Zach has Down syndrome, and his mom, Pam, says they were happy to find Rejoicing Spirits a couple months ago.
Stewart said the monthly services at St. John are the only Rejoicing Spirits services in New Jersey, but he hopes to see other Ocean City churches participate, so the events could become weekly.
