“I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?” Psalm 121:1
Dear Friends,
This is a wonderful congregation! I do not say this lightly. I knew when I came here four years ago, this church had much going for it. It is not just the buildings and grounds; it is the people. Over these past years people have come and people have gone. This is the normal cycle of life. Still when those who have become our friends and family leave us for whatever reason, their departure leaves an open place in our hearts.
There are those who remember the good old days when we had lots of people filling our sanctuary and classrooms. It is true that we are not great in numbers as we used to be, but our heart and our desire to serve is bigger than life itself. What assures me is that if we plant and water, there is always the hope that God will bring the growth.
In the meantime, we keep on keeping on, knowing that God will provide.
A telling sign of God’s provision were the people who made Vacation Bible school possible this year. We had just what we needed to make this a successful eve for our children. Yet it was bittersweet because one of our families is leaving for Alaska.
Christian, Mary, Isaac, and Quinn are taking a road trip of their own to start a new adventure. Of course, we wish them well and look forward to hearing about how this new journey is going for them. And from time to time, they will visit us. Our door will always be open.
During VBS, we sang about how God is always with us. A long time ago a pastor thought that was a scary thing to tell children. When we know that God is also watching us, it could make us a bit uncomfortable. Remember, God already knows us inside and out and so nothing we might do or say should surprise God in anyway. Even Jesus promises us that he will be with us until the end of time. And so, our faith assures us that whether we are traveling during the summer or making a new home in a far-off place, God goes with us.
We wish all those traveling safe journey, knowing that when they return, we will be waiting to greet them. I want to close this with the rest of Psalm 121. Something I hope that all those traveling and relocating will recite as they go out:
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6
The sun shall not strike you by day
nor the moon by night.
7
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
May God watch over us in all our comings and goings.
I thank God for you,
Pastor Kathy
“A people is an assemblage of reasonable beings bound together by a common agreement as to the objects of their love, so in order to discover the character of any people, we have only to observe what they love.” -- St Augustine’s City of God.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
History Matters
“{Jesus} withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ’Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:41-43
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 (NRSVUE)
“Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:2-4)
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14
A Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13
“But the angel said to her, “ Do not be afraid , Mary; you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30.
“Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by the hand and kept you, a light to the nations, “ (Isaiah 42:5-6 NRSVYE)
