Words in Preparation

Another week has passed and I have noticed this one has been a little stressful for me. I have a number of commitments this week, in addition to a scheduled clergy retreat. All the things I have planned are worthy and I am looking forward to them. But even worthy things stacked too high can end up feeling overwhelming.

This Sunday we continue our series on "Getting Acquainted with the Bible." We have moved through four Sundays so far, looking at Creation, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the wars, kings, and chronicles of the people of Israel through ancient times. I cannot imagine the strength of Hope those people must have held within them in order to survive some of the tragedies that befell them.

This week we get to share in that Hope. This week we turn to the New Testament (God is doing something new!) and explore the Good News--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How much more powerful does it feel to receive the message of Christ when God emerges to us from out of the struggle of the Old Testament. How much more amazing is it to have this reaffirmation of God's deep and abiding love for us. We, his crazy and undeserving people, are loved. God reaches out to us, all of us, and holds us close.

Come and join us this Sunday as we celebrate Jesus and the Good News he delivers.

If you are like me, you also carry a lot of stress. As my faith centers me, I hope that you also can find centering in God. So bring that stress to church with you, all of you is welcome before God, even the stressed bits. Perhaps especially the stressed bits! Take the opportunity to experience God. Prepare to let go of all the mechanics of life in order to reconnect with its meaning. Then re-enter the world with a new appreciation for what exactly this Good News really is.