Tuesday Tidings Jan 27, 2026

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?  Are you not my work in the Lord?”  -1 Corinthians 9:1

There’s a classic hymn that asks a timeless question, “Have you seen Jesus my Lord?”

Before you can think too long about your answer to the question, John Fischer, the hymn’s writer offers a startling revelation in the very next line, “He’s here in plain view.”

Wow!  And just in case you needed more evidence, the hymn proceeds stanza by stanza asking some important questions, “Have you ever looked at the sunset?”  Another line asks, “Have you ever stood at the ocean?”  The hymn suggests that Jesus is present in a profound and knowable way in each of those places and moments of experience.

And then, there’s my favorite moment in the hymn, “Have you ever stood in the family with the Lord there in your midst?”

So many of us have stood, sat, or stirred within the family of faith, and I pray we have all sensed and known the warmth and affection of that spiritual connection.

The hymn writer continues, “Seen the face of Christ on your brother, sister?”  And the glorious response, “Then I say you’ve seen Jesus my Lord!”

At a recent Council meeting our outgoing president, Jay Hellinger reminded the leadership of the congregation of this impactful and poignant truth: all of our siblings in Christ bless us with an opportunity to encounter the goodness of God.  And, in addition to that, give us an opportunity to demonstrate the kind of deference, respect, and honor that we would offer to our Savior when we encounter him.

Our days might be filled with more wonder, awe, grace, and mystery if we were able to take this spiritual reality with the utmost seriousness!      

Question for reflection: Where have you seen Jesus your Lord recently?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

God of mercy and might, amid all the responsibilities and expectations; amid all the consternation and concern; let us never forget that time with you shapes the way in which we face and bless the world.  We give you thanks that when we are most settled, we have settled into you; when we are most driven, we are being driven by you.  In Christ’s name we pray, amen.