Pastor’s Pen | June 2022

“No storm can shake my in-most calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” 

We sang this old favorite in worship on May 29 as we celebrated the festival day of Ascension—the day Jesus was ushered up into the heavens and made a pathway for us to return to God. The Easter season, a season of life beyond death, culminates on Ascension Day. Easter builds to this moment when heaven and earth touch. Easter brings us to the moment when Jesus ascends, but does not leave us. When Jesus is lifted to the sky, and gives us charge of tending his work of loving, caring, healing, and walking in the path of justice and peace.  

I found myself stubbornly humming and singing Robert Lowry’s hymn in the wake of the recent gun violence in our nation. When I felt fearful and overwhelmed, these words would come back to me: “No storm can shake my in-most calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” 

Yes, the world is troubled. The world is filled with examples of violence and struggle and grief. There is much in this world that seeks to threaten that in-most calm. I know, believe me, I know that threat.  

And so we stubbornly sing. We hum our songs of resistance. We sing and hum because Christ our Lord was victorious over the grave, gives us life, and charges us with the work of healing and hope. In the face of all that is broken, Christ gives us endless songs of hope—how can we keep from singing?  

Sing on, beloved children of God. Sign on. For though Christ ascended, he has not left us.  

With love for each of you, 

Pastor Beth