From the Desk of Pastor Diehl April On Palm Sunday, before we read together the Passion of our Lord according to Matthew, Pastor Shelly reminded us that in a very real way, we weren't just telling or remembering a story, but we were in fact also entering the story and becoming a part of it. That's what worship does. It brings us into God's still unfolding story, then sends us out into the world as a part of that unfolding story. As kind of an aside, our upcoming Florida / Bahamas Synod Assembly in Daytona, the first weekend in May, will have a theme related to that: "God's Work. Our Hands". Voting members from Our Savior going to that assembly will be Janet Grundel, David and Joey Lanyi, Martin Preuss (who serves on the synod council), Jim Boschker and your two pastors. But back to the unfolding story. The many things we do in worship, are done to help us be a part of God's story. On festivals, our worship often begins with a procession into church, led by the processional cross. As the choir, children, and pastors process, we follow the cross. At the same time the worshipers are invited to keep their eyes on the cross as well, turning toward it as it leads us in, and then, at the end of worship, turning towards it as it leads us out, always keeping our eyes on the cross. Not only is that appropriate for our worship, but this is a great reminder for life itself: keeping our eyes on the cross. For when we keep our eyes on the cross as we go about our daily lives, we see on the one hand the distance God was willing to go to redeem the world, and each of us. We see the price God was willing to pay, to offer us life and forgiveness. We see the selflessness of Jesus, which shows what a fulfilled purposeful life looks like. But we also see in the empty cross the victory of the Resurrection and the Hope, Promise that is ours in Christ. Through that cross, we are reconnected to our Creator and to one another. And in our disconnected world, what wonderful news that is! In this Easter season, our worship helps to bring us into God’s unfolding story of His bringing life into His world. As we keep our eyes on the cross, both in worship and in our daily lives, we better live out that story everyday. Easter Peace and Joy to all! + Living in God's Amazing Grace + Pastor Jack |
March
|