“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
Ecc 3:1, NRSV.
As of the time I’m writing this, we have a memorial service, a fifty year anniversary, graduations, and a retirement party all scheduled within weeks of each other and that doesn’t include a grand baby that is due soon, and the imminent death of a friend of the congregation. Life and death are happening all around us all of the time. We have loved ones in and out of the hospital with scheduled and surprise procedures, along with new diagnoses happening on almost a daily basis. Please notice that not all life changes are bad; retirements can be an exciting new lease on life, birthdays are mostly celebrations of joy, and most anniversaries celebrate long term relationships.
In the middle of all of that life happening, is God. On the Day of Pentecost we will celebrate the explosion of the Holy Spirit on all people. The following Sunday, The Holy Trinity Sunday, we celebrate that we serve one God in three expressions. As the season of Pentecost continues, it is anything but ordinary, as most churches label it. Ordinary time is traditionally a season of growth and spiritual maturity as we see God working through the ordinary days of our lives. Most of us would agree that Spring time is a wonderful season to remind us that God is constantly making all things new even when things never remain the same. Out of the dry and dormant foliage, life suddenly emerges and we are reminded once again that beauty may be discovered in unlikely places.
As we press on toward one of my favorite flower seasons, chrysanthemums, we have a lot of living and planning to do. Let us be diligent in our group evangelism efforts. We have much to offer in regard to spiritual renewal for people who may have slipped away during the covid crisis or any of our denominational struggles. Things have settled down now and we offer two great congregations for people who need time to heal, recover, or simply renew their spiritual relationship. We offer a strong sense of mission in regard to our community giving/outreach, and we have fun group fellowship opportunities. Together, we represent the best of what church can look like; ecumenical, cooperative, friendly, and loving. Should you have an inspiration for outreach, let us work together to create new interest in what God is doing in these ordinary days.
Peace,
Pr. Ernie +