From the Pastor

Our Faithful Creator
(Genesis 9:8-17)

One of my fondest memories of family trips in the car with our kids Sarah and Joel was what happened AFTER we drove through a deluge on the highway. We’d pass through the storm with sunshine ahead while dark angry clouds continued to drop rain behind us. Someone would spot a rainbow on the horizon. “Look… it’s a rainbow!” they would say. Everyone would immediately turn to marvel at this miracle of water and light glistening in the afternoon sun.

Ever stopped to consider how differently we might envision the relationship between humanity and nature WITHOUT Noah, WITHOUT the animals, WITHOUT the ark, and WITHOUT the rainbow? Without the rainbow after that terrible flood, we might be inclined to believe we’re all on our own in fending off the chaos of the physical world…or that the unwanted biopsy result, the challenge of economic hardship, when it comes, is all on US. Without the account of the ark God commanded Noah to build, we would miss out on yet another example of God’s overarching desire to rescue humanity from itself. And without Noah and the animals, we wouldn’t have an account of God-directed stewardship of the natural world.

The rainbow is now a sign of God’s covenant, God’s promise to Himself, that the entire natural world was not only something to be created… but preserved and cared for. Yes, all creation, and even our physical bodies, still cry out for redemption (Rom. 8:22-23)! But right here, right now, we can not only give thanks to God and live in gratitude for the manifold gifts we receive from God’s hand (our earth’s natural resources, our possessions, our health, our abilities, our relationships, and the list goes on). We can take active steps to make the most of these gifts and seek God’s wisdom to share what God has entrusted to us for the greater good and the spread of His kingdom work here below.

Many, many thanks to all of you for your generosity in supporting God’s work at Resurrection Lutheran Church through our general fund. As of this writing, the “gap” we saw between our expected budgeted income and actual income for the last fiscal year (July 2023 to June 2024) is gone! It even appears that our actual income will be a little higher than expected! For the final figures, check out the weekly announcements. But as is so often the case, when our church family knows the need, they always step up. I’m so grateful to all of you for your stewardship of God’s gifts that allow us to go about the work we are privileged to do.

To the One who is always sufficient for our needs be all glory and praise! Now and forever.

Peace and joy in Christ,
Pastor Jonathan