Tidings March 2026

TIDINGS from BETHLEHEM

                                                             -----Monthly News From In & Around Our Parish-----

                               From the Pastor’s Desk

                            March 2026     

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28- (NRSV)

Have you ever had one of those moments?  You come to worship, eager, but not expecting anything spiritually monumental, and then it happens.  Somehow, someway, you just get transported.  It could be one of the prayers, a line in a hymn, hearing a lesson in a way that you never have before, and for a time everything else just fades away.  It could last for a second, or maybe even minutes.  You know you’re not simply daydreaming; this is something different, deeper.  The Spirit moves and you are changed.

Recently I had an opportunity to enjoy a mid-week communion service at the Lutheran seminary in Philadelphia.  I sat in the crowd, leafed through the bulletin; I stood and sat at the appropriate times.  I thought about all that I needed to accomplish that day, the concerns of the world weighed on me. 

And then, it was time for a hymn; everyone joined in.  On the second verse the person to my left took the tenor part.  After just a few words, the person to my right took the cue and picked out the alto part.  Not wanting to mess with a good thing I muddled through the melody, by the third verse I could feel the tears welling in my eyes as the congregation continued their crescendo.  I am certain that most folks in that chapel had chills.  This boisterous bunch of Lutheran pastors and seminarians artfully knit together a comforting blanket of sound.

This was sacred space, in which the people of God were given the privilege of joining together with one voice and simultaneously praise and spirits were uplifted.  I was deeply blessed by that worship experience; indeed, once again I had been blessed with “one of those moments.”  The kind of moments that I tried to describe above.

Blessed because after the organ’s pipes went silent and God’s children were seated, I had an overwhelming sense of peace.  I had been blessed; the weariness and heavy burdens had been lifted; the Lord had offered a fleeting moment of rest.  It was a scriptural promise realized and fulfilled.

But there’s just one more thing that I would like to mention.  Before that service ever started, before a single gust of air moved through those organ pipes, an elderly man rushed up to me on my way into chapel.  He grabbed my hand and forearm, got my undivided attention, looked me in the eye and said, “If this isn’t your first time here, welcome back!  If it is your first time, a double welcome!  Either way, I am so glad you are here.”  He was smiling from ear to ear and was completely genuine.

As I decompressed from the worship experience, I realized something critically important.  I don’t think that gentleman was “glad” I was there because I swelled the ranks that day, increased worship attendance, or by my presence gave the community an appearance of health and vitality.  I think he was “glad” I was there, not because I changed anything, but rather because I would likely be changed in that sacred space.  This is a critically important distinction to consider as we offer our welcome at Bethlehem.

I pray earnestly that you will join us for worship in the coming weeks, not because it will improve our average worship attendance.  I pray that you will join us for worship, because eventually, and hopefully… you will have one of those moments when you are moved and transformed by the worship that is transpiring in our shared sacred space. 

“Come,” Jesus said, in other words, you are invited!  “Come, and I will give you rest,” restoration, and a peace that passes all understanding.  See you in church!        

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan