When Will We See You in Our Sanctuary?
In Psalms 122:1, Old Testament King David wrote these words, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
The words of David echo in my head most days. Often, when writing to members of our church home, I’ll write something like, “I’m looking forward to the day when we all meet again in our sanctuary.” It’s true. Pandemic and construction have restricted the use of our historic building. It’s been so long since I’ve seen all of you. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen some of your loved ones and friends.
Yet, I know more than ever that the building does not contain the church. The FCC church I see on Sunday morning is on Facebook of all places. I feel the connection when seeing the comments, knowing I’m sharing that moment with so many of you! And when we do meet again in our renovated physical space, it will be a joyous reunion. The words of David will ring true again.
For those who like a little bit of info on David’s words in the Book of Psalms, I found this tidbit:
In his book, “The Temple – It’s Ministry and Services,” Alfred Edersheim wrote…
The journey was always to be made slowly, for the pilgrimage was to be a joy and a privilege, not a toil or weariness. In the morning, as the golden sunlight tipped the mountains of Moab, the stationary man of the district, who was the leader, summoned the ranks of the procession in the words of Jeremiah 31:6: ‘Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, and unto Jehovah our God.’ To which the people replied, as they formed and moved onwards, in the appropriate language of Psalm 122: ‘I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah.’ First went one who played the pipe; then followed a sacrificial bullock, destined for a peace-offering, his horns gilt and garlanded with olive-branches; next came the multitude, some carrying the baskets with the first fruits, others singing the Psalms, which many writers supposed to have been specially destined for that service, and hence to have been called ‘the Songs of Ascent’; in our Authorized Version ‘the Psalms of Degrees.’
My mental image is expanding to joyously parading around the church when we can all safely do so, with live music and a pig roast potluck. What’s yours?
Dear God, Take away our apprehensions, tensions and worries. Bring healing to the sick. Bring respite to those who are weary. Remind us that the day will be here soon when we will go back into the physical space of our church and greet each other in person once again. Amen.
Nancy Sauve