Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Often we ponder on our Christian identity, how we are formed and shaped in our Christian faith. This faith that we proclaim, this faith by which we are called to live represents an understanding first and foremost about God and God's relationship with us. The writers of the Psalms wrote passionately about their understanding of God and the manner in which God is perceived to be interacting in the world and in the lives of God's people, in both good times and the not-so-good.

The Psalmists were searching for appropriate ways to describe God's identity and God's actions in order to help and guide God's people to understand God's presence in a world of need and hope, to provide a way of comfort particularly in difficult times and situations. This was also a way to help hold the whole people of God together in a common understanding, a way to form and shape community. Psalm 111 is a prime example of understanding God's identity and action in relationship with a people's experiences in the world, a world of wonder as well as need.

" Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation." (111:1) The individual is partnered with God in community; collective praise is uttered. And this praise is directed to the works of God, effecting the lives of God's people.

"Great are your works, O LORD, pondered by all who delight in them. Majesty and splendor mark your deeds, and your righteousness endures forever. You cause your wonders to be remembered; you are gracious and full of compassion." (111:2-4) The people of God who gather together in collective praise bear witness to and remember God's gracious and abundant acts, acts of provision and protection in time of need, acts that are just and righteously compassionate.

"You give food to those who fear you, remembering forever your covenant. You have shown your people the power of your works in giving them the lands of the nations. The works of your hands are faithfulness and justice; all of your precepts are sure." (111:5-7) The Psalmist here connects God's identity to God's faithful actions, actions that forever bear witness to God's promises and covenant relationships throughout all the lands. The praises that God's people utter are in response to the truth and the trust we place upon that truth.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice this have a good understanding. God's praise endures forever." (111:10) Today is as good as any for us to practice our faith in praise of God and God's actions on our behalf.

Praise be to God, now and forever!  Pastor John

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Often we ponder on our Christian identity, how we are formed and shaped in our Christian faith. This faith that we proclaim, this faith by which we are called to live represents an understanding first and foremost about God and God's relationship with us. The writers of the Psalms wrote passionately about their understanding of God and the manner in which God is perceived to be interacting in the world and in the lives of God's people, in both good times and the not-so-good.

The Psalmists were searching for appropriate ways to describe God's identity and God's actions in order to help and guide God's people to understand God's presence in a world of need and hope, to provide a way of comfort particularly in difficult times and situations. This was also a way to help hold the whole people of God together in a common understanding, a way to form and shape community. Psalm 111 is a prime example of understanding God's identity and action in relationship with a people's experiences in the world, a world of wonder as well as need.

" Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation." (111:1) The individual is partnered with God in community; collective praise is uttered. And this praise is directed to the works of God, effecting the lives of God's people.

"Great are your works, O LORD, pondered by all who delight in them. Majesty and splendor mark your deeds, and your righteousness endures forever. You cause your wonders to be remembered; you are gracious and full of compassion." (111:2-4) The people of God who gather together in collective praise bear witness to and remember God's gracious and abundant acts, acts of provision and protection in time of need, acts that are just and righteously compassionate.

"You give food to those who fear you, remembering forever your covenant. You have shown your people the power of your works in giving them the lands of the nations. The works of your hands are faithfulness and justice; all of your precepts are sure." (111:5-7) The Psalmist here connects God's identity to God's faithful actions, actions that forever bear witness to God's promises and covenant relationships throughout all the lands. The praises that God's people utter are in response to the truth and the trust we place upon that truth.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice this have a good understanding. God's praise endures forever." (111:10) Today is as good as any for us to practice our faith in praise of God and God's actions on our behalf.

Praise be to God, now and forever!  Pastor John

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Often we ponder on our Christian identity, how we are formed and shaped in our Christian faith. This faith that we proclaim, this faith by which we are called to live represents an understanding first and foremost about God and God's relationship with us. The writers of the Psalms wrote passionately about their understanding of God and the manner in which God is perceived to be interacting in the world and in the lives of God's people, in both good times and the not-so-good.

The Psalmists were searching for appropriate ways to describe God's identity and God's actions in order to help and guide God's people to understand God's presence in a world of need and hope, to provide a way of comfort particularly in difficult times and situations. This was also a way to help hold the whole people of God together in a common understanding, a way to form and shape community. Psalm 111 is a prime example of understanding God's identity and action in relationship with a people's experiences in the world, a world of wonder as well as need.

" Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation." (111:1) The individual is partnered with God in community; collective praise is uttered. And this praise is directed to the works of God, effecting the lives of God's people.

"Great are your works, O LORD, pondered by all who delight in them. Majesty and splendor mark your deeds, and your righteousness endures forever. You cause your wonders to be remembered; you are gracious and full of compassion." (111:2-4) The people of God who gather together in collective praise bear witness to and remember God's gracious and abundant acts, acts of provision and protection in time of need, acts that are just and righteously compassionate.

"You give food to those who fear you, remembering forever your covenant. You have shown your people the power of your works in giving them the lands of the nations. The works of your hands are faithfulness and justice; all of your precepts are sure." (111:5-7) The Psalmist here connects God's identity to God's faithful actions, actions that forever bear witness to God's promises and covenant relationships throughout all the lands. The praises that God's people utter are in response to the truth and the trust we place upon that truth.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice this have a good understanding. God's praise endures forever." (111:10) Today is as good as any for us to practice our faith in praise of God and God's actions on our behalf.

Praise be to God, now and forever!  Pastor John