Heat Wave

Officially a heat wave is temperatures in the nineties for five consecutive days (or is it three?). But in my corner of the planet, it's a heat wave whenever it goes over ninety, or even eighty-five for that matter. If you take it I don't like the heat--you take it right! I had enough of that stuff when I lived in Georgia and North Carolina. That's why I live up in the great white north now!

I guess the heat's alright for some things (swimming and going to the air-conditioned movie theater, for two). But today was just a day to hide out from the heat in the frozen food section of the market!

I fret over the heat when it comes on the weekend especially. Because I think it will affect worship attendance in a negative way. The heat has a tendency to lure people to the beach or lake, to encourage them to hide out in air-conditioning, and to strengthen their decisions to pursue various sporting and or social obligations. Snow works the same way--go figure.

The "regulars" will be there of course. They are every week--wouldn't miss it! If only that were as catchy as these mosquito viruses being spread in some communities. If only people would keep the Sabbath holy by making church a priority, and not a fall back position. I hold up the woman in today's gospel as a model. She was there in the synagogue every time--despite the fact that she was stooped over with some ailment. Despite the fact that her illness made her unclean and so she couldn't really even go in the synagogue. She was a regular. She wouldn't miss it! Making the day holy through her persistence and faith and presence.

Tomorrow is a healing service, farewell and Godspeed for the McKinleys, so it's a day when your presence is especially needed. Come on! It's at best four hours out of the day--twenty left for swimming or reading the paper. Sure it'll be hot, but it will also be cool--because I believe that our responsibility is to make worship meaningful and a pleasure.

Remember--you can't have church without "U". :'}

Chew on that in Christ's name.
Pastor Tom