Holy Hubbub and Holy Hope
Yep, church today was holy hubbub! And I needed the joy that came with it! So what caused the hubbub? Two things, probably. First, today is Pentecost Sunday, so children entered, waving flags, resembling fire. (Noone's eyes got poked out !!) And many of us wore red as visual reminders of the holy fire that came at Pentecost. (Acts 2) Not the kind of fire that causes damage, like the wildfires in California. But it is dangerous. This is the kind of fire that melts cold hearts, makes amends, motivates us to love God, and others. This holy fire is transformative. It turns love from just words, into actions.
The second reason for all the joy? Today was Baptism Sunday. It is always a joyful time. Family and friends came to celebrate this sacred rite, along with the congregation. Today eight, ranging from a dad to seven children of varying ages, came to be baptized. (He wasn't the dad of the seven children.) So the area around the font was crowded with families, friends, sponsors and those officiating. It looked and sounded like Holy Hubbub!
And nobody cried when water was poured on them. Nor did any child cry in the congregation during the entire service! But one, freshly baptized, little boy blew out the candle given to his family, a symbol of the Light of Christ in him. Maybe he thought,"It's not my birthday and Mama said that fire is dangerous." I suspect Jesus laughed.
However, during the service, I heard some giggles and laughter. Anne Lamott calls laughter, "carbonated holiness." No wonder Jesus said, "Let the little children come."(Matthew 19:14) And so they came, and we renewed our vows, along with them. Oh, and the children sang, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." But unlike, when adults sing, the children used motions. They turned their faces to "look full in His wonderful face." And shunned stuff, through hand motions, as a reminder that when we look at Jesus, "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."
And Grace was everywhere. It was a three tissue service, for me: the sights, sounds and sermon. To look at the children as they sang, "O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?" And that was me, when I entered church today. So much troubled me, more than I felt I could bear. And I wondered, if any of the children felt troubled? But they still sang. And they reminded me and all who were "weary and troubled," to turn our eyes towards Jesus.
Then, Mother Ali preached. She shared a great story about Archbishop Desmond Tutu and preached the Gospel truth . But God knew what I needed most to hear. So she asked a simple question. "Do you know how much God loves you?" And out came another tissue. It's not a new thought, but it hit me as new today on this Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Spirit breathed fresh air into these old lungs, this tired heart and whispered, "Do you know how much God loves you?" And those I love and am praying for?
And, during communion, the choir sang, "There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place.And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord." That's also, the Gospel Truth. A sweet spirit showed up today. Joy came in flags waving, children laughing and singing words to remind us where to look in troubled times. And for these moments together, it was hard to do anything but turn towards Jesus. And then towards each other with love.
Which, when I think about that first Pentecost, it was God's love that sent the Holy Spirit to unite them. And us, as well as to ignite and equip The Church to fulfill its mission. God's saving Grace is for all. The people listening to Peter preach that day came from all over the place and spoke many different languages. But when the Holy Spirit came, they understood each other. Love is a universal language.
So, dear family and friends. We live in chaotic and troubled times. Bad news bombards us. But I have the best news. It spoke to me today. And I pray it lifts your spirits and helps you turn your eyes from "the things of earth" to the One who knows all, sees all and cares more than we can grasp.
So, consider Mother Ali's question? It wasn't just for me. It's for you, as well.
"Do you know how much God loves you?
And how much God loves those who you love and pray for?
Yes, them, too.
Holy Hope!
16 Comments
It is such a joy to be reminded of how much we are loved by God. My reminder came a few weeks back when the sermon focused on Mary speaking to “the gardner “ outside of the empty tomb.John 20 - Jesus said to her “Mary.” I heard the tenderness in his voice and felt what she must have felt when she recognized his voice calling her name. He calls us by name as well, with tenderness and love.
Blessings to you Jan
Katherine
Thank you, dear Katherine, for this reminder from the Gospel of John about the encounter between Jesus, mistaken for a gardener, and Mary. She recognized the voice of Jesus, when he called her by name. How encouraging to know that Jesus also knows our names. I'm so grateful for all the years I got to serve with good folks like you and Jim at Gordon College. Thanks for reading the blog. It encourages me when I see familiar names, as well as new ones show up.
Thank you!!!
And thank you, dear Margaret, for taking time to read and respond. May you be filled today with a deep sense of how much God loves you and those you love and pray for.
Jan, I read your post just after we got back from a two hour service at the Lutheran Cathedral in downtown Stavanger. We were shocked, and in a very good way, at how full the sanctuary was! Despite the fact that Norway is more secular than in past generations, the second day of Pentecost is still a national holiday here. It was one of the best birthday parties we’ve ever been to!
Wow! That is shocking, in a very good way, dear Maggie. Hunger to know God and God's love runs deeply through our DNA. And so does the awareness that we need help in this life beyond self-help and other resources. And so God sent the Holy Spirit. Love picturing you in Stavanger. I visited that cathedral a few years ago. So beautiful. Norway was part of a movement of the Holy Spirit in the 1970s, known as the Charismatic Renewal. Thankfully, God doesn't give up on us when we give up on God, or choose lesser gods. Blessings on your time with God's beloved children in beautiful Norway, my dear Norwegian sister.
Dear Jan,
I am working to move beyond thanks, like I might say to someone who held the door for me, to gratitude for the One who gave His life for me. My Lord deserves my praise and full recognition of His love for me, and in some ways it's a shame I need to be reminded, but I appreciate that you did. Blessings, Dale
Yes, words sometimes fail, but they still matter. And the life you and Marty have lived are a thank you to God. I, like Jud, often sensed God's love for us through your friendship. As for reminders, we all need them, now and then. Sending love to you and Marty, and giving gratitude to God for his love and for your friendship. Not on par, God's love and your friendship, but a tangible gift from God to us via your friendship over many years. And, on this Memorial Day, thank you for your service during the Viet Nam war, dear Dale.
Thank you for reflecting all God has for us healing, Joy, Love and growth.
And thank you, dear Huntley and Tom, for being a big part of the love, joy, healing and growth going on at Christ Church. You're a
blessing to the children, a worthy successor to Naomi's great work with young families and children. May the Jesus you love and serve continue to bless you and Tom and the good work you do here and in Haiti.
Yes, I needed to be reminded of this today….and yes, you are dearly loved by more than just the Lord, including me! Always….always gain so much from your godly wisdom and words.
Thank you, very dear Linda. So good to see your name show up. Yes, we all need booster shots of Holy Hope! My God's Spirit energize, encourage and equip you for whatever you must "faith" this day and in the days ahead.
Jan,
Thank you for putting last Sunday’s joyful service into words for us to experience all over again. What a gift you are to all of us at Christ Church!
I also felt the Holy Hubbub and it was just glorious!
And you, dear Kali, are such a wonderful part of the ministry Christ Church has to children and their families. I'm so grateful to you and Jim for all you bring to Christ Church and beyond this place. And welcome to the blog. Thanks for your encouraging words.
So good Jan! Last night my heart was so heavy as I left for my daily walk around the block - one of my favorite times to talk with Jesus. And He put on my heavy heart the old song "He's got the whole world in His Hands...." - I just started singing verse after verse: The itty bitty baby, the boys and the girls, ... my children and grandchildren, my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, my friends and neighbors, His pastors and preachers, and even our politicians. May He draw all of our hearts to His own and make us into vessels He can use to spread His love all over this whole world! He's not surprised by what's going on, but I'm quite sure His heart is broken over it too. Much love dear Jan!!
So good, dear Wendy. I just posted a new blog, The Soundtrack of My Life. Yours, for sure, will include, He's Got The Whole World In His Hanfs. Keep singing. The devil hates uplifting, praise to God music!