Dearly beloved,

This week’s theme is Praise & Thanksgiving (each week’s themes arise from the favorite hymns to be sung – see this week’s hymns below). Our readings are Philippians 4:4-9 and John 16:20-24 which invite us to dwell in joy.

Paul writes: “rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice”. (Phil. 4:4) There are times in which this always sounds like the Bobby McFerrin song “don’t worry, be happy” (be careful in listing to it as it has a tendency to become an earworm). This song is echoed in verse 6 with “do not be anxious about anything”. Rejoice, don’t worry?? Easier said than done! Whether we are paying attention to the news or dealing with our own struggles, these words seem little else than platitudes, hollow and meaningless, little more than earworms themselves.

Yet Paul is writing this from prison – a place of very little joy or happiness and much to worry about – and still we are invited to “rejoice”. But not just a simple expression of happiness, but to rejoice in the Lord” Our joy has its foundation in Christ.

Join us for worship this week as we explore this and the Gospel passages further. Read and prayer over them. Check out my Substack reflections which offer additional information as well as a couple different translation (Rejoice always)

Rejoice always

See you Sunday – in person or online
peace in Christ, Pastor Jen