Dear Friends in Christ,
As you all know, I was away for a couple weekends. The first was purely for vacation, and the second was to do a wedding in Manitowoc, WI of an old college friend. So, mostly vacation. I had a lot of time in the sun, hiking and swimming, watching my kids play, and seeing old friends in their hometown. It was a restful and healing week.
Labor Day reminds us that we all need rest. It comes to us, in a tortured way, from the labor movement, which asked for fair pay, good working conditions, and reasonable working hours. Anyone can look at Scripture to see how holy that is—the Sabbaths enshrined in the Torah put aside time for rest and release from bondage and debt. We don’t often remember that the Sabbaths of the Old Testament were not only instituted for rest, but also debt relief. Life is a struggle, and often the struggle is real and good. But everyone needs rest and healing.
This week’s texts speak to us of God’s will to heal. Not just metaphorically, but actually—to heal the sick, the lame, the blind. To heal our hearts and our minds. To heal the wounds that separate us. One of those wounds is the wound of racism—and Lisa Holsberg has brought to our attention the work of Rev. Sekou, a pastor, musician, activist, and all-around phenom. He’s singing this Friday, at the Rockwood Music Hall. Tickets here: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1745765. Most of the proceeds go to benefit justice issues.
And if you can’t make it, come to church!
Pastor John
As you all know, I was away for a couple weekends. The first was purely for vacation, and the second was to do a wedding in Manitowoc, WI of an old college friend. So, mostly vacation. I had a lot of time in the sun, hiking and swimming, watching my kids play, and seeing old friends in their hometown. It was a restful and healing week.
Labor Day reminds us that we all need rest. It comes to us, in a tortured way, from the labor movement, which asked for fair pay, good working conditions, and reasonable working hours. Anyone can look at Scripture to see how holy that is—the Sabbaths enshrined in the Torah put aside time for rest and release from bondage and debt. We don’t often remember that the Sabbaths of the Old Testament were not only instituted for rest, but also debt relief. Life is a struggle, and often the struggle is real and good. But everyone needs rest and healing.
This week’s texts speak to us of God’s will to heal. Not just metaphorically, but actually—to heal the sick, the lame, the blind. To heal our hearts and our minds. To heal the wounds that separate us. One of those wounds is the wound of racism—and Lisa Holsberg has brought to our attention the work of Rev. Sekou, a pastor, musician, activist, and all-around phenom. He’s singing this Friday, at the Rockwood Music Hall. Tickets here: http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1745765. Most of the proceeds go to benefit justice issues.
And if you can’t make it, come to church!
Pastor John
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