We had some technical difficulties getting service going last Sunday and we are so deeply grateful for your patience and for the encouragement in the comments of each of you. Thank you for staying and for choosing to “go in” with the Park.
This week, I’m putting us in conversation with a bit of Rock history. We’re talking about Jimi Hendrix, the guitarist and justice seeker. Hendrix, arguably the best instrumentalist in the history of Rock music, expanded the sounds and uses of the electric guitar like no one else ever has. As he played and gained recognition for his unique creativity, he slowly reclaimed title to that musical form, Rock & Roll, pioneered by black innovators like Little Richard and Chuck Berry in the 1950s.
Beyond our memory of him as a deeply influential guitarist, we have a cultural memory of Jimi Hendrix dropping words of deep wisdom to those around him. One such phrase lives on the bulletin board by my desk:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace.”
This week, we’re reading from the Book of Psalms. Specifically, Psalm 15. This is a reflective psalm written by King David. David suggests here what it takes to enter God’s presence and be welcomed. His words remind me of Jimi Hendrix’s. Let’s read together Psalm 15:
1 Who has the right to enter your tent, YHWH,
or to live on your holy mountain? 2 Those who conduct themselves with integrity
and work for justice,
who speak the truth from their heart 3 and do not use their tongues for slander,
who do not wrong their neighbors
and cast no discredit on their friends, 4 who look with contempt on the corrupt
but honor those who revere YHWH,
who always keep their promises
even when it hurts, 5 who don’t demand interest on loans
and cannot be bribed to exploit the innocent.
If people do these things,
nothing can ever shake them.
[Psalms 15 (ILB)/ Salmos 15 (NVI)]
David has produced for us a non-exhaustive, yet quite rigorous, list of what the words and actions of the faithful ought to be. As the psalmist describes the traits of someone able to enter the tent of God and live on God’s holy mountain, we see an emphasis on righteousness, justice, and action. We see an emphasis on an active love for others.
The psalmist details that those who can enter God’s tent work for justice with integrity, speak truth with compassion, and use their words to build others up. They despise corruption and keep their word no matter the cost. They cannot be bought and do not exploit others. These are the makings of a righteous individual. These are the results of loving others more than we love power.
As we move towards righteousness for ourselves and in this world, may we learn to live as one whom God will allow in God’s tent. May we work towards justice with integrity, speak truth in love, and keep our promises, always. May we always value love over power. May we love God, others, and ourselves with the same love God holds for us.
Know you are loved, friends, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!
Rock On,
Kelsey Creech, Resident Seminarian
Children and Youth Ministry Update
from Kelsey Creech, Resident Seminarian
Our weekly Children’s Worship meetings will return Sunday September 5, 2021!
For now, we are still taking a break from weekly meetings for Children’s Worship this August, but we will have a small bit of programming in our weekly Children’s Worship Newsletter. This programming always aligns itself with our scripture for the week, and I encourage you to engage with it for yourself or alongside whatever children might be in your life.
After reading this week’s scripture (Psalm 15), discuss the following questions:
1. What does this scripture make you think of? Do any people or places come to mind?
2. What questions do you have about the words we read?
3. Does any part of this passage stand out to you?
4. What do you imagine it would be like to be in a tent with God or be on God’s Holy Mountain?
5. Which of the traits listed in this poem sounds the hardest to you? Which sounds the easiest? Why?
6. This scripture tells us that if someone does all this “nothing can ever shake them.” Have you ever felt shaken? How might doing these things have helped you?
I’m hopeful for these conversations! I look forward to hearing from you and wish you all meaningful conversations about righteousness and being with God!
Joyfully yours,
Kelsey Creech
Resident Seminarian
(The illustration above is from page 48 of Tiny Truths Wonder & Wisdom)
Well, it isn't food for your stomach (though when we are able to meet again in person, we will share a brown bag lunch right after church), but it is food — almost a banquet — for your soul.
SoulFood Fellowship is a gathering of The PARK members and friends who get together from near and far after worship on the third Sunday of each month. We engage in conversation that is bound to get you thinking and talking. We discuss and reflect on books, articles, documentary films, or plays —in light of our faith, Bible Study, and concern for social justice.
We have concluded our study of Juan Gonzalez's Harvest of Empire, and on July 18 we'll be taking up a new social justice focus—beginning with a review and commentary by one of our participants and followed by our response with regard to what God requires of us. We would love to have you join us and share your perspective, experience, hopes, and concerns.
SFF will meet next on July 18--but not in August.
For more information, please contact either Richard Sturm or Stephanie Wilson.
Pandemic of Love is a mutual aid community of care that was started in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It humbly began on March 14th, 2020 by one person and was intended to help her own local community. But, like an epidemic, the act of love and kindness spread quickly and is now a beautiful movement helping those in need throughout the world.
What is a mutual aid community? It connects people in need with patrons who can help with that need. This is a tangible way for people to give to each other, quickly, discretely and directly.
What’s the catch? There is none. Kind people are introduced to kind people which results in an act of kindness and human connection.
