Fresh Start!

I've enjoyed the summer outdoor worship season so much.  I love the trees, the flowers, the birds, and even the sounds of lawn mowers and airplanes.  I've enjoyed experimenting with new worship music and sharing our annual thanksgiving for the Blessing of Creation, at which we've shared worship with all of our pets.  It's hard to see the summer end so quickly.

But I am also energized by the arrival of crisp morning breezes and colorful leaves on the trees.  The summer worship crowds have been vibrant and happy, but I've continued to find myself missing every family that goes away for a summer vacation.  I occasionally feel like the pet dog left behind at home, while the rest of the family goes off on an adventure.   Maybe others in the congregation feel something similar.  Not angry or resentful, just a little saddened by the absence of those who are away for a few weeks.  Maybe even God shares such feelings.  In all events, it's fun to see everyone arriving home, rested and ready to begin the new school year--and a new fall season at church.

I love Rally Day, when all the Sunday School classes start up again, and when our worship services return to the main indoor Sanctuary.  There are so many kids and parents and teachers everywhere, that the whole building seems charged with new energy.  The old worship space seems especially beautiful and inviting, filled again with the sound of organ music and choirs.  And new faces in the choirs!  New helpers for technical matters!  Fresh repairs to the building!  New mission projects in the works!  The news of our summer service projects and the plans for all of our upcoming events fill me with confidence and hope.  Whatever my own flaws, God is really at work in this place, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it!

Cool Morning, Fresh Start

For several days now, the sunrise has seemed to me to be behind schedule.  For almost a week, I've been waking up very early each day, and it's been dark.  Grousing quietly to myself, I've been dragging myself from the darkened bedroom to the shower.  While shaving, I've thought about all the things I've needed to do during the day.  A depressingly long list.  Then I've eaten breakfast, filled up on coffee, and slogged into the study to work.  Because of having slept too little, I've dawdled through routine matters, ignoring the big, time-consuming projects that have been piling up.  I don't know why I've felt so unproductive.

But today has been different.  Today, the late sunrise has opened into a beautiful, cool blue sky.  I've dressed in my usual late-summer attire, and as I've walked outside to dump the trash and get the paper, I've been cold.  Cold?  All of a sudden, the autumn has arrived, cool and crisp and full of promise.

Like all the kids heading back to school, I feel suddenly energized and excited about the start of a new fall season.  The church is ready and waiting for everyone who is returning from summer vacations, and the fresh paint and new projects are noticeable everywhere.   We had a great Vacation Bible School this summer, and I hope to see all the kids again soon.  We've begun some amazing mission projects, and I can't wait to talk about them with the people who have been away.  There are new worship ideas, new music, and new education plans in the works.  Last week, record numbers of people brought pets to church, to give thanks for God's creation and love, and we had a great time!  Can't wait to show everyone the pictures!

As the autumn begins, it's not just time to dress more warmly, but also time to shake off the cobwebs, start fresh, and begin a new song!  God is in this place--let's join the adventure!