- First it is a real gift to get to preach and to prepare to preach. This summer I have been preaching on the stories of Genesis and I spend my week with the events of these characters - Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac spinning around in my head. This week the sermon will be on the "Binding" of Isaac which is a tough story to think about in this day and age. A Father thinks God is telling him to sacrifice his son - his only son. And only at the last minute there is a "ram in the thicket." What does this story have for us today? THAT is what I think about this week. And I like it and hopefully, by Sunday, I will have something to share.
- It is a gift to be with old people - even older than me. Yesterday I visited with a couple who have not been able to come to church because he is being treated for bladder cancer. In September, they will celebrate 70 years of marriage - 70! And they are sweet and loving with each other as they shared stories of their life together. He calls her "honey" and gives her a kiss every morning.
- It is a gift to be with children. Vacation Bible School is this week and I got to take pictures and "ring the bell" between the events of the evening. There were 70 plus children and lots of caring and fun adults helping. The laughter and the smiles were really infectious and I just loved their energy and joy.
- It is a gift to be with people who are on the spiritual journey. I love it when someone shares a story about how God has revealed Godself to them. I am teaching a Sunday School on the spiritual pilgrimage and at the end one woman took me aside and told me how she heard God's voice when she was 11 years old. God said: "Go to church." She told her mother and they did and now 60 years later she is still going.
- It is a gift to see how people care for each other in a church. I served at this church 30 years ago and many of the people are still there. And during these years, they have worshipped together, cared for each other's family, and had many. many memories. There are friendships that develop because of this commitment to being part of this "organization" which we call the "body of Christ."
So, I am grateful for the gift of this summer of being a part time pastor in a very alive and loving community. It is bringing me immense joy and will move me into finding another community to be part of when this is over.
Yesterday at our little Wednesday worship we sang this song. One of my favorites. The line I like - is "she is his new creation." There really is nothing like a church that is alive - it is a new creation and I have been blessed by one this summer.
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
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