Strangely Wonderful | June 4
Pastor Heather and I spent a few days last week working on sermon plans for the rest of the year. We both said how strange it feels to be planning that far ahead. We’ve been lucky to have the next sermon series mapped out by the time we finish the one we’re preaching. Things have changed so quickly through the course of the pandemic. They’ve also changed so many times. It is “strangely wonderful” to consider what might be possible in our life together...during Advent! Yes, that might be a stretch, but we feel pretty good about at least the next two months.
What is “strangely wonderful” in your life? I heard someone say they hugged their brother for the first time in months. Someone else told me her family feels ready to plan a vacation. We wonder if it is okay to feel joy, or even to allow ourselves the luxury of hope when so many have lost so much. You bet it is okay! Even in the midst of all the loss and pain we’ve faced, celebrating the victories can’t be forgotten.
Tomorrow, we’ll enjoy that perfect June weather for a cookout. Forecast says, partly sunny, warm and humid. The Thursday Night Mens’ Group is inviting us Back to Faith with hotdogs & hamburgers, live music, and inflatables. No agenda. Just come and enjoy! We’ll be around the back on the north side of the building from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Sunday, we’ll celebrate the full launch of our new schedule. As we worship together, we’ll celebrate Communion at both the 9:00 Traditional and 11:00 Contemporary worship services. Our nursery, kids and youth programs will be coming back during the 10:00 hour -- along with adult Sunday School which has already been meeting. And Kids’ Connection will be back at the 11:00 Contemporary worship service. Remember, masks required in kids and youth areas.
It is exciting on Sunday mornings to experience an expanding schedule and see it actually work. It is exciting to see folks step into servant roles with our new Sunday Support Teams and hold the responsibility so well. It is exciting to know that we are able to welcome guests to both a livestream and onsite worship service...TWICE each Sunday! Our program staff has been hard at work getting ready for the launch of kids and youth ministries. It will be wonderful to have more younger faces around on Sundays. And, Faithcation...our new experiment to provide a safe way for kids and youth to have fun and grow in their faith together...begins next week.
These things are all “strangely wonderful” to me. For all the days when I wondered if the fog would ever lift, now it is. I hope as you celebrate what is “strangely wonderful” in your life, you’ll allow it to be what it is. Our world has changed. We have changed. If we get stuck in the past, we’ll miss the “strangely wonderful” gifts waiting for us right here, right now.
See ya for a hotdog,
