Dear friends:
The Psalmist captures the range of human emotion as well as history’s finest poets and songwriters. From shouts of joyful exultation to hisses of burning anger, the Psalmist contextualizes the range of human experience in terms of faith, reminding us that God is above all, in all, and through all.
This week’s Psalm is what Walter Brueggemann calls a “psalm of re-orientation.” It comes after the Psalmist had gone through some unnamed difficulty and looks back to trace the hand of God through it all. Our other scripture passage comes after the Apostle Paul had much the same experience. Life had been difficult and he had to distill it down to the essentials.
We’ll explore them both and see what they have to offer as we continue to wade through this thing called a pandemic. I trust you’ll find it helpful and hope you’ll join us, either online or in person.
Let me also offer just a word of gratitude for the wise leadership of our Re-opening Task Force. Their steady hand and wise counsel has led us well, allowing our congregation to thrive while keeping us safer than we might have been otherwise. I’m grateful.
I look forward to seeing you — virtually or in person — on Sunday.
Warmly,