Tuesday Tidings Nov 4, 2025

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” -Psalm 122:1

I am not getting any younger, and yet, each week my enthusiasm for worship persists.  And in fact, I might be more excited about being in worship than I have ever been!  Why?

Well, there are several reasons…

1.      Worship reminds me that I am not the center of the universe.  The worship space itself is designed to draw us beyond ourselves and into the Divine presence.  It is also the case that passing the peace and praying for others helps me to share the concerns of my neighbors, while preventing me from being consumed by my own.  Wow, how refreshing!

2.      Worship reminds me that words still matter; prayers, expressions of praise, blessings, and benedictions all come with an inherent power that reshapes the faithful and the world in which we live.  As a bonus, intentionally using prayerful words in worship affords me the opportunity to be more thoughtful about what I am saying beyond the confines of the worship space.

3.      Worship reminds me that God is incarnate.  In the waters of Baptism, in the bread and wine received at Holy Communion, and yes, in the imperfect people (just like me), who are slightly flawed yet so very lovable that gather in worship from week to week… We meet and know the Messiah who continues to break into the world on our behalf.

4.      Worship reminds me that I am in desperate need of nourishment.  Even after all these years, I still need the milk and honey that flow from our time together in the sanctuary.   Worship fuels my spirit for the faithful service to which I have been called!

5.      Finally, worship reminds me that there is always hope.  As we listen to the stories from scripture, as we share our own personal sagas, we see time and again that God’s redemptive power is at work.  None of us, not the people of God that have gone before us, nor we present day sojourners in the faith, are ever entirely lost.  Our gracious God is perpetually  bringing us to a new day and gathering us back into the flock.

See you at church! 

 Question for reflection: Why is worship important or essential to you?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

God of mercy and peace, bless us with times of stillness and calm in which we might encounter your gracious encouragement.  Inspire not only our prayers, but also our desire to be in communion with you.  Continually remind us that it is you that are the way, the truth, and the life.  In Christ’s name we pray, amen.