Grace and peace to you from soggy and drizzly Chuckatuck on a day of transition. Today was a transition point during Coronatide from hybrid Eucharist to a couple weeks of Lay-led hybrid Morning Prayer. It will be a first for those leaders but we’ll do well under their leadership. After the weeks of Morning Prayer we will expand our hybrid Eucharist to include shared Communion for those unable to join in person. But it would be remiss to not mention the amazing wedding that was held yesterday – another instance where fluid is too rigid. May God bless you today and in the coming week.
In worship today we were reminded that God’s grace leads us on our journey and follows us to protect us from our past. God’s grace is given so we might continue to do good works in our lives and ministry. Our reading from Exodus told the story of Israel’s transgression when Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments and how Moses was able to intervene for Israel, even when they were willfully sinful. Our Psalmist reminds us that we need to give thanks (or to Rejoice) because God has been and will be merciful to us. The gospel reading from Matthew was the story of the wedding banquet and how, when those invited rebuked the king, more were invited to fill the banquet. But the king also required people to do their part regarding the marriage feast. Our sermon today focused on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, an old saw that most know – “rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.” We are invited to rejoice because (1) the Lord is near, (2) the Lord will listen to and answer our prayers, and (3) if we seek justice, honor, and mercy God will lead us.
As we make transitions in our lives we need to remember that God is with us and present if we look for God. And when we seek God and God’s guidance, we will thrive – because it is God’s work we do.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/q10LU5bTwRM
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