"Like it or not!" Those are the words still ringing in our ears from our wonderful visit with Bishop Bob Schaefer. Usually those words have more of a negative connotation: "You have to do this...like it or not" or "Another snow storm is coming...like it or not." (That's for the benefit of our northern friends). :-) But, for us this weekend, these were nothing but grace filled words, in a grace filled weekend.
What I'm referring to is Bishop Schaefer's quoting a seminary professor who suggested that after each Baptism, where we hear words of promise, forgiveness, of unconditional love and God's claim on us as a child of God, and that following the words, "In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit", it would be fitting to hear also, "Like it or not!" That's how wide and great God's love is for us...even when we are rebellious or doubting or in a dark place...like it or not...God's love for us is there. What a great promise, what a great reminder.
And this past weekend really was filled with love, grace and mercy in all kinds of ways: from the great visit with our Bishop, our worship together, our Sunday School time with him with both kids and adults, and all capped off by the awesome and packed Lenoir-Rhyne University concert Sunday evening. Thank you to the cooks, the servers, and the host families!
To add one more quote to the day..."It just doesn't get any better than this!" Many thanks to all. Enjoy some pictures below.
And remember, God loves you and has claimed you as His own... "like it or not". See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl +
The Bible readings this coming Sunday are for everyone who feels half dead, for everyone who sees death everywhere, as well as for everyone who is afraid to even think about death. Come to worship, to receive the breath of the Spirit, to hear the voice of Christ, to be fed at the table, and to celebrate the life God gives.
