Blog Archives

Sabbath and Sabbatical

4/28/2022

Rev Judith Cooke

In just a few days, my Sabbatical will begin. From May through July, I will be taking a break for spiritual renewal and personal study. As I’ve told you previously, I will be attending a writing conference in Ireland, compiling puppet scripts for other churches, continuing my work as a Coach through the International Coaching Federation.

Taking a Sabbath break is important for all people. How do you best care for yourself? What nourishes your soul? Where do you most enjoy time with God?

While I am looking forward to having this time away, I have to admit that it is tough to be away from the church I love. I am grateful to have the Reverend Paul Goodman covering for me. His fun, funny, and faithful ways will be a great gift to NGCC. I am also grateful NGCC has such a dedicated and talented congregation, and I am confident that your ministries will continue smoothly. And I am grateful to our wonderful church staff, who are so capable and competent that I know their work will continue well.

I look forward to seeing you all in August!

Blessings, Judith

New Life

4/21/2022

Rev Judith Cooke

Ah, Easter! The pinnacle of the Christian year, when we celebrate the greatest triumph of our God: The Resurrection of Christ! How was your Easter Sunday? Full of Alleluias and flowers, chocolate bunnies and colored eggs, feasts, and festivities? I hope it was!

Now it is four days later. Easter Sunday is glorious. The following week feels harder. For those people who are struggling with their health, or finances, or a relationship, or uncertainty, it can be difficult to cling to the Easter’s promise of new life. All too soon we return to life as usual.

For those who feel that Easter is over and done this year, Psalm 136 reminds us of a powerful truth.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
            for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods,
            for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
            for his steadfast love endures forever.

And these are just the first three verses. All 26 verses of Psalm 136 end with the words “for his steadfast love endures forever.”

During the Season of Lent, Christians take up a spiritual practice, often a sacrificial discipline. This year, I invite you to take up a spiritual practice for the rest of the Season of Easter. What could you do to remember God’s promise of new life?

You might choose a mantra to repeat throughout your day, such as “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
You might intentionally compliment a different person each day, to share the love of God with others.
You might pay attention to God’s creation, looking for springtime signs of rebirth.

Easter is not over! Even after the 50 days of the Season of Easter end, still Easter is not over! As people of faith, we celebrate that every day is full of new life!

Dark Days

4/14/2022

Rev Judith Cooke

On Maundy Thursday, Christians commemorate the Last Supper that Christ shared with his disciples in the upper room. At NGCC, we honor it with worship that celebrates communion, as well as a service of Tennebrae when we read the story of the last days of Jesus’ life while extinguishing candles as the story grows darker. (This powerful service is at 7:00 this evening. I hope you will attend.) One of the elements of Maundy Thursday that is often ignored is the washing of the feet, which we follow Christ’s example of washing the feet of his disciples.

When I was in seminary, I worked as a chaplain intern at the Trenton State Psychiatric Hospital. On Maundy Thursday, we were encouraged to participate in worship which involved washing the feet of the patients. Many of the patients behaved in unpredictable ways, plus many were hygienically challenged. Washing their feet was both risky and unpleasant. I opted out. The other chaplain interns reported how it was a profoundly meaningful service. Did I regret not attending? No. Would I participate if given another chance? Also no. But fortunately, there were others God called to that work.

I do believe, though, that being a person of faith involves participating in some dirty work. Personally, I’ve done more gross things than I ever thought a pastor would do, from scrubbing black mold off walls to helping clear out a hoarder’s house to playing “find that smell” in a church basement. As awful as some of these jobs were, I am glad I did them.

What are some dirty jobs you are glad you did?
How have they been a blessing to others?
What tasks are you not called to do?
When has someone helped you with an unpleasant but much needed work?

Maundy Thursday is a day to remember that being a person of faith sometimes involves dark days and dirty jobs. And while they may be difficult at the time, God blesses our efforts to bring blessings to us and to others.

Palms

4/7/2022

Rev Judith Cooke

One of the church traditions is giving children palm fronds in church on Palm Sunday. I remember way back to my own childhood, marching through the sanctuary waving the palm as the church sang All Glory, Laud, and Honor. Another yearly tradition involves the children using their palms to poke and prod one another, or to use them as swords or light sabers.

This behavior is actually somewhat appropriate for Palm Sunday. Christ enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds and waving branches, but the crowd is temperamental. Very quickly, their excitement surges into loud praise and cheers; a few days later, their voices will raise just as fast, but this time to shout “crucify him.” The hard part of Palm Sunday is that we know what happens next. We know that the path to the empty tomb goes through the cross.

In our own lives, we see this difficult dynamic as well. When we look ahead to something we want for our future, often it involves going through a difficult time to get there.

What do you wish for your life?
To what is God calling you?
What challenges or obstacles must you overcome to get there?

The good news of Palm Sunday is that as we move to a future God intends for us, God will guide us through the difficulties and help us endure them.

As you approach Palm Sunday this year, may you hold fast to the promise that God is continually with you and bringing you to a place of meaning, fulfillment, and blessings.

Messages from the Pastor

Sabbath and Sabbatical

New Life

Dark Days

Palms

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