Psalm 8
1O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded
a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
There have been some incredible sunsets in the last few weeks. At the end of the month there will be a full moon. Recently, as per its’ cycle, the moon has been playing hide and seek as there have been clear, partly cloudy and cloudy evenings and nights. Last month was a celebrated full moon, which at times during its’ cycle was covered with a thin layer of cloud and mist, mysterious, evasive- yet you knew it was there. The hope and promise of its’ appearance was ever present. I had faith even as it was cloaked in mystery that it would be there again- soon and very soon- and I wasn’t disappointed.
There are times when certain things in our lives (physical, spiritual, emotional, material) l seem clear, then misty, then partly cloudy, then encased in clouds or fog- but with patience and waiting we begin to see more clearly and with patience and hope we move forward knowing that indeed God abides with us and has, in fact, never left us. We are blessed as God’s people to have the scriptures, scriptural inspired hymns, poems, and stories that guide us through those times when it is cloudy or partly cloudy; until once again we see clearly that mystery we hold on to: God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
As a congregation, a gathering of people and individuals, that is what we are about. We are “about” Jesus Christ--the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus Christ who freely gives of himself in love, mercy, grace and forgiveness. This is something that NEVER changes.
Other things do change. As a congregation you have witnessed changes in your congregation over the past couple of years. Some bring sorrow and sadness (death, funerals, departures), some bring joy and celebration (baptisms, weddings, fellowship, seeing and hearing young children/youth). Some familiar faces are gone, new faces of visitors and the newly baptized appear. Some activities have disappeared; others have emerged. That is the cycle of life within the church.
Like any cycle there has been despair or joy, as a congregation you do not allow feelings to define who and whose we are. You are a resilient people of God- we are called to the task of mission and ministry. You have witnessed within this congregation the teamwork of worship, children’s ministry, quilt ministry, hospitality ministry, beautiful property that is welcoming and user-friendly. You have served everything from salads to waffles, you have open doors so other organizations can serve this community. You provide a children’s ministry (G.I.F.T.) that “looks different” than the “Sunday School” many grew up with. This is the “Church” growing in a different way.
What you have is a gift. It is not of your own making, this we really need to remember: “it” is NOT about us…it is about listening to God and where God is calling us to serve. Like the moon, and it’s creative dance through life and seasons, God’s message can be clear as a bell, and at times one struggles with “partly cloudy” paths that are hard to discern. BUT be mindful and grateful that we are sent people. We are sent to places of work, recreation, volunteerism and home to be revealers through Word and deed: God abides with us as we go about GOD’S WORK- (with) OUR HANDS.
Yours In Christ, as we move forward in the life of this faith community and the world around us.
Pastor Carol
