Is This the Air I Breathe?

Dear Friends, Guests, and Members,

Twenty-four years back or so, the United Church of Christ (UCC) launched a “God is Still Speaking” campaign to highlight the adopted motto, a Gracie Allen quote:

“Never place a period where God has placed a comma.”

The idea being, of course, that God still speaks in our contemporary context, in our modern world. I don't think the brokenness of our world changes this reality. There are points of light all over despite the darkness, and I believe that our congregation is one of them.

The question morphs, however. It's not about whether God can still speak but whether we can listen. Do we hear the generative voice of the Creator, calling us to care for creation? Do we hear the “still, small voice” of 1 Kings 19:11–12? Are the whisperings of God the Spirit something we’re attuned to? Do the words of the Word, Jesus, affirm that we who have ears should hear? 

Another thought: Is the air that we breathe a fit representation of what God breathed into us, enlivening us? And are we still receiving that breath, the breath Jesus breathed upon his followers, the disciples? (John 20:22). Are we inhaling not only air that oxygenates our brains and bodies, but the air that is the life God intended we have so that we may live? Again, something to consider.

The links between our lived planet, our publicly formed and used spaces and built environments, and our interrelatedness to all things is not only real but deserves focused consideration. Otherwise, it slips into the background of our experience to become a diluted part of the water we swim in. We are as oblivious to the breath of connection as fish are their water—until we taken out of water and gasp to breathe. Awareness of the sacredness of life and breath is desperately needed in times such as we now live in.

Today, our church community will explore these themes through both our usual worship hour and through the experience of Holy Communion, animating our spiritual communion! All who believe or want to believe in the Christ who offers himself once for all are welcome. Our sharing of broken bread and red juice symbolically names the importance of the Author and FInisher of our faith—Jesus! Let’s worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Grace and Peace,

Pr Greg