Slideshow image

Photo by Sam Bark on Unsplash 

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

When we kicked off our listening sessions in 2019 to hear your voices as we planned for the future, we had no idea what was ahead in 2020. We listened for God’s leading in the way we should go. We determined that being a neighborhood church focused on faith based community partnerships serving those beyond our walls was our first calling. We had no concept of how long we would be waiting to formulate our plan or how we would innovate and implement virtual ministry at warp speed. 

We have been through so much and a lot has changed in the world and in our churches. Turmoil in the world continues far and near with the Delta variant raging, a devastating earthquake in Haiti, Afghanistan ravaged by the Taliban, and wildfires burning in California. We lift fervent prayers and will dedicate our Sunday Hunger Jars in upcoming weeks to help through Lutheran Disaster Response. 

We continue to seek God’s leading in our ever changing and challenging world. We count on God’s presence and pray for God’s strength so we do not become weary but look ahead with hope and anticipation of our new future.  When I chose this special prayer attributed to Martin Luther to guide our listening sessions and planning, these words have taken on new significance. We must faithfully listen for God as we make decisions about our church in light of the impact COVID has had on our community. Please join me in this prayer each morning when you wake and embrace God’s promises in Isaiah 40:31: 

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Check out this choral rendition of “On Eagle’s Wings” based on Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40.

Waiting on the Lord, Pastor Andrea