November 2023
SEASONS
Fall has made itself known here in Iowa. The leaves are turning, and the colors are spectacular. Along with that we feel the first signs of winter as the northern cold reaches our fair city. All of this God put in place.
Genesis 1:11-19
11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
The Church also has its seasons. We are walking into the last weeks of the church year. We are about to celebrate All Saints Day. On this day we remember the faithful departed. The Saints that have finished their time here on earth and now rest from all their labors. I can’t help but feel a little jealous. I try to imagine what the new Heaven and Earth will be like. Holy Scripture gives us something to hold onto.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
I look forward with great anticipation to that wondrous day when we will all be called home, but before that day let us celebrate the day we have together now with one another. All Saints Day isn’t just about the faithful who have been called home. It is about All Saints, that means you and me. The ones who stand on this earth now. If I have learned anything about the ones who have been called home, it is that I need to treasure the ones around me now. I want to tell you all how much I love you and appreciate you. I can only encourage you all to do the same. Take time to gather, reach out to one another. Go and have a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Doughnuts are good, LOL, not to mention pies, scones, hot dogs... O’ the list goes on. Find time, make time, make up reasons to gather… Isn’t today “take a group selfie with your favorite coffee cup day” if not, I declare it. I tried to start “take a group selfie of Chicago Cubs fans in St Louis,” but I was the only one who showed up, but did that stop me… NO, lol.
Psalm 188:24
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Rejoice and be glad, now that’s a day I can get behind.
God bless you today and always.
Pastor Quick.
