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August 2010 A Note from the Pastor A copy of my article submitted to The Newark Advocate Faith Page for July 24, 2010 Throughout the years a number of times at the airport I have witnessed an arriving passenger being met by friends and/or family as a surprise welcome which usually included balloons, singing and one time a person in a gorilla suit. With everyone laughing, crying and screaming, it was easy to be happy with them even though I had no idea who these people were nor exactly what prompted the celebration. Their joy was contagious. For me, telling the story to others fell into the category of Good News. We like to hear good news. Grandparents tell us of the birth of their newest grandchild, and we smile and are genuinely happy for them. Hearing the announcement of a newly engaged couple, knowing our friend’s son or daughter is coming home for good from military duty, listening to our neighbor tell us about his new job which he loves are all good news stories. We read the story of creation in Genesis, and, “God looked over everything God had made, it was so good, so very good!” (From “The Message”, by Eugene Peterson). Creation is good, very good. This is good news. The Gospels are full of good news. We read that Jesus offered life, abundant life to all people, welcomed and loved all those who came to him including the rich, the poor, children, men, women, those considered unclean by the religious leaders, and foreigners. He fed the hunger, healed the sick and changed lives. Not only can we be happy that this good news happened way back then, but we can share in that same love and acceptance from God, therefore, making this good news personal. Life is a marvelous gift from God. Experiencing God in whatever way the Spirit has called us leads to joy as that same Spirit gives us strength and wisdom to live our lives. The joy of the Lord is contagious. This is good. It’s also very good to continue to rejoice with others and their good news in whatever form it comes. Good news often comes as a surprise! Probably not in a gorilla suit, but then one never knows. God does mysterious things. “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” -Psalm 118:24 Blessing of Peace & Joy,
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