Joy in the Journey - Day 1 - Sunday

This is Day 1 of our month-long trek across country. David and I have two purposes on this trip:

1- Build up our marriage after a difficult 18-months, and
2- Build relationships within LCMC and ask for prayer support for Rivers.

Joy in the Journey, from Michael Card, is what we are finding on the way.

We began last Sunday at St. Martin's, Annapolis, on the day of their second vote to leave the ELCA. We saw more joy there than we had in any previous visit and felt the Spirit moving in worship and prayer. People were still glowing from Gemechis Buba's sermon the week before. He is the new missions director for the NALC, and previously the Director for African National Ministries in the ELCA. "He had stolid Lutherans cheering!", reported one member of St. Martin's.

We joined a powerful prayer vigil between services and worshipped our Lord. We were treated to lunch and watched registration for voting move along efficiently. The expectation was that they would pass the vote. We waited expectantly in the lounge with two active non-members of the church who couldn't vote. 380 votes were cast, the vote failed by two. There were many tears as people streamed out. There was also a strong sense from some that they will now build a new congregation. We briefly greeted Bishop Wolfgang. It was the first time we had seen him since he became Bishop and we left the synod. He returned our hugs, but didn't have time to talk.

On greeting us after the meeting, Pastor Miller's first words were, "God is still God!" Amen. We pray for St. Martin's as they discern God's direction for their life together. The lyrics of Card's song seem to fit:

There is a joy in the journey,
There's a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
and freedom for those who obey.
All those who seek it shall find it,
a pardon for all who believe.
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind

To all who've been born of the Spirit
and who share incarnation with him;
who belong to eternity, stranded in time,
and weary of struggling with sin.
Forget not the hope that's before you,
and never stop counting the cost.
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost?

There is a joy in this journey. May we all see it and delight in our Lord!