This weekend, we begin a new sermon series called One Community, Many Faiths: Perspectives on Salvation.
I've always been fascinated by religious expression and spiritual experiences. Looking at my life, some might say that I like to chase the mountaintop experiences and care less for the mundane.
I'll admit to flying around the world to sit by the Ganges River and get caught up in the bells and smoke, flowers and chants of the Hindu pilgrimage. My husband, sitting right next to me, was mostly just annoyed by the dense layer of flies hovering over the cow excrement and open sewers. I really didn't notice any of that until he mentioned it to me later, because I was so caught up in the press of people moving together like an ocean wave toward the mouth of the river that for eons has been revered as the life-source of the Indian sub-continent.
The experience was all of that - flies and excrement, beauty and transcendence - and more. Being there together changed us ... mostly because Travis now offers far more input during our travel planning. But also because it's impossible for us to consider who God is without thinking of the Hindu pilgrims' devotional chants and floral offerings.
This weekend, we're going to take a moment to remember just how big God is and what Jesus had to say about our place in it all - both in the mountaintop moments and in all the mundane times in between.
I'll preach at 9:30 and 11 a.m., Julia Watkins will preach in the Chapel at 8:45, and we'll enjoy musical invitations to the season of Lent in all services.
I hope you'll worship with us in person or online and invite a friend to join you.
Jessica
