Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, February 13, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I love my church. The original gothic stone building burned to the ground in 1995, long before I was a member, and on its site, they prayerfully and intentionally built a new church building as an expression of the congregation’s commitment to its call in the community. Gone were the imposing stairs that would have prevented a disabled person from easily entering. Instead, the doors are at street level, with a gentle ramp from the sidewalk so that anyone can enter. Instead of enormous, imposing stained glass windows, the nave has floor-to-ceiling windows on one side that look out into the community where we worship and serve. The pews are comfortable and movable, the décor simple and airy, and the baptismal font is an actual little river flowing through a stone block. At each season the open space is adorned with textile art, candles, and simple accents. Children dance to the beautiful music on the polished maple floors. Love and justice are preached from the pulpit and lived in the mission of the congregation. Joy and comfort, fellowship and mutual support are to be found in the community who gathers in that wonderful building. In short, I love my church. I know God does not live in buildings built by human hands, nor can God be confined to any one place. But I also know that God is absolutely present in every millimeter of that beloved space and its people. How lovely is your dwelling place, gracious God of all creation!
What do I love about my place of worship?