Monthly Message | June

“Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?” — Isaiah 43:19 (CEB)

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’” — Revelation 21:5 (NRSVUE)

Aging has been on mind recently. I have had a number of older people who are dealing with health issues say to me, jokingly, “Don’t ever get old!” As if that is a choice!

I also continue to watch my sons spend a good deal of time with their friends — either playing basketball or just running around at a park. These are young people who are in high school or will be starting college in the fall; and others are in middle school. I can’t help but think — and maybe be a little envious — about how they appear to be living life so freely and they have so much of their lives to look forward to.

There is a saying that “Age is a state of mind.” I think, in many ways, that is true, especially as we live out our lives of faith in Jesus. When I think of some of the challenges our church — 

St. Mark — is facing right now, the biggest thing I see and hear about most is the property, the physical structure. Our beloved church building continues to get older (it is nearly 142 years old!). It isn’t shiny and new with the latest bells and whistles. Just like our physical bodies as we become older, it is showing its age in some places and needs some help — new doors, paint, etc.

What isn’t showing signs of age, however, is the church’s heart, its spirit, the soul of this community. This community continues to be one that is lively, loving, looking for new ways to help and show God’s love in the world. It is thankful and always looking for the “new” that God’s Holy Spirit brings and shows us.

The new that God brings is what God did through Jesus Christ. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus means we have new life with God now and forever. God is present with us; we have God’s Holy Spirit in us, and we have God’s mercy and love always. We are new each day with God.

“God Is Doing a New Thing” is the theme for this year’s Allegheny Synod Assembly, which is June 20. God is, indeed, doing new things in our synod, in our region, in this community of

St. Mark that each of you, each of us is invited to be a part of, regardless of your age! Some have participated in talking about new ways the congregations in our region can do ministry together. Some have met to think about what St. Mark may want to do over the next few years. All are always invited to share anything “new” with me and with each other!

No matter your age, you have a “new” that burns inside you — Holy Spirit. You are made new each day through Jesus Christ. God is doing a new thing. Thanks be to God, and we can be thankful that God allows us and encourages us to be part of it.

Pastor David