Come! Intervene. Ignite our world. Set things right.
Comfort! Forgive. Restore. Be present.
And this week, Create!
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. Isaiah 65:17-18
Isaiah 65 is the passage that sings of the shalom for which we are yearning – peace, long life, enjoying our work and its fruit, peace, stability, celebration, and more peace. I love these words from Cornelius Plantinga:
In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights.
The rest of the world strives to make such a future, but Isaiah reminds us that such flourishing, wholeness and delight is created only by Yahweh. And so this upcoming week we will ask the Lord create this shalom in our lives, our neighborhoods, our nation, and our world.
Remember you can join us in prayer via Zoom on Tuesday at noon for Midday Prayer and on Thursday at 8pm for Compline. Visit iachurch.org for the links and prayers.
As I mentioned in my recent email, in-person worship is still on hold for this week. We will be livestreaming our Third Sunday of Advent service at 10am, confident that we’ve resolved the connection issues you experienced last week.
Finally, please be sure to scroll down in The Weekly to read the important announcement from your Junior Warden and Chair of the Nominating Committee, Randy Murch. The vestry terms of service for Randy, Debbie Fucello, and Bill Harding end in January, so it’s time for us pray for and nominate three new vestry members. Read below for details on this important part of our life together!
Your Pastor in Christ,
Travis+