09/04/2026
Hello Friends,
This Sunday’s lectionary readings for our sister congregation, St. Paul's EC Church - Rothsville, begin in a frightening place. Israel is gathered in their homes on the eve of the Passover, knowing something terrible is coming but not knowing what the road ahead will hold. Yet they know this: God has made a promise, and God has provided a sacrifice (Exodus 12:1–14). Their peace comes from trusting that God has already acted on their behalf. As I looked through this week's readings, that passage felt closest to where we've been this week. This is the last Sunday before Christe begins whole-brain radiation, so we've been trying to spend some intentional time together as a family. We also set up a little recording studio in our basement so she can make songs and videos for our girls. The first one we posted this week was a cover of Ryann Darling’s “I Choose You,” a song Christe’s sister Joy sang at our wedding reception in the Philippines (link below). One of its lines says, “When the sky is falling, I promise you I’m all in.” Even as we were singing it, I was slightly distracted by how differently that line lands this week. Love doesn't promise that the sky will never fall, and Christian hope doesn't promise that frightening nights will never come. Our hope is found in surrender to God and trust in His provision. Israel gathered around the Passover lamb because God had promised deliverance. This Sunday we gather around the Communion table because the sacrifice for us has already been offered in Jesus Christ. We come trusting what God has already provided in Jesus and looking forward to that coming feast on the other side of all the sin and death of this life.
That's what I want to remember as we worship together. Before we knew what trials we would face, Christ had already given Himself for us. Before we knew what any particular night would hold, the resurrection had already declared where history is going. Paul says, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Romans 13:12). There may still be some very dark nights before that Day fully arrives, but darkness is already on its way out. And Jesus promises His Church, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). So when we gather Sunday, we're not simply leading songs for a congregation. We are helping people gather around Jesus in the middle of whatever night they happen to be facing. You're doing that for my family. Together we'll come to the Table: bread and cup, a sacrifice already offered, a Savior already risen, and a Lord present among His people. That's where our peace comes from. Christe and I don't know everything the weeks ahead will contain, but we know Jesus has already given Himself for us, and we know the morning is coming. Whatever night you may be walking through yourself, come ready to drink deeply from that same hope this Sunday. As Romans reminds us, “the hour has come for [us] to wake from sleep” (Romans 13:11). It's almost morning, friends. See you there.
For Christ and His Gospel,
-tim
video: https://youtu.be/LA9Ia3-lwio?si=KerpfVzXTvu-6WK1
