Joy Together Sunday, Part 2
Joy Together Sunday, Part Two
One way of describing joy is that it’s the way we feel when we are with someone who is glad to be with us. Becca and I just returned from two wonderful weeks with very dear friends in Holland that we haven’t seen in years. We were so glad to be together, it felt like we'd never been apart! We laughed together, cried together, prayed for our families, told stories, shared wonderful meals and long walks, and basked in the blessing of God’s good gift of our friendship. Here’s a picture I love that captures our happiness together:
It felt like we had a taste of what the Psalmist expressed in his song about the restoration of Jerusalem and how the Jewish people feel to be gathered together in the heart of their promised land: our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy, and we said among the nations “the Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” (Psalm 126).
God is very glad to be with us. As our liturgy says, “he created us for himself.” However, as it continues, we sinned and broke the relationship for which we were created. Yet, as hard as it is to believe, God remained glad to be with us and became like us to repair the damage. That is why Jesus’ other name “Immanuel” is so special for us: he is God with us. His death on the cross shows us that his capacity to be with us knows no bounds and even now, he is preparing a place for us where our joy will know no end.
Experiencing joy together is one of the purposes and gifts of gathering together in worship, and a source of compassion and mission to our neighbors. This Sunday, we'll explore this theme together and practice some skills for amplifying joy.
After a few weeks away, I'll be glad to be with you!
Steve Engstrom+
What is a “Joy Together” Sunday?—find the answer here.
Keith Tobin
After serving Redeemer faithfully and well for over four years years, Keith Tobin has resigned as Redeemer’s part-time Music Director in order to to give himself more fully to his full-time (and very demanding) work with The Maryland State Boychoir. Keith has worked hard to build a culture of heartily singing good music that has powerfully shaped our worship together, and we will miss him very much. Thank you, Keith!
Bishop Julian Episcopal Visitation—Sunday, June 18
Maundy Thursday Service—April 6, 6:30PM
Good Friday Service—April 7, 6:30PM
Holy Saturday Service—April 8, noon on Zoom