During this interim time we welcome guest preachers into our pulpit, and this coming Sunday we have a returning guest preacher: Dr. Gregory DeLoach, the
recently appointed Dean of McAfee Theological Seminary. He tells me he'll be preaching on Genesis 3:8-15, which is one of the alternate Lectionary readings in the Old Testament for this Sunday. We welcome Greg back to Northside Drive.
Last Sunday, Dr. Karen Massey preached on the Trinity, emphasizing how the mystery was to be experienced, not simply thought about. Karen has been instrumental in recruiting and scheduling our guest preachers during this period.
With the arrival of Dr. DeLoach this Sunday, we enter ordinary time. This is the Church's tradition of signaling that we are beyond those high holy days of Advent, Lent, and Easter. As summer beckons, with its promise of lakes and BBQ grill outings, dare we imagine that life can become...ordinary again? It has been an extraordinary year, a year that stretched from March of 2020 and has never ended despite our attempts to mark it as over on the calendar.
We felt as if we were cheated of Advent and our worship services, stuck in our Covid isolation, watching the clergy talk on the screen. Lent was already Lent because we had experienced suffering and privation and by then, some of us thought been there, done that. Lent had become ordinary, perhaps.
Gail O'Day once wrote that “ ‘ordinary time’ is not liturgical ‘down time’ for the church, but is a time when the church regularly reaffirms that God defines all time and all moments of Christian life.” Rather than specifically focusing on the passion or birth of Christ, Ordinary time takes us through a reading of the Synoptic gospels. All the things that didn't make the highlight reel, perhaps? We'll get baptized in the Gospel of Mark, with a few forays into John to add flavor.
As Northside Drivers head off to the beach, the lake, the patio, and the mountains, know you are loved and prayed for. Dip your toes into the mystery of our shared life of faith together. Follow the Lectionary readings from afar, tune in to our livestream when you are not in town, find ways to make your care and concern for our community incarnate through tangible support of our many missions. Down time from Covid perhaps, but not from the joy of loving God and welcoming God's presence.
James always prayed a lovely prayer for travelers each year, which inspired me to pray this one suited for a congregation struggling through pandemic:
God who watches over travelers and staycationers alike,
Watch over us all this summer.
Keep us safe from pandemic,
Heal us of our emotional and spiritual wounds,
Urge us to stay connected to our church community,
Help us always to follow Jesus,
and may we be welcomed by the Holy Spirit...and each other,
when we return.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Daniel Headrick, Associate Pastor
