Pastor's Weekly Word

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. (Psalm 146:1-2)

Psalm 146 is the assigned morning psalm in the daily lectionary, a mapped out plan for reading through scripture on a daily basis (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/daily/). The first two verses alone are captivating enough, painting the picture of a person that never stops praising.  Is it possible to praise God for an entire life? The only answer I can come up with is to say I don’t know. The idea of it, however, grabs my heart and makes me want to try.

I have a lot to be grateful for after all. I pastor an amazing church of amazing people. We have an incredible staff and life changing ministry. We are completing a highly successful campaign together, raising over $2.7 million and, as of Sunday, has resulted in $114,048 already given. There are so many things to be thankful for.

Additionally, many of you know that I will be taking a sabbatical from June 2 – August 18. This is a first for me, something I’ve never been able to do. I would be more nervous about it if I thought the church wasn’t going to be in good hands while I’m gone, but you will be. Just to help you know, Chris and Ellen are sharing the administrative and preaching load. Chris will be taking June, Ellen July, and they will share August. I must say that I am starting to look forward to it.

Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for. We are a healthy church at a time when many churches are really struggling. Yes we have our struggles too, but God has richly blessed us with the gift of each other, something that gives me pause and makes me want to praise the Lord like the psalmist does, my whole life long.