Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
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“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” –African Proverb…
We have stayed home for 30 months. We locked down and masked up. We have achieved much in these pandemic days. We have cast a shadow across the country and across the world. Our online presence and our generous giving have allowed us to touch the lives of people who were previously unreachable and unknown. We will continue to stream the songs and words of grace to shut-ins and distant friends.
It was clear from the dawn of human history that we were not created to be alone. Genesis records the first human story, and in that story God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” We were created to live in relationship with God and with each other. We were created to live in community. As a result of choice or circumstance many people do live alone, and perhaps they are happier in quiet solitude.
The problem, and this is a problem, is that social media will not hold your hand or dry your tears or give you the opportunity to do the same for others. Online worship will not offer you a hug during the passing of the peace, or a cookie during the coffee hour, or the brushing of shoulders as a parade of people hobble forward to receive bread and wine.
It is time to come home! It is time to come home to TLC! Last weekend I was at an ELCA gathering in Chicago, there to discuss issues and strategies relating to world hunger and disaster relief. After worshiping with 400 strangers, I turned on my computer and tuned in to the 8 a.m. service at TLC. The worship was beautiful and touching; there is a sweet spirit at TLC. And I was alone. “It is not good that a man should be alone.”
I hope to see you tomorrow. We will be celebrating. We will be singing, laughing, and crying together. We will share the bread and wine together. We will anticipate the Rally Day festivities planned for September 11th together.
It is time to come home! It is time to come home to TLC.
“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
For 30 months we have been saying one day closer; this September we can be close again.
My love to you far and near,
Pastor Jim
