Sunday Worship8 & 10 am
My office is covered with fluorescent sticky notes. On the desk, stuck in the pages of books, and up and down the wall, there are countless 3” x 3” colorful squares holding lists, names, numbers, words, tasks, ideas, prayers, and other random scribbles and scrabbles of life. Everywhere I look, these little, bright visual cues remind me of someone to call, a plan to explore, or ways to be grateful.
It’s not every day that you hear a kid say “I want to be a politician when I grow up!” As strange as it may sound, I was that kid. Throughout high school, and especially grade school, I remember running for leadership positions in my class. As just a little guy, I remember election day, wearing a patriotic tie with gel slicking my hair back.
Although at times I probably wanted to represent the class for all the wrong reasons, I still like to think that helping others was somewhere at the heart of those youthful days. Thankfully, I have grown out of that phase. Today, I cannot even fathom ever wanting to go into politics, however that same calling to serve others propelled me into the ministry.
God challenges us to love with reckless abandon, see the best in others, and celebrate the gifts, talents, and contributions of all people. God invites us to live as people of hope!
I recently went to a big box home improvement store and was more disoriented than usual. A short walk through the main entrance set me on a holiday parade unlike any I’ve ever seen.
Right inside the front doors, I was in the land of pumpkins and scarecrows, ghosts and headstones, spiders and even an 8-foot tall, lighted Darth Vader yard inflatable. Just a few steps later, I took a trip to Pilgrimville, surrounded by a floor to ceiling display of turkey-shaped items, autumnal decor, and a cornucopia centerpiece bulging with plastic gourds, corn, and feathers. Not to be outdone by these two “minor” holidays, the rest of the seasonal featured area was populated with a virtual forest, complete with artificial evergreens, sparkling lights, and glistening bows of every size and color.
As I get settled into the worship community, lots of good conversations have led to exploring the differences between being a pastor and an intern. One way to approach this difference is to become accustom to the candidacy route that someone undergoes to become a pastor.
If you have ever brushed your dog in the summertime, you know that the hair never stops. Brush after brush, the hair keeps coming. From nooks and crannies unknown, the brush fills up one swipe after another. Yes, I know that there are dogs that don't shed. Yes, I am aware that if we didn’t have a dog, then we wouldn’t have the problem of hair on the wood floors, couches, black clothes, etc. But the reality of my back porch during August brushing experiences is a flurry of endless hair. Enough!
It is with sincerest gratitude that I extend a “thank you” to everyone within the Lord of Life community. This congregation has far exceeded my expectations of what the first few days of internship would look like. The new office looks amazing and I, along with hopefully many interns to follow, are so very grateful. I recognize and deeply appreciate all the effort that has been put forth to make my transition a great experience. By inviting me into your sacred space, you have perpetuated the notion that “all are welcome,” which I quickly gathered is a vital piece of defining Lord of Life. You have revealed a commitment to education by investing your time, effort, and resources in a seminarian. Throughout my service at Lord of Life, I hope to continue a “student” mindset, as I learn how to be God’s Church from all of you, my teachers.
As I have been meeting new people and shadowing Pastor Lowell these past few days, I am overjoyed with all the new beginnings that Lord of Life has on its horizon. So many people are filled with positive energy and great ideas. I see their expressions come alive as they talk about vision and possibility. I can relate well to this mentality; I feel like a racehorse awaiting the opening of the gates. I too, am ready to create, serve, give, and truly love all God’s children. The month of August may bring with it busy calendars and hectic mornings, but amidst the hustle and bustle comes an abundance of opportunity.
Summer camp has always been filled with surprise, but the kids could not have imagined what was about to happen.
July 25, 1933, the traditions of wintry December happenings descended on a steamy wilderness experience. No, it didn’t actually snow, but The Washington Post notes that Camp Keystone, a camp in North Carolina, inaugurated the first “Christmas in July” event when they celebrated with a Christmas tree, gifts, and even a visit by Santa Claus on a hot summer night.
Since then, the concept has expanded into virtually every corner of North American society. Camps and parks use it as a catchy summertime theme. Stores and communities leverage the marketing and advertising scheme to draw in otherwise slumping seasonal crowds. Even our own West Chester EnterTrainment Junction advertises, “Beat the heat with Christmas cheer and a mid-year check-up with Santa.”
Christmas in July. It is a wacky concept juxtaposing winter carols, snowy evergreens, and tales of the North Pole with the blistering heat of mid-summer, but it works. Who doesn’t love the option of joy, hope, peace, and presents anytime?
While you might not celebrate Christmas in July in any formal way, there’s no denying that summer is loaded with gifts. Often, this season allows for family reunions and time together around campfires, outdoor projects, vacations to destinations near and far, or “staycations” where we find time for rest and relaxation without leaving home.
If we force ourselves to step back from the traditions and assumptions of the holiday shtick, we quickly realize that the heart of Christmas is the pure delight that refreshes us during these summer months, too. Like Mary and Joseph, we join a journey that is lacking in specifics. Like shepherds in the fields, we stand in awe and amazement about the great news of God coming among us. Like the magi and the barnyard animals, we offer ourselves to Jesus, trusting that he’ll use us for his purpose.
The gifts of Christmas are being shared in our faith communities this summer, too. God continually meets us in moments of worship and conversation together. Our Vacation Bible School declared over and over, “Jesus is the Light of the World,” as we explored new territories of faith. Office and narthex renovations renew gathering spaces to meet our changing needs, like when we create additional room for the Christ child to take up residence among us. We wait with eager anticipation for seminary student Lucas McSurley to land here mid-July to begin a two-year internship. At the end of the month, 20+ of our people will be heading to West Virginia to live and serve among those strangled by poverty.
Christmas is this July. Don’t miss it. God is with us. Immanuel continues to come. The gifts of the Christ child continue to surprise and amaze us. There may not be Christmas trees, mistletoe, and snowy sidewalks, but amazing and unexpected gifts continue to arrive daily.