Dear Friends,
I hope you have had a wonderful summer! For some of you, summer is already over because school has started. For others, we are still enjoying summer until September 22. I find myself somewhere in between. I want to enjoy these last days of summer while also saying goodbye to the season.
One thing I especially appreciate about summer is the flexibility of the lectionary. It offers us a unique opportunity to explore different stories, characters, and themes across the Scriptures.
As you may know, the church lectionary follows the rhythm of the Christian year. During Advent, we anticipate the coming Messiah. At Christmas, we celebrate Christ’s birth and early life. Throughout Lent and Easter, we walk alongside Jesus toward the cross and resurrection. After Pentecost, we focus our attention on the Holy Spirit and the life of the church.
But when summer arrives, the lectionary seems to relax a bit, too! While suggested readings remain, there isn’t always a single, strict path to follow. Perhaps that is part of summer’s gift: we are invited to swim around in the Bible, enjoying the freedom to explore and listen closely.
As I write this, I have the next two sermons mapped out, but I am leaving space for what follows. I am looking forward to this more casual approach—walking alongside the lectionary, listening for the Holy Spirit, and discovering together what God wants us to hear each week.
I encourage you to do the same. Bring a summer mindset to your personal Bible reading. If you are curious about an unfamiliar story or a book of the Bible you rarely open, give it a try. You don’t always need a rigid plan; sometimes it is enough to simply open Scripture, read, and see where the Spirit leads.
And a final thought from your pastor and friend: September still holds the last days of summer! If you haven’t yet had the chance to rest or spend quality time with loved ones, there is still time. Make the most of these remaining days. Do something fun, rest a little, and enjoy the people God has placed around you.
Before I close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the family of Ann Trimble Howze for their generous gift to the church in her memory. Ann was a faithful, active member and elder of Erwin Presbyterian Church. Her deep knowledge, confident faith, and active love for this congregation were evident in everything she did. We give thanks for her life and witness, and we pray that her memory continues to be a blessing to us all.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Ramy Marcos
Pastor