New Creation
Theme: New Creation
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Reflection:
Here in Southern Illinois, we are cruising through spring and anticipating the heat of summer. School is out for summer (yay for teachers, kids, and parents of homeschool kids). Recently, I have noticed the increasing amount of time our family has spent watching the birds eat at the bird feeder; we sit, watch, scream whisper to "come" without scaring the birds. What is even more stark, is the growth of the trees, the grass, and the container garden plants that are growing.
This spring has been like no other spring in my lifetime. We have spent far more time at home than ever before, and our calendar has had fewer appointments than ever before. Our family has slowed down-- in this stillness we have made more meals together, eater dinner as a family every night, and spent time appreciaing the beauty of God's creation.
This focus text today is 2 Corinthians 5:17. You, and me, are a part of a new creation-- yesterday, today, and every day. If you read closely, notice that we are not a new creation because of anything we have done; we are made new only because God offers us the gift of new and abundant life in and through Jesus Christ. This newness is a gift, from God, for you.
Most of the church people I have talked to recently have longed for in-person worship. To gather in the sanctuary, surrounded with siblings in Christ, to hear God's Word, feel the baptismal waters in the font, and taste the holy meal of the Lord's Supper. In God's Word and God's promises, we are made new. We are claimed, with the cross of Christ, in our baptism, where we celebrate the way we are grafted together in the Holy Spirit. We kneel at a rail, hand outstretched, awaiting the body and blood of Christ. Refreshing. Renewing. Personal. Corporate. Holy.
Someday, we will have made it through this time of social distancing, and we will gather together as the body of Christ, for in-person worship. Just as the world changes, our practices and rituals will have some changes. Your church council and pastor are working on making the modifications necessary for us to gather safely together. We will be in person, in a new way. I have no doubt that you will experience worship in a new way, when you have returned to in-person worship. I have no doubt the sights, smells, and sounds will hit you with new feelings. We worship the same, steadfast God, but do so as a new creation. Always a work in progress, thanks to the Holy Spirit.
I pray that you experience newness of life each day; remember that you are named and claimed in the waters of Holy Baptism. Every day is a new day to live into the grace offered by God. Every day is the chance to demonstrate neighborly love. As I pray, I again ponder the birds at the feeder. Thank you God, for making all things new.
Questions:
1) How have you experienced newness of life in the last week?
2) Where do you see new life popping up in the world around you?
3) How will you live in a new way after social distancing?
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for making all things new! As dawn turns to day, and day turns to dusk, remind us that each day is a gift from you. Refresh us and renew us this evening, so that tomorrow all we say and do may reflect the new life given to us from you, through your Son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Song: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY-OIrsOD4E
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Reflection:
Here in Southern Illinois, we are cruising through spring and anticipating the heat of summer. School is out for summer (yay for teachers, kids, and parents of homeschool kids). Recently, I have noticed the increasing amount of time our family has spent watching the birds eat at the bird feeder; we sit, watch, scream whisper to "come" without scaring the birds. What is even more stark, is the growth of the trees, the grass, and the container garden plants that are growing.
This spring has been like no other spring in my lifetime. We have spent far more time at home than ever before, and our calendar has had fewer appointments than ever before. Our family has slowed down-- in this stillness we have made more meals together, eater dinner as a family every night, and spent time appreciaing the beauty of God's creation.
This focus text today is 2 Corinthians 5:17. You, and me, are a part of a new creation-- yesterday, today, and every day. If you read closely, notice that we are not a new creation because of anything we have done; we are made new only because God offers us the gift of new and abundant life in and through Jesus Christ. This newness is a gift, from God, for you.
Most of the church people I have talked to recently have longed for in-person worship. To gather in the sanctuary, surrounded with siblings in Christ, to hear God's Word, feel the baptismal waters in the font, and taste the holy meal of the Lord's Supper. In God's Word and God's promises, we are made new. We are claimed, with the cross of Christ, in our baptism, where we celebrate the way we are grafted together in the Holy Spirit. We kneel at a rail, hand outstretched, awaiting the body and blood of Christ. Refreshing. Renewing. Personal. Corporate. Holy.
Someday, we will have made it through this time of social distancing, and we will gather together as the body of Christ, for in-person worship. Just as the world changes, our practices and rituals will have some changes. Your church council and pastor are working on making the modifications necessary for us to gather safely together. We will be in person, in a new way. I have no doubt that you will experience worship in a new way, when you have returned to in-person worship. I have no doubt the sights, smells, and sounds will hit you with new feelings. We worship the same, steadfast God, but do so as a new creation. Always a work in progress, thanks to the Holy Spirit.
I pray that you experience newness of life each day; remember that you are named and claimed in the waters of Holy Baptism. Every day is a new day to live into the grace offered by God. Every day is the chance to demonstrate neighborly love. As I pray, I again ponder the birds at the feeder. Thank you God, for making all things new.
Questions:
1) How have you experienced newness of life in the last week?
2) Where do you see new life popping up in the world around you?
3) How will you live in a new way after social distancing?
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for making all things new! As dawn turns to day, and day turns to dusk, remind us that each day is a gift from you. Refresh us and renew us this evening, so that tomorrow all we say and do may reflect the new life given to us from you, through your Son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Song: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY-OIrsOD4E
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