Sometimes it's hard to contain oneself, right? Such joy overtakes you and
you just have to stand up straight, arms heavenward, and shout, "Thank
You, Lord!" And if someone asks you what in the world you're doing, you
just grin and say, "thanking God for all my blessings!" Look how blessed
we are in this grand country. I'm not talking politics here, I'm talking
the orderly process of law. We "demonstrate" by voting. We drive freely
from coast-to-coast. We shop at a variety of stores and have more choices
than we need. We go to school, beyond high school too, if we want. We
listen to a vast array of radio stations. And best of all, we worship
where we please.
Think of all the churches in our towns and cities. My Heavens! There are
big ones and little ones, fancy ones and plain ones. Temples and
synagogues, a few mosques even. Houses of worship of all kinds.
Glorious! Separately and together, they proclaim our faith in the
existence of God, the importance of God, the prominence of God in our
lives. Isn't that amazing? And these houses of worship can be ancient or
middle-aged or brand new. Each has different shapes and materials from
which it is made.
Think of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul which is completely tiled on the
inside in blue with threads of gold. Think of Mont St. Michel outside
Paris with its buttresses and spires. Think of the Methodist church in
Harare, Zimbabwe which could have been taken from Main Street, USA and
planted there it's so similar to a US church, except for the 19 or 20
drums just beneath the altar. Each of us could name a favorite. Some are
our favorites architecturally, some for the ambience within – so steeped
in prayer that one is enveloped in earthly holiness, like the National
Cathedral in Washington, D.C. We are so blessed to be able to see and
appreciate all the hundreds of thousands of different kinds of visions
built in stone or concrete or wood or whatever materials, all for the
purpose of worshipping God.
To describe a church is difficult. To describe its life is even more
difficult. Its people give it its vitality, its life. Whether or not we
worship, pray, sing, listen, create, serve, eat, drink or not decides
whether this building will be alive or not, whether it will be open to the
Holy Spirit or not. God loves us so much that we are given that choice.
But oh the glory, the full heart, when one says to our Lord, "Yes!"
May you appreciate anew your own house of worship this Advent season. If
you are far from home, may you find a new-to-you house of worship. And
then enter those doors in joyous thanksgiving for the very freedom to be
able to do so!
Judy Bergeson, Diaconal Minister
UPCOMING EVENTS AT SALEM:
This Sunday, December 19 at the 10:30 service the children will put on
"Love Came Down at Christmas" Program for everyone's delight.
At the Coffee Hour this same Sunday, Pastor John & Connie Seraphine will
lead a discussion of the DVD "A Thrill of Hope". All are welcome!
Grief Support continues on Sunday afternoons from 3 till 4:30 in the
Chapel Lounge. No registration required; just walk in.
Christmas Eve services are at 4, 7, and 11 PM. Candles will be lit at
each service. There will no 5PM service on Saturday, December 25, and no
Sunday School the 26th.
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