September Musings

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”  

Soren Kierkegaard

I typically conclude columns with a call to pray. Returning to having a monthly newsletter after an August break, I’ll pick up where I left off in June.  I’ve quoted from Kierkegaard before and particularly like this quote.  When we pray, reflect and examine our consciences, when we interact with our maker, we tend to grow in compassion towards others and love for God’s creation.  We change. This change may be gradual, incremental, at times almost imperceptible but, ultimately, we progress and change for the better, better reflecting how God would have us be.  

This type of spiritual change and this quote from Kierkegaard reminds me of a companion statement from Martin Luther that Pastor Townsend often relates, “This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise.  We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road.  All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”  That last bit about purification echoes recent readings from Jeremiah and Luke that Pastor Scott spoke to where the path to purification may involve tears and even a refiner’s fire.  May our Lord, the Holy Spirit and fellow believers walk with us and pray with us and for us on this path.  Along the way may we also have opportunities for fellowship and moments to savor and appreciate God’s creation. 

We continue with our efforts to be more involved and more visible in our community.  You’ve no doubt seen the new, more prominent banners on the corner lawn.  Thanks Duane, Don and Gloria.  We’ve restarted a program of collecting food for the needy.  You’ll see baskets in the church narthex where you may drop off canned goods and other non-perishables for distribution.  Currently there is a small donation box on the fence on the south side of Tahoe Park School that we’re helping to fill.  We may eventually set up our own box.  Any carpenters out there?  For our next community event, we’re set to host a neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, September 6th, from 8 until Noon.  If you have treasures, AKA extra stuff, that you’d like to sell or know of friends and neighbors who do, please request a table and make your friends aware.  We will offer one free table per family on a space available basis.  There’s no cost to take part, but a donation to the church would certainly be appreciated and put to good use.  It should be a fun event.  

Like many households, here at St. Paul’s our expenses are up while our offerings are down.  Assist and give where able and encourage neighbors to join us both in worship and in fundraising, like at one or more of our upcoming events.  Along with the September Yard Sale, it’s not too early to plan for and mark your calendars for our next Oktoberfest on October 25th.  More than anything, come join us on our journey of faith and hope.  We’re stronger together.

We continue with our Diaper Distribution program.  Most months go smoothly, and we serve a real need.

Yes, pray always.  Will we fall short?  Undoubtedly.  Will we stumble?  Yes.  Yet, despite, or maybe because of, our stumbling we persevere and strive to stay on the pathway Luther, Kierkegaard and our Lord would have us travel.  I’ll conclude with words concerning our path and The Way from our Lord written in the Gospel of John.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6 NRSV

Peace,

Chuck Prewett

Communications Director