Nostalgia doesn’t give us a path forward.
And it doesn’t challenge us much, either.
In the biblical story of Esther, God called a young woman, from a minority community under potentially hostile rule, to ministry “in such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). We, too, are in the times we are in—and like Esther, we are still, and always, called to ministry in our time.
So as we look forward, we’ll need both a good assessment of where we are, and a willingness to look to future possibilities. So let’s focus on what can happen. Let’s do some creative dreaming. Do we want to reach out to some of the refugees settled in Pittsburgh? Do we want to start here, in the McKnight neighborhood, finding ways to show the church’s hospitality and welcome? Do we want to spend more time studying the Old Testament this year?
And as we consider what we can do as a community, let’s also each give some consideration to what we personally can do. Do you see someone around you who seems a little lonely? Might we ask them to join us at church one Sunday? Our life together, in this community of commitment and faith, is a gift. With whom might we share it? With whom might you share it?
Christmas is a fairly low pressure time to come to church. We’re all pressed for time, of course, but people know that we don’t necessarily assume they’re looking for a church home if they come for the holidays. And the hymns and songs tend to be more familiar, if you haven’t already been a churchgoer.
Whoever else you are called to serve, you are also called to serve those around you. Pray for them; offer them companionship and laughter in this sometimes lonely, frustrating time. And without doing a hard sell, consider inviting them to join this community that already loves and supports you.
I’ll see you in church—
Becky
Prayer
Loving God, creator and sustainer of all that we see
and all that we don’t see,
It is difficult sometimes to dream.
When we’re tired—and we often are—
we’d rather find a quiet place to mourn what we lost,
or what we wish we had.
And sometimes that’s necessary.
Grief is an appropriate response to loss.
But then, after we have grieved—
and sometimes even while we grieve—
We need to look forward, too.
Help us to ease our grip on our own preferences.
Help us to consider your dreams
and your vision.
Help us to consider where we might minister to others—
because we know that they, too, are grieving.
Help us to respond to the needs around us.
Help us to find that balance between rest and trust and restoration,
and creativity and building and response.
You who sustain the universe
have promised always to be with your church.
Teach us trust.
Teach us joy in the moments we have now—
teach us to notice them,
and to savor them with each other.
Teach us simply to share the joy we have in you and your gifts
with a world so desperately needing you—
in our service,
in our friendship,
in our prayers.
Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of the universe.
May we always keep our focus on you. Amen.