GREETINGS HOLY PEOPLE
OF GOD,
It’s been a whirlwind of a summer. Confirmation camp, family vacation to northern Minnesota, 4th of July, broken arm, surgery, no pickleball, VBS, pool party, youth gathering in New Orleans, July food drive, Free Lunch and summer lunch bunch and now getting ready for the installation of new flooring and hosting National Neighborhood Night Out with our some of our neighbors providing Sudanese Mediterranean foods and our first time ever blood drive that same afternoon. Thank you to all who have signed up and spread the word. We have reached 30 on our sign up for the blood drive. Wow. It’s totally amazing. And this is just in my small circle of influence.
On the national stage there is also a whirlwind of activity. We have a failed assignation of former president Trump, the withdrawal of President Biden from the upcoming election, President Biden with covid as do many returning from the youth gathering including Bishop Current, my husband and his youth group. As of this writing I have tested negative and will test again on Saturday. I will send out a church wide email on Saturday or you may call me directly at 319-631-8858 but if you are in a high-risk category you may choose to watch worship via Facebook or YouTube or you may come and choose to wear a mask. I trust that you will make an appropriate decision for yourself and our community.
It is a whirlwind. I get overwhelmed just listing it all. Life gets a bit overwhelming from time to time. During the youth gathering there was a time I was so overwhelmed with planning, I just had to sit with our leaders and map out our plans for the coming days. I wrote things down, tried to listen to all our leaders and not make snap decisions and kept listening to everyone including God.
Amid the whirlwind of activities and events, it is good for us to sit still and listen to God. For me, I set a timer for 20 minutes and clear my mind focusing my attention on God. When my thoughts ran astray, and they do, I come back to God’s name. Try it. But if that doesn’t work, try music or a hymn or try focusing on scripture or journaling or walking or go to a high place, a place where you are reminded of God’s presence. The sanctuary is available to you. With everything circling around us, it is essential that we have a good ear for the Holy Spirit’s whisperings and guidance. Take a deep breath and imagine God’s presence filling you with each inhale and as you exhale entrust yourself into God’s good hands. You are not alone. God wants to help you and walk with you. God wants to show you the way. God loves you. We are not alone. We have each other and most importantly God has us and is always ahead of us no matter where we go.
We are a people who keep turning to God. We remember God’s faithfulness. God provides a way, and it is often a very interesting and challenging way. A way that asks us to die to ourselves so that God breathed life can emerge and take root and grow. A way that is more than we can imagine. A way that is better because we walk with God.
Whatever whirled wind is surrounding you, stop and rest with God for a time and trust God to help you get your bearings amid all that is taking place in our lives, personally, collectively and in the worldwide arena. We are not alone. God is with us and we have each other.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
