A worship preview from Pastor Laurel

Jack-in-the-box

I have often quoted a word from the Lord shared by the prophet Isaiah (43:18-19): “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” I’ve used those verses in many different contexts, but the original meaning may be the most powerful one for Pencader Presbyterian Church right now. This prophecy was given after the people of Israel had been displaced from their home and forced into exile. It dates to the same period as Psalm 137: “By the waters of Babylon – there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.”  The people were remembering “the former things.” Their grief over the loss of so much of their familiar and beloved “things of old” was obvious and entirely understandable.

Yet the Lord tells them to forget all that. There’s something new that’s just out of sight below the horizon.

God is ready to spring a “new thing” on the world with all the enthusiastic energy and surprise of a divine-plan jack-in-the-box bursting out of its containment. And God asks: “Can’t you tell? Don’t you feel the tension in the spring as I’m turning the handle of world events? Can’t you see what’s going on? Wait until you catch on to what I’m about to do! I’ve got wonderful changes planned for you. If you can’t see them yet, they’ll pop into view any moment now.”

It reminds me of an old, non-biblical adage: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”  Darkness can be frightening. And the darker it is, the more disoriented we are as we try to find our way through it. But as we stumble around, we can always try to remember that a new day will dawn. That’s the theme of our worship this Sunday: “Awaiting the Dawn.” It’s all about how we get through those times of deep darkness – times of hopelessness, discouragement, endings, loss, or even death. It’s important to keep slogging our way through until the sun rises and light returns.

I promise, and God promises, that a new day will dawn for each and every one of Pencader’s people. Maybe it’s not yet visible; maybe it hasn’t yet burst over the horizon – but it’s there. That new thing that God has planned will come. In fact, it’s already on its way. If we believe that, have faith that it exists, and look for it, maybe God will open the eyes of our heart to perceive a new and wonderful God-planned “something” for all of us.

Pencader's Vision

We answer God’s call to make disciples,
meet human needs and worship God.

Choir

Choir usually rehearses on Saturday morning at 9 A.M. with Melinda Benson in the Social Hall. See our upcoming events calendar. New singers are always welcome.

THESE DAYS

is a booklet of Daily Devotions for Living By Faith and has been made available through the generous contribution of a Pencader member. Pick-up a copy on the table at the church door. These booklets have been ordered and will be in soon.

3 RECOVERY GROUPS ARE WOVEN INTO PENCADER'S FABRIC.

Sundays, 7 P.M. AA meets in the Gathering House

Mondays, 7P.M. AA meets in the Gathering House

Fridays, 7 P.M. AA meets in the Fellowship Hall

Visit our church at www.pencaderchurch.org

Laurel Brundage, Pastor

Melinda Benson, Director of Music

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Sandy Averitt, Clerk of Session

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