Pastor's Notes June 2006
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 09:55AM Pastor’s Notes for June 2006
Welcome to summer! I look forward to living in a less humid, more temperate climate. Kansas is fairly unforgiving during the middle of July, so I’m ready for something more pleasant. (Of course, that being said, I’m still getting my mind around the notion of talking about snow in terms of “feet” rather than inches, so I might need prayer come winter....)
One of the comments that I have heard is that “church tends to slow down” for a couple of months. I think that’s great to give our hardworking committees a chance to relax and for us to find a chance to relax, go camping, or enjoy the hotter temperatures to have a little freshly squeezed lemonade out on the back porch.
However, as we go through our times of leisure, can we shape this time as holy time? In the popular sense of the word, “sabbath” has come to mean “Sunday only”, compartmentalizing a very powerful word of the faith away from everyday life. Spiritual writer Dorothy Bass comments, “Sabbath keeping is not about taking a day off but about being recalled to our knowledge of and gratitude for God's activity in creating the world, giving liberty to captives, and overcoming the powers of death."
Basically, “knowledge and gratitude” can take on many forms. Each day we rise, we can begin with a line from the psalm: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” A couple that I knew kept this practice throughout their long marriage, saying it to one another as they awakened each day. Another practice might come in the form of walking out into the woods (easily done around here!) and finding a place to pray, read scripture, and listen for God. Drop me a line about what habits help you practice sabbath keeping!
If you would like to read more about sabbath, I invite you to borrow a book from the church office entitled Receiving the Day, written by Dorothy Bass. There are several copies available, so no need to worry that there’ll be a big waiting list! (For more about sabbath keeping, see Dr. Bass’ web site www.practicingourfaith.org and click on “Keeping Sabbath” for reflections, essays, and resources related to this practice of sabbath keeping.) This book is part of an ongoing series on “faith practices,” those habits that help us root our faith more deeply into our lives.
One other invitation: When fall arrives, I will be helping the congregation begin some intentional work talking about its history, structure, mission, denominational identity, and the vision for “what’s next?”. While helping get these events planned out and scheduled over the summer, I will also endeavor to visit with each household in the congregation. I will come with two things in mind: enjoying some fellowship time with you and hearing your stories. I would appreciate hearing what you have enjoyed about being part of First Baptist, some of the highs and lows of your experience, and what part you would like to play in moving First Baptist forward in its ministry and mission here in this community.
A schedule of available dates will be in Colgate Hall during coffee hour and at the church office on weekdays. Please check your calendars and let’s spend some time chatting away a morning, afternoon, or evening. (Note: For those who are able to meet with me most anytime, please keep the evenings time slots open for those who work during the day.)
Grace & Peace
+Jerrod