Celebrating JubileeToday

Our great Jubilee celebration takes place in about 8 hours. The sanctuary, fellowship hall, bathrooms and offices are clean and clear to receive our guests. The bulletin boards are renewed, and the Awareness Board has been updated with information on Justice issues that we are (or should be) concerned about. The Regional Minister has his sermon ready and I am ready with words to welcome all to our Jubilee Worship Service. The graphic designer delivered the Memory Books to my home yesterday evening. The committee is gathering at the church at 9:30 am to prepare for the 4 pm Celebration; to hang the banner outside and put together the worship bulletins and drape the sanctuary in cloth of gold. Everyone is so excited . . .

Would that we could be so excited about worshipping God every Sunday - that we would always make sure the House is clean and clear for visitors - that we would approach the weekly meal of bread and cup with the joyful anticipation we are feeling about the catered Fellowship Meal after worship.

Is it even possible to always keep this level of excitement? Or do we need special occasions to approach God's house as a place of great celebration? Should not we wake up on Sundays saying "Today I go to worship!" and not "Oh yeah, I go to church this morning" as if it is a trip to the grocery store - just part of the weekly routine.

The challenge in the weeks and months ahead will be to keep the spirit of Jubilee flowing through the hearts and minds of the congregation - and the pastor.