09-11-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
September 11, 2021
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions we taught you, whether we taught you in person or through our letter. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and a good hope. May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.

Thought for the Day: For anyone over the age of 30, you can probably remember where you were on this day 20 years ago, who you were with and some of the emotions you felt. As a pastor, I was a bit taken back by the range of reactions I received in the hours following. Most surprising were the phone calls to the church that day. Most of them were church members we rarely saw on Sunday morning, yet it was these folks who were very emotional, mostly filled with fear. So many people wanted to know, “Was this the end of the world?” It always intrigued me how not one of the real active church members asked me that question. I’m sure many of them were frightened and in shock, but they were the ones who were calling and asking, “What can we do?” They were the ones who, upon hearing that we were going to do a worship service that night, were volunteering to leave work early to prepare communion, to act as greeters, and the Elders and Stephen Ministers were making themselves available for prayer. I do not want to give the impression that church attendance prepares us for every unexpected event. At the same time, I do believe that when a faith community gathers, those present are making themselves more spiritually ready for whatever might come their way.

Prayer: Holy God, as we once again find ourselves at this painful anniversary, we seek your assistance so our remembering is also about growing and preparing. Use our worship, our faithful gatherings for both healing and the work of transformation, not only for those who have gathered, but all the world. Amen.

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