Elim Lutheran Church
Office:  504 Baker Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-762-4081
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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: July 15, 2021

7/15/2021

 
“The apostles gather around Jesus, and they tell him all that they had done and taught. Jesus says to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’”
(Mark 6: 30 – 31)
 
Holy Rest
 
We’re in the middle of summer. The restrictions have been lifted for us, although we still need to wear our masks to some businesses and hospitals. I put my mask on when I went to physical therapy last week. (Many thanks for your prayers for my recovery, by the way!)

Some of us are travelling. My husband, Pr. Thomas, is driving across the country with our daughter Hannah and son Nikolas! They’re in a van with most of Hannah’s worldly possessions, as she is moving back to California! This is very exciting for us, as she has been living on the east coast for nine years!

On Sunday, when we turn our computers on and settle in for worship, we’ll hear this Gospel reading: Mark 6: 30–34, 53–56. The disciples have returned from their adventures of healing and teaching, and Jesus tells them to take a break, take off their sandals, put their feet up and rest a bit. He encourages them to take a “holy rest.”

Might this be a good thing for you to do as well? You don’t need necessarily to get in a boat and go to a deserted place. Maybe you could just find a comfortable chair, inside or outside, and sit with Jesus for a while? You could read a Psalm, or make a gratitude list, or just sit quietly – recognizing that you’re not alone. Not really.

Jesus is right beside you. And he’s got a big smile on his face that you are taking a little time out – to rest a while with him.

Maybe you could take your shoes or sandals off. It might remind you that you are sitting on sacred ground.

May God’s peace surround you,
Pastor Kathryn

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    Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

    Interim Pastor

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