Rector’s Update: Sabbatical Start!
Hi Restoration,
“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD. For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap what grows of itself in your harvest, or gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It shall be a year of solemn rest for the land. The Sabbath of the land shall provide food for you…” (Leviticus 25: 2-6)
It has given me great joy to preach this series on Vocation in the Light. So many good conversations have sprung up from the content as we all remember our interruptions, as we listen for God’s voice, as we respond to His calling, and as we do the work He has for us. Thank you for your encouragement back to me that these messages have been helpful. Your words have been great gifts.
We are not done! I am even more excited about what the next month holds in this series:
First, we are going to have three ‘guest’ preachers who are more like family: Steve Garber, Kate Harris, and Bill Haley. They will take the themes of vocation that I introduced and talk about them more deeply and practically from their own context. I look forward to what you will hear!
Second, this Sunday, February 5th, The Porter’s Gate will release their most recent album of songs about vocation, work, labor, and lament. We sang one of them last Sunday and it has been running through my head ever since: slow me down.
Amen. Yes, Lord.
The doors will open at 6:45. The evening of music and prayer begins at 7pm. We are expecting a very full house. You must register to guarantee a seat. Totally free, but you need to do it. Just takes a minute. We will be checking at the door.
I am grateful to Isaac and the way he uses the gifts God has given him. These words and this music stir up deep things in our soul. We long for meaningful labor and we long for restorative rest. I look forward to this evening together.
Sabbatical starts tomorrow…
Thank you for the good work I get to do as your rector. I have learned so much about myself and I have found great satisfaction- leading you in worship and loving our neighbors.
Tomorrow I will turn on my email ‘out of office’ responder. It will list the people you can contact for the needs that might arise. Our team is ready to serve you as they already do with excellence. One of my sabbatical gifts will be an empty inbox when I return. I won’t see anything you send me after today. So reach out again in April!
Thank you for this sabbatical.
Pray that God uses it to restore my soul, to renew my calling, and to refresh my vision.
See you on Palm Sunday,
-David
