David Robert Lambert

A vacation or holiday is a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism.    The concept of taking a vacation is a recent invention, and has developed through the last two centuries.  Once the idea of travel and recreation was a luxury of wealthy people alone.  In the Puritan culture of early America, taking a break from work for reasons other than weekly observance of the Sabbath was frowned upon. However, the modern concept of vacation was led by a later religious movement encouraging spiritual retreat and recreation.

I know a pastor who asked his flock to bring home church bulletins from when they were on vacation.  Not only did this encourage them to carve out time for church, but by studying it, he was able to glean an idea or two that he could use.

Every summer my wife and I vacation in New England.  On the way, we stop for lunch with the brothers at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York.  It is the mother house of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Anglican religious order inspired by the Benedictine tradition.  Their primary ministry is to guests on individual and group retreats. There are 5 worship services each day: Matins, Holy Eucharist, Diurnum, Vespers and Compline.  We usually attend noontime Diurnum which is held just before lunch.

When on vacation, stay for fellowship hour or coffee in the narthex and tell people about your home church and where you are from.   That’s an easy conversation starter.

A lapse in our routine can lead us to forget what’s most important.  When you’re out of town, research the local churches and their service times.  Pick one that’s convenient regardless of denomination,  Don’t take a vacation from God; do something spiritual as well as physical while away from your usual routine!

p.s. if you forget to bring a bulletin back with you, at least send a postcard to your church or pastor saying you haven’t forgotten God while on vacation.

In remembrance of Independence Day and the recent Derecho storms and resulting power outages this past week, let us pray:

O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation.

In Christ you stilled storms, raised the dead, and vanquished demonic powers.

Tame the earthquake, wind, and fire, and all the forces that defy control or shock us by their fury.

Help us, in good times and in distress, to trust your mercy and yield to your power, this day and for ever.

Almighty God, you rule all the peoples of the earth.

We believe in you, O God, for you have made the suffering of humanity your suffering.

Today we worship you,
because you are alive,
you have saved us,
you have made us free.

Inspire the minds of all women and men to whom you have committed the responsibility of government and leadership in the nations of the world.

Give to them the vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together.

Give to the people of our country zeal for justice and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will.

Forgive our shortcomings as a nation; purify our hearts to see and love the truth.

We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

08/23/2011 1:51pm eastern daylight time
Upgraded from Magnitude 5.8 to 5.9
Epicenter located at 37.975, -77.969
4 mi SSE of Louisa, VA, about 89 miles away from Washington, DC
Ref: http://earthquake.usgs.gov

All is OK here in Potomac, Maryland.

“… you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Jesus’ disciples were sent not only throughout Israel to preach His Gospel, but to foreign lands like Samaria as well.  Christ made it clear that his message was for all people, not just any particular single nation.

Your Jerusalem is here, your own home town, your community and local region.  Many people find it easy to write a check and send money to Africa, Central America or another place at the ends of the earth, far, far away.  But where is the local involvement?  He said to go to all nations, not just to the ends of the earth.

The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for 2010 is $21.36 per hour.

The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.

According to the “Research Brief: Volunteering in America Research Highlights” published in 2010 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 63.4 million Americans, or 26.8 percent of the adult population, gave 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service worth $169 billion in 2009.

Figures are also available for each state. Virginia: $22.03, Maryland: $22.32 and DC $32.79 per hour!

Of course monetary donations are appreciated but what are you doing to better your local community through volunteer service?