From the Pastor: July 2026

Dear Friends,

Flags are starting to fly around the community as people begin their celebration of July 4th and the country’s semiquincentennial.  One of the joys of celebrating our national heritage is that it’s such a summery event. Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, they all conjure images of the stars and stripes waving in bright blue skies on sun-shiny days, with burgers on the grill and outdoor play in the background.  Paint a picture of patriotic pride, and it’s rare that you’ll see Old Glory billowing in the snow, unless it’s over a funeral scene of fallen heroes.  But this warm-weather emotion feels right, because what we celebrate is freedom and liberty, and it is the coming of spring and summer that makes our hearts sing with the freedom of escape from winter’s icy grip of death.  Like children in a classroom who can’t keep their eyes off the window, knowing that the season of outside play is just days away, we older folks plan our vacations, get out our even-tighter-this-year Bermuda shorts, and revel in a feeling of being free.  Even a barbeque supper frees us from the confines of the kitchen.  When they were little, my girls always wanted to eat out on the picnic table, even though it was just a few feet from the house.   We’re not trapped inside!  We can go anywhere, let our hearts sing with joy, bask in the sunshine, and relax in the beauty of God’s creation.  Thank God we live in a country in which such things are possible, when there are so many in the world who struggle simply to survive—which is why we do celebrate, to remember that freedom isn’t free, and we need to keep working and struggling for our liberties, creating them for others and being a beacon of liberty in the world.

And thank God that as Christians we also celebrate freedom.  Through the joyous resurrection of Christ we are set free from our sins, liberated from death, and given the task to live like we believe the Good News.  The winter of our lives is over, and summer is here, full of new life and infinite possibilities.  In fact, I think I’m safe in saying that as a recipient of grace, you are hereby called by the Lord to enjoy your summer.  Enjoy your life.  Love those around you as though there were more than enough pleasure and joy to go around – for there is.  Gift yourself with the present of playfulness.  Even if you’re not heading to the beach this July, your heart is still free to go on vacation.  

What a glorious land we live in, and what a wonderful world we inhabit.  What beautiful souls we are, inhabiting beautiful bodies.  Fly your flag of liberation this summer.  For “the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17).  Wave the banner of Christ’s cross in all that you do, and everyone you meet.  “As servants of God, life as free people” (1 Peter 2:16).

In love and light,

Martin