In the last 19 months or so, we have run a grueling marathon. We have expended much energy coping with pandemic restrictions and trying to minister to folks who were rightly expecting something from the church ministries during this trying time - even if none of us were quite sure what it should look like! We were thrilled to see normalcy creeping back into our lives and rejoiced for the much-anticipated end of the many limitations on our activities. But then, we seemed to have started a new race; now the task of rebuilding our ministries was upon us, with expectations morphing as we scrambled to adjust.

This isn’t a time to sit back and let things fall into place (we wish!), hoping that everything will somehow continue as it was pre-pandemic. Too many things have changed in the interim, and the pandemic has left its imprint in so many facets of life. This is a time for regrouping, reimagining our future, and rebuilding our programs and ministries. It’s also an opportunity for coming together and employing teamwork to accomplish our goals and pray for the growth of the church.

Yes, we are still adjusting and rebuilding! This year's "Camp Joyful Noise" music camp is an attempt at rebuilding the music ministry at Calvary and laying the foundation for the next generation of competent leadership. This can be a fantastic opportunity for our kids to build relationships and add skills to their repertoire - not to mention some fun songs! The story of Jonah, which we will be presenting in musical format, is proof to me that God indeed has a sense of humor.

The character of Jonah is so very selfish and possibly even racist. He is the definition of open schadenfreude — glee in the suffering of others. You find yourself wondering, “Why on earth would God choose him as a prophet?” But He did. Jonah, true to character, runs in the opposite direction and God gets his attention in the most dramatic way possible. As C. S. Lewis famously wrote, “Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world.” It certainly allowed Jonah to finally “hear” God!

As the story continues, Jonah finally fulfils his mission and, as an imperfect vessel (and how!), delivers the message from God, maybe even half-heartedly, because after all the drama, he still doesn’t want what God wants! (Repentence) Jonah, on the other hand, was hoping for the fireworks of God’s wrath as entertainment while the corn was popping. He is painfully honest about his disappointment in the turn of events. Has the giant aquatic creature made no impression on him?

The book of Jonah ends with God explaining to Jonah that He does NOT delight in the death of sinners, but wants them to turn away from sin and live. This is a brilliant story of grace and forgiveness and a lesson in the way God uses us who are so imperfect in His service. We pray, “Thy kingdom come!” What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity. --Martin Luther