2026-06-17
Brooke Strong
This Sunday, I will be away from the pulpit, and we will have the gift of hearing from Rev. Judy Bagley-Bonner as she preaches from Ecclesiastes 3:1–8.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is “a time for every matter under heaven.” There are seasons of planting and seasons of gathering, seasons of mourning and seasons of dancing, seasons of silence and seasons of speech. Part of the wisdom of faith is learning to notice the season we are in and to listen for God’s presence within it.
One of the best ways we can prepare ourselves to hear the Word on Sunday is by spending time with Scripture during the week. Worship is not meant to be our only encounter with the Bible. When we read Scripture regularly, even slowly and imperfectly, we begin to recognize its rhythms. We hear echoes we might otherwise miss. We arrive on Sunday with hearts already listening.
So this summer, I encourage you to make Scripture part of your ordinary life. Read the lesson before Sunday. Sit with a psalm in the morning. Revisit the Gospel after worship. Ask what word, phrase, image, or question stays with you. The goal is not to master Scripture, but to let the Scripture keep forming us.
I also hope you will pay attention to the many ways you can engage in the life of the congregation this summer. Worship is central, but it is not the only place where community is built and faith takes root. Look for opportunities to serve, learn, gather, pray, volunteer, and connect. Join in where you can. Try something new. Make room for relationships to deepen.
There is a time to listen, and a time to grow. A time to receive the Word, and a time to live it together.
I am grateful that Rev. Judy will be with you this Sunday, and I look forward to being back with you the following week as we return to the lectionary Gospel readings.
Until then, may God meet you in this season, whatever it holds.
-Pastor Michael
Reflection Questions for the Week
- What season of life do you find yourself in right now, and what might God be inviting you to notice in it?
- What Scripture passage, phrase, image, or question has stayed with you recently?
- What is one way you could engage more deeply in the life of the congregation this summer?