Rector’s Update: Responding to the Lord
Pictured above: The Visitation by James B. Janknegt, 2008
Dear Restoration,
Today the Church remembers the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. ‘At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.’ (Luke 1:41, NLT)
Doesn’t this painting by Jim Janknegt express it so well? I love the joy of John leaping!
Mary responds with language that echoes our sermon and study of Psalm 104 this week: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (Luke 1:46b-47, NLT)
What are you telling your soul to do today? As you bless the Lord (like John did in Elizabeth’s womb!) may you have grace to sing, to meditate on His words, and to hunger for righteousness by confessing your sin. We join with Mary, with Elizabeth, with John, and whole Church: Bless the Lord oh my soul.
A Collect for The Visitation
Almighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with the blessed Virgin Mary and greeted her as the mother of the Lord: Look with favor on your lowly servants, that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy Name and rejoice to acclaim her Son as our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen!
Vestry Update
Our vestry gathered in the chancel area last night to bless the Lord. We sang songs. We read from Psalm 119. We prayed for our church. It was very good.
Then we headed downstairs to fellowship hall for our May meeting. The vestry is working hard on our Fy24 budget. We are dreaming about some big goals towards which the Lord is leading us: a new church plant, additional staff, changes to our building to accommodate all the wonderful ministry that happens on Quincy Street, and growth of our Clergy Development program. At one point we paused in the middle of our discussion to pray and say thank you to God for the resources He has given us to steward and to ask for wisdom to do it well. Restoration has a strong vestry. I thank God for them all the time.
Parish Meeting this Sunday, June 4th at 12:45pm
You will get to hear from our vestry this Sunday at our parish meeting. I hope you will stick around after the 11 or come back from the 9 or come early for the 4:30! The meeting will about 45 minutes and we will have childcare for kids 5th grade and below.
We want to tell you about our plans for the summer:
- I am taking the second half of my sabbatical (July 1-September 3)
- Restoration will offer a College Fellowship for students who are in and starting college (Wednesdays at 7:30pm!)
- Kickball Tournament and Picnic!!!! (July 23rd)
- Ways you can help us fill the staff positions we are seeking to hire!
- A financial update from our co-treasurers
- Next Steps for The Evening Service and a new Restoration campus that is west of us: RestoWest!
Hope to see you on Sunday!
Two Opportunities to Connect to the Needs of the World
“His mighty arm has done tremendous things!” (Luke 1:51, NLT)
Tomorrow night, June 1, our team of high school students, who are serving in Nogales, Mexico this summer, will be hosting Nogales Noche from 7-9pm. It will be a blast! Great good, fun games, good stories, and a silent auction to help fund their financial needs. Everyone is invited!
Then, next Thursday, June 8, from 6-8pm, Restoration is hosting a dinner for The Anglican Relief and Development Fund. Delicious food. Live music. An opportunity to hear from an organization with whom Restoration has deep ties of partnership. All our welcome to attend.
I am excited to be eating in Fellowship Hall on the next two Thursdays!
Dinner? Check!
You are warmly invited to join me.
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
-David
