Scott's Weekly Greeting, June 26, 2020

Author: Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
June 26, 2020

Scott's Weekly Greeting ...

As of Thursday (6/25), I have walked this earth for fifty-seven years. Wow! As I lay in bed last night, counting sheep and trying to sleep, I pondered the year gone by. Year number fifty-six was quite a year. It was a year in which I experienced nearly every emotion that a human can.

I said 'goodbye' to a church and a community that I loved dearly. And I said 'hello' to a church and community that I am growing to love more and more each day.

We went through the stress and anxiety of Renee's cancer diagnosis, surgery and radiation. And we experienced the joy of learning that she is cancer free.

I had the wonder of celebrating Christmas with my new congregation ... and then ... COVID-19. We did not have the wonderful 'hosannas' of Palm Sunday or the 'hallelujahs' of Easter. At least not in any way that we had ever imagined.

I have led live-streamed virtual worship for fourteen weeks, and I have seen the way our amazing staff and volunteers have pulled together to provide meaningful worship services and ministries for our church family.

We have gathered differently but we have continued to answer the call of Christ and served our community.
We have remained physically distant, but remain united by God's Holy Spirit.
We have not sung together but we have not lost our voice. We continue to stand and speak out for peace and love, justice and equality.

During trying times, we may want to sing songs of lament for all that we have lost or missed. We may moan and groan under the weight of our struggles. And then ... we remember our blessings.

Even in the midst of difficult days, we still experience beauty. Even as we push the stone up a seemingly endless mountain, we realize that we are not alone. God's love is steadfast and true. God is ever-faithful.

Yes, there were painful days during year fifty-six, but they were greatly outnumbered by days filled with support and loving-kindness. There were sad days, but there were many more days overflowing with joy. And there was never a day in which God was not with me.

This Sunday in worship, we will gather in God's loving Presence. We may be physically separated, but our hearts will be as one. The message will focus upon Psalm 13, a prayer of transformation.

God bless you all,
Scott

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