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Pastor's Piece

“Take, oh, take us as we are; summon out what we shall be”
Adapted from ELW 814

Contemplating a painting hanging on the wall, I see a blending of matching and contrasting colors—yellows, reds, greens, blues, white, gray. In places the flowers crowd each other , in others some are more solitary, and one is looking straight on daring the viewer to comment.. The beauty of that bouquet is, I’m sure, long faded. And yet, here is that beauty captured and hanging on the wall for me and others to enjoy and to appreciate.

What it meant for the artist I can only guess. Whatever it was it was important enough for her to take the time to compose and paint. And, I say thank you.

The I look out my window at the blending of matching and contrasting colors-whites, greens, purples, reds, pinks, yellows, browns, blues, white, gray. The sky is alive with the brilliance of a setting sun and the subtleness of glowing moon becoming full. This beauty too will pass and yet, even as it does, it points to something beyond, an artist if you will, an artist which arranged and composed this view, captured in my mind’s eye to be remembered long after sunset and the passing of the season. And, I say thank you.

I pause and I think, ―How different would the painting be if the artist had not used that one stroke making the contrast on the stem, or left out that petal or that bloom? How different would it have been if there was that lavender or that cedar tree in the view? The painting would still be the painting. The view would still be the view. I would still be looking. And yet, and yet each is what it is because of the colors, the petals, the stems, the brush strokes, the trees that are there. And, I say thank you.

So, I think about who were are as God’s people at Peace, brought together, composed, created to be a wonderful painting, a beautiful view. Each one of us like the various brush strokes, petals, stems, colors, trees. Peace is what it is because of your presence. Peace would still be, if you were not here, but it would not be what it is be-cause of your presence. And, I say thank you.

So come, continue to help fulfill the vision of the artist that we may be what God envisions us to be at Peace Lutheran Church.

Thank you God. Amen

Pastor  Ron Kempe