Emmaus Bound (and I didn't know it)

I was up and at 'em this morning at work on a sermon, but after a few hours I needed a break.  I decided to take a walk to the church, but as a devotee of multitasking I couldn't let this be a mere walk.  Let's make this walk productive! I can pick up a commentary, listen to a ministry podcast, and maybe burn a calorie or two.  Win, win, win!

I did not bat 1000 on this sojourn.  The podcast was okay but nothing to write home about and I ended up forgetting my office key at home.  Boo!  I waved goodbye to my Anchor Bible Dictionary through the window and turned around. 

That's when I ran in to one of our church members, Clarence.

Clarence was on a walk like me, but unlike me Clarence was actually on a walk.  He was unhurried and smiling.  His arms carried tools and supplies.  Seeing Clarence brightened my day.  Together we walked and talked most of the way to the parsonage.  

Yesterday I preached on the Emmaus story, and it occurs to me now that my trek-to-get-100-things-accomplished transformed (thanks be to God!) into an Emmaus walk with a fellow disciple.  

Sometimes I miss the forest for the trees in my quest to serve.  I'm grateful God is gracious to me anyway.  Thank you God for today's grace.

Musical Pews

After a meaningful Holy Week, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday.  What a joyous day!  The good news was palpable.

Since my brother and sister-in-law were visiting, I was excited about the prospect of sitting with family during worship.  One of my favorite things about vacation is going to church and sitting with my family.

Most of us like sitting with our families during worship and perhaps especially so on holidays.  Oftentimes family is visiting, we're gussied up in our Easter best, and we're looking forward to fun (egg hunting! ham!) with those we love. 

Our pews filled up quickly on Sunday so it eventually became difficult to find a place to sit.  During the welcome I saw someone searching for a place to sit, but thankfully she didn't have to look for long because one of our couples hopped right out of their pew to make room.  It happened so fast I might as well call it a reflex. 

This couple's race to give up their pew reminded me of the women at the tomb racing to tell the good news.  This couple, like the women, proclaimed the gospel with their feet.  They gave up their pew AND the opportunity to sit together (the wife sat with the visitor and the husband found a seat elsewhere).

What a gift to witness this unselfish act. 

And while it may seem like a little thing, I've found "little" things rarely are little.  They almost always point to a life of faithfulness in many "little" and big ways. 

Maundy Thursday

Thanks to Scottsville Baptist's creative worship planner, Joan, a lovely altar was arranged for our Maundy Thursday service.  

It speaks volumes without saying a word.

Maundy Thursday is a needed reminder of the sacrificial love of Jesus.  We are glad to share his love; however it is much more difficult to receive it.  Remember Peter?  "Lord are you going to wash my feet?"  We echo his words so often.  Receiving requires humility.

Allowing someone to wash our feet is uncomfortable.  

It is also insanely beautiful.

We see and touch the sacrificial love of Jesus for us in this act. 

We weep, laugh, embrace, smile, and exchange words of love.  

Almost all feet are dried with the same towel--retired feet, children's feet, and I-rushed-here-from-work feet.  Some wash the feet of strangers; others wash the feet of spouses, parents, and friends.  

It is a picture of the kingdom of love inaugurated by Jesus Christ.

I am grateful. 

The Gift of Ash Wednesday

One of the gifts of following the church year is joining with Christians throughout the world in worship.  Together we repent, rejoice, grieve, act, contemplate, praise, and give thanks.

Today is Ash Wednesday which means millions of Christians are renewing our commitment to repentance.  What a powerful thought (!)--even more powerful if we follow through.

In worship on Sunday we talked about acknowledging our sin to God.  Confession and repentance are paramount in the life of a Christian.  We also remembered the good news:  God's love is bigger than our sin.  Thanks be to God! 

At our drop-in service today, we've read scripture, prayed, and imposed ashes.  Some of you have shared tears; others have shared hopes for renewal and growth.  I am praying for you.  Scottsville Baptist Church:  Praying with and for you is one of the great privileges of my ministry.  Thank you.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  2 Corinthians 13:14

Joyful Noise

This morning I'm surrounded by Psalm 100 on all sides, and I couldn't be happier!

Thanks to the gifts of folks near and far all of our Annex Building windows are being replaced!  The final phase is being completed as I type, so the noise of removal and installation is filling our building.

These are joyful noises unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1).

Our Food Pantry and Clothing Closet is open.  It has been especially busy today.  Bread, coats, and conversation are being shared.  I saw one of our volunteers sitting down with someone new to us--taking time to invite her to church and get to know her.

These are joyful noises unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1).

On Saturday we're hosting 'A Night in Bethlehem'.  We want to tell our friends and neighbors the story of Jesus!  We'll do this with a live manger scene and hot cocoa and bread-baking and iron-working stations and more.  We're so excited.  Our little town of Bethlehem is being organized as I type.

These are joyful noises unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1).

Our faithful secretary is busy about the work of copying worship folders for Sunday, answering the phone, and being the presence of Christ to all who enter the building.

These are joyful noises unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1).

These Thursday noises are filling my ears with gladness.  What a blessing.

"Come in dearhearts!"

A few summers ago Katherine and 'B' were both recovering from various health issues at The Laurels in Charlottesville. One afternoon I stopped by for a visit and found Katherine first, and since she was always up for fun we hatched a plan to surprise 'B' in the hair salon.

We wheeled down the hallway and found 'B' caped up and ready for a color and rinse. 'B' laughed when she saw us. "Come in dearhearts!"

We had the best time talking, praying, and laughing. Can you tell?

Thanks be to God for Katherine and 'B' who have joined countless others in the great cloud of witnesses. What a privilege to have been your pastor.

A Letter to the Church at Scottsville

In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, he begins with gratitude for those with whom he shares ministry: "I thank my God every time I remember you..." (1:3)  Paul loved the churches he served, and I echo his words of thanks to the church I serve:  Thank you Scottsville Baptist Church.  

Thank you for the fifth anniversary party.  Thank you for your words and cards. Thank you for your prayers, songs, artwork, slide show, flowers, and gifts. Thank you for the meal (everyone knows the finest of restaurants can't touch a Baptist potluck).  

Thank you for spelling out your love in icing.  You know how I love cake.

I love celebrating anything for any reason with cake.

Thank you Scottsville Baptist Church.  There are many things I love about you.  Here are a few:

I love how you take your faith seriously.  I also love that you have fun.

I love your commitment to worship and your willingness to stretch.

One of the privileges of the pastorate is sharing communion with you.

I love how often I bump in to you in hospital hallways visiting our seniors.

I love your willingness to give rides to the doctor, to youth and children's activities, to the grocery, and to the bank.  

I love how you humbly go about serving anyone and everyone.  I love how you don't want or seek applause.

I love how you learn our children's interests and engage them in conversation.

The children each painted me a canvas and prayed with me.
Pass the Kleenex, please.

I love that you share the table with each other and with me.  Thank you for inviting me to family dinners and birthday parties and fish fries and graduation cookouts and Lumpkin's lunches and "Sunday drives" to the farm, festival, orchard, and ballgames.  Thank you for welcoming me to your home on Christmas Eve and taking me four-wheeling to meet your cows (even when I show up in a dress).

I love how you love the church, and I even love how competitive you are at Bible Jeopardy.

Thank you, church.  I look forward to the future!

The lovely hand-painted prayer the church gifted me.