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 As we prepare for Christmas this year, we are concluding a year when we have celebrated in many ways the anniversary of this church. The theme for that celebration has been “Gifts From God, Gifts For God” embodying the idea that the church could not exist without the gifts that flow from the grace and generosity of God. One hundred and twenty five years ago, God placed in the hearts of a few people the vision of a church in the newly developing town, and in every generation since, God has given a new vision of what it means to be that church in this community. God has given the resources that have been required and God has called the people who over that span of time have been part of the church. God has sent us able leaders and talented artists that have enhanced our shared experience. God has given builders, teachers and cooks that have each contributed to the manifestation of the kingdom in this place.
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Last week, we were on the beach. One of my favorite activities is to walk along the water’s edge letting the waves break at and over my feet. Some waves hit with great force, others seem to creep ashore. No two are exactly alike. No two experiences of the ocean are the same. I have learned that the waves don’t just form when I am first able to see them. They are the result of the topography of the ocean’s floor, the shelves the water must flow over; the wind and weather conditions, the activity in the water, and even the phases of the moon. The ocean is alive, it is never still, it is always in motion.
On Wall Street, in the housing industry and in the manufacturing sector there are signs that the economy is beginning to recover. Experts warn that we aren’t there yet, but we are seeing hopeful signs of turn around. The storm may be calming, but I’m afraid the wave is just now hitting our shore.
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As I write this, we are in that deliciously slow time between our anniversary celebration and fall kickoff.
We have had great fun this year looking back at the history of the church, enjoying guest speakers, singing hymns, eating ice cream at the first church building and topping it all off with a pig roast last Sunday. We have welcomed back some old friends and we have thanked God for all the bounty with which this congregation has been blessed. Although we still have two gust speakers to come, that is the past. It is history, and we cannot dwell there.
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