Sunday Worship8, 9:30 & 11 am
It won’t be long until things return to normal. If you’ve been living out of a suitcase and traveling during these weeks, the coming days will see your clothes moving back in to your dresser and your toiletries returning to the cabinet or drawer where they belong. If you hosted guests in your home, the Laundry Fairy (at least that is who punches the clock at our place) will make her rounds to wash up the bedding and wipe everything down.
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.