From the Interim Pastor

For the beauty of the earth…
For the wonder of each hour…
For the joy of ear and eye…
For the joy of human love…
For thy church that evermore lifteth holy hands above…
…Lord of all to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

This oft sung hymn reminds me, reminds us, of the many wonders that surround us that we can so take for granted. The cherry trees are blossoming. A single hour of our mission-minded members generates some inspiring actions. The delight of music and a setting sun. The love of friends and family. A church that follows the way of Jesus in the world. These are the things that make for a hymn of grateful praise. Lord, help us to see, hear, and touch your gifts to us.

It has been a joy to see children singing in worship and, with adults, bringing food to the church for those who are hungry. Church members and community neighbors huddled together outside on a cold and windy Easter morn in front of the church to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Another dinner will bring together people to share food and fellowship this month in the Parish House.

Christian community is built by sharing our lives with others, valuing who the other person is, welcoming them, sitting with them through their struggles, celebrating their joys, loving as Christ loved us, because we love God. It is my hope that whatever separates people from God and from one another will be overcome by the amazing grace God makes possible. Let me know how I can help you know that grace of God whatever you are experiencing now. I care about you.

We worship closer to each other now in the Parish House, while we examine our sanctuary at age 212 (first built in 1797). It is but a season caring for what we have inherited from our spiritual ancestors. Soon enough we will return, and I hope return with a sense that a church is more than a building--it is a people of God with a vision. Our buildings, like our bodies, are but vessels to manifest the love of God we know through Jesus Christ. We all can contribute to this. May our ministry in his name help us and our neighbors know what it means to live as the church in the 21st century.

The Reverend Robert (Bob) Foltz-Morrison

Past messages from the Interim Pastor:
April 2009