ByPastor Wes Poole
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. – NRSV
September 1st…the beginning of another year! I’m sitting here at home, waiting on a plumber and listening to the rather relentless rain. Summer and vacation are pretty much over! And you know…that’s OK with me. It’s funny…the liturgical year begins with the First Sunday of Advent, and the calendar year with January 1st, but for me, the year always begins with September. The kids all go back to school, Christian Ed cranks up again at long last, the schedule starts to fill up, and HALLELUJAH, one can see an end to the oppressive heat!!! Fall is always my favorite time of year!
With the “New Year”, comes a series of new opportunities for ministry. We have some exciting things lined up for the Fall; some old, some new, and all in need of faithful folks like yourselves pitching in to help make them successful. I’m particularly excited about our new Faith Formation direction. The final details are still being firmed up, but we’ll have an official unveiling at our September 12th Rally Day and Congregational Renewal Picnic. I hope to see everyone there…it’s going to be awesome!
Still,”this is a devotion, pastor…not a newsletter article…what gives?!” Indeed. Yet, that’s where my thoughts are today. There is a deep, profound spirituality in the ordinary routines of life. We’ve come through so much in the last 18 months or so. We’re not out of the woods yet to be sure, but the fact that we can gather together for worship and spiritual growth is a blessing made all the sweeter by its actually being possible.
An ancient Chinese legend tells of a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests. When the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled epicures praised this exquisite tea. The host smiled and said, “The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly.
Point taken. As the psalmist reminds us, The Lord is indeed our keeper, our shade at our right hand, and through all that life has in store for us; the highs, the lows, and the regular ole routines of life! Learning to appreciate the power of the ordinary can deepen our relationship with God and neighbor.
This is a time of renewal and revitalization. Between now and Christmas there will be good things happening at GSLC. Come out and make yourselves an active part of Good Shepherd’s ministries. With your help, and with the Holy Spirit continually inspiring us all to serve faithfully, our ministries will be meaningful…and the Good News of Jesus Christ will continue to be proclaimed in this community and beyond.
May the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless our church family as we walk the path of faith together.
Be well, be kind, and be safe…and if you haven’t yet, and are able…go get the shot!
Blessings always,
Pastor Wes †
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. – NRSV
September 1st…the beginning of another year! I’m sitting here at home, waiting on a plumber and listening to the rather relentless rain. Summer and vacation are pretty much over! And you know…that’s OK with me. It’s funny…the liturgical year begins with the First Sunday of Advent, and the calendar year with January 1st, but for me, the year always begins with September. The kids all go back to school, Christian Ed cranks up again at long last, the schedule starts to fill up, and HALLELUJAH, one can see an end to the oppressive heat!!! Fall is always my favorite time of year!
With the “New Year”, comes a series of new opportunities for ministry. We have some exciting things lined up for the Fall; some old, some new, and all in need of faithful folks like yourselves pitching in to help make them successful. I’m particularly excited about our new Faith Formation direction. The final details are still being firmed up, but we’ll have an official unveiling at our September 12th Rally Day and Congregational Renewal Picnic. I hope to see everyone there…it’s going to be awesome!
Still,”this is a devotion, pastor…not a newsletter article…what gives?!” Indeed. Yet, that’s where my thoughts are today. There is a deep, profound spirituality in the ordinary routines of life. We’ve come through so much in the last 18 months or so. We’re not out of the woods yet to be sure, but the fact that we can gather together for worship and spiritual growth is a blessing made all the sweeter by its actually being possible.
An ancient Chinese legend tells of a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests. When the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled epicures praised this exquisite tea. The host smiled and said, “The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly.
Point taken. As the psalmist reminds us, The Lord is indeed our keeper, our shade at our right hand, and through all that life has in store for us; the highs, the lows, and the regular ole routines of life! Learning to appreciate the power of the ordinary can deepen our relationship with God and neighbor.
This is a time of renewal and revitalization. Between now and Christmas there will be good things happening at GSLC. Come out and make yourselves an active part of Good Shepherd’s ministries. With your help, and with the Holy Spirit continually inspiring us all to serve faithfully, our ministries will be meaningful…and the Good News of Jesus Christ will continue to be proclaimed in this community and beyond.
May the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless our church family as we walk the path of faith together.
Be well, be kind, and be safe…and if you haven’t yet, and are able…go get the shot!
Blessings always,
Pastor Wes †