“For the Fruit of All Creation” ELW 679, verse 3
For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.

Wonder. Isn’t that a great word? What brings you wonder? 

I live near Reservoir Woods and every time I walk there I pause at my favorite tree. It has a thick trunk, multiple large branches, and one side of it looks like it has been braided. 

How did it get like that? Why only one side? Isn’t it beautiful? What a wonder!

I know that there is a lot of bad news these days. Virus numbers are out of control, health care workers are being stretched to the breaking point, everyone is missing their usual activities, we’ve taken steps backwards for climate control, people are anxious about their jobs, kids are struggling with distance learning, and on and on and on. And yet, this tree is still in the woods today. Still standing, still braided, still a wonder. 

Today I invite you to light a candle and take some time to just be still. What brings you wonder even in the midst of all the struggle right now? What beauty still exists? What brings you peace, a smile, a calm knowing that God is present? What makes you pause in wonder? As people of faith, we live in this magnificent story of God’s great love. Love that finds us, day after day, no matter what. It’s a wonder, truly, and for that we say, “thanks be to God.”

In Peace, Pastor Ruth


Community Prayer: (From the Center for Action and Contemplation)
O Great Love, thank you for living and loving in us and through us. May all that we do flow from our deep connection with you and all beings. Help us become a community that vulnerably shares each other’s burdens and the weight of glory. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our world. [Please add your own intentions.] . . . Knowing you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God, amen.