May 2007

From the Pastor

Dear Co-laborers with Christ,

In the beginning was the Word. But what about the end? Perhaps the surest observation about the end of the world is that it will be part of God’s mystery, just as it was at the beginning.

Nevertheless, when we neglect thoughtful consideration of the end times, we are perhaps missing he point that the way we view the end influences the way we live our lives now. The end matters, often in a profound and enlivening mix of the practical and idealistic. And yet eschatology (the study of the end times) is usually treated as the domain of either professional theologians or novelists and screenwriters. The conversation is frequently clouded by fears of a violent God choosing the blessed for heaven and leaving the rest of us behind.

There is a different vision – one that starts with you and me as agents of God’s reconciling hope. It is a vision that may be hard to see: a city upon a hill where unity reigns, where enemies bury their swords, and where we understand that Christ came for the sins of the whole world, not just a few. 

This vision of fulfillment has power. Thinking about the end gives us the chance to remember that God’s future is unfinished. The kingdom is yet to come. And so in the knowledge that it will come, and that we will play a unique role in bringing it about, we live in joy and in hard work becoming partners in divine mystery. We build up. We love all. We integrate. We reject hatred and bigotry. We address our every thought and action to God.

 The readings that are designated in our worship during the season of Easter include a sequence from the Book of Revelation. These will be the basic texts for my sermons in May, looking to God’s future, guided by God’s word.

 Being created in God’s image and love brings a paradox of great comfort and great responsibility. The final word is love – a love that extends the invitation of God’s fullness of life to all. This was true in the beginning, and it will be true in the end. In the beginning, God. At the end, God. The alpha and the omega.

See you in church!

Faithfully, your pastor,

B. Penrose Hoover

From the Associate Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

First and foremost, my family and I want to thank you for your Easter cards.  It is a blessing to know that we are remembered by our family here at Grace.  We hope and pray that your Easter celebration was a blessing to your life, and that you continue to rejoice in this Eastertide.

Second, I want to share the good news with you that it is done.  My thesis is completed.  It has been successfully defended.  It has been signed.  And, it is delivered.  This was the final requirement toward the Master of Sacred Theology degree.  I began working toward this degree eight years ago, so you can imagine I am just a bit excited that it is done.  Graduation is Friday, May 11^th, at Gettysburg Seminary.

Thank you for your support in this endeavor.  The continuing education time and money I receive as part of my compensation has been directed toward this end.  So again, I express my gratefulness to all of you.

I have made an extra copy of the thesis for our church library, if any one is interested in reading it.  It makes for good bed time reading.☺ The thesis explores what I jokingly call the “Wile E. Coyote” effect in the Bible.  Specifically, it looks at the influence of Proverbs 26:27 on biblical stories.  Proverbs 26:27 says, “Who ever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.”  In other words, the one who sets in motion evil plans will ironically receive the exact evil they had planned.  Isn’t that what regularly happens to Wile E. Coyote when he is trying to get the Road Runner?  This is also what we see in many Bible stories.  I also argue that this Proverbs 26:27 motif is used in various Bible stories for the purpose of creating humor and for the purpose of teaching.

In response to getting word that I had completed all my requirements, my wife Kathy said, “Now, it is time to party!”  So, I also want to invite you to join us for a time of celebration at our home.  We will be having an open house on May 11^th in the evening.  Come over and have a burger or a hotdog.

We will publicize the time and our address in upcoming worship bulletins.  We ask that you would please call to let us know if you plan to stop by.  That way we have some idea how much food and drink to prepare.

Again, I thank all of you for your constant support and love as I continue to grow as a person and as I continue to serve God’s people at Grace and in the larger world.  May God continue to fill your lives with many blessings.

                                                                                                In Christ,

                                                                                                Pastor Joel           

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