Celebrating Milestones and the Journey Ahead
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
(Psalm 90:1-2, NASB)
As I prepare this message it is the eve, of the eve, of my birthday. It is rare that I delve into that which is purely personal but I decided to do so today. This message will also contain some of my favorite and meaningful bible passages. The verses above were words I read each day, along with the rest of the psalm, when I was on a short-term mission trip a few years ago in Ecuador. It’s familiarity kept me grounded and holding on to the promise that God is with us wherever we may be.
My thanks to all for the special birthday wishes a couple of weeks ago. Milestones birthdays are something to celebrate and it was so joyful to be able to celebrate it with my children, grands, and Lakeshore family. And family is a fitting description of how I perceive my relationship with each of you.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20, NASB)
Over the past forty years, even before I started formal training at Golden Gate Seminary, I have been involved in education ministry, either on staff or as a volunteer. It is my calling and wherever I have found myself it is the place where my time and talent is given. It is the way in which I live out the verse above and a most appropriate way in which to be “retired.” In this way, at least ministry wise, I have come full circle in this continuing life journey.
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:1, 16-17)
After my breast cancer surgery I had to go in for radiation therapy. The doctor was explaining the possibilities of what might happen, not would, but might. At one point he mentioned damage to the heart, but it was not until he said something about the vocal cords I had questions and real concerns. Music, songs, no matter what genre in which they may be found, is a means sometimes of expressing emotions that cannot be spoken; to speak (sing?) truth to power. Although not a formal student of music, my faith journey has provided me the opportunity be in a variety of cultural settings and pick up many different hymns and spiritual songs along the way. To be able to share and connect through music is something for which I am grateful.
So again, “thank you” for walking with me through this leg of my journey and may we be able to experience more of what God has to show to each of us of what it means to be a loving and sharing faith community.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Carolyn
Upcoming Meetings
Saturday, August 27
9:00 AM LABC Reads
10:00 AM Time for Prayer with Rev. Sydney Webster
Sunday, August 28
10:00 AM Worship
11:45 AM Forum (Bible Study Class will meet with Forum) – Report from participants in the 1619 Project theological reflection class.
Tuesday, August 30
6:00 PM – Bible Study – Beginning Pride Month book study, Changing Our Mind, by David Gushee (contact Pastor Jim for a copy of the book)
Wednesday, August 31
10:30 AM – Prayer and Bible Study (see Tuesday above)
Thursday, September 1
6:00 AM – Together in Spirit (resumes, I Timothy 5 and 6)
Lakeshore ZOOM Information
Online: https://zoom.us/j/8599095914
Dial-in: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 859 909 5914
Password: 192833
One tap mobile: +16699009128
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