Hello beloved,

God’s Love

May kindness flow – like water – through you

May your toil bring, the seeds of Love to you

May the breath of God rush – to comfort you

May the warmth of the Son gently cover you

May God’s Love be the gift, we seek and give

Amen

I pray you are all feeling the gift of God’s Love today and every day. I wanted to start my letter this way as poems, to me, are a wonderful expression of faith and how I enjoy the sabbath. That time of respite and recovery. That gift from God where we simply rest and worship. Yet, we do not always do this “resting” – well – do we? At least, most protestants fall into this trap of not resting. Instead, we rush around and do more and more because worshiping God is our passion and joy and because it just needs to be done. We rush around until we simply crash and can do nothing more. I have seen people get to this point where worship itself is just too much to do and it becomes just another thing, another expectation, another duty.

But this path is not how God Creates us. We are created to rest as well as toil. To be revived in the joy of worship and fellowship on the sabbath. So, we will all be re-energized for the week ahead.

Still, “things must get done.” I hear these words and your thoughts – beloved, especially all of you who are involved in all the ministries of this church. The roughly thirty to forty of you who help in everything, I hear you and witness your exhaustion. And I hope the other seventy to eighty souls of our community who are not involved – who have sat back in rest for so long – who do not share their voice in our fellowship will step forward to give you a rest as well. I hope these souls will join us in our church ministries even if it is in a new way because they cannot physically be in church. But for now – today – it is the sabbath. Nothing needs to get done on this last Sunday in August.

Therefore, simply rest and worship God in your heart, if not in your body. Rest, rejuvenate, and let the worry of things that “need to get done” – drift away. God will provide what we truly need and what we need is for all of you to find some well-deserved rest in these fading summer days.

With all of God’s Love, I pray you take today to fully rest in the way which re-energizes your soul.

Many blessings of love,

your pastor and teacher, Brian

During the summer, let us consider and remember how to love God each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day – even rest can be an action. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.