A Message from Pastor Kaji

Last Sunday, while I was sitting in the pulpit, my child sent me a text. She described a “homophobe” outside of the church who was mortified by what they witnessed inside. Our Elders and security team managed our theological and physical safety, so the worship and performances were undisturbed. Meanwhile, my child was planning what they could do to offer the protection of words to change this person’s heart. 

What did they see? They saw joy. Self-expression. God’s beloved, in whom God is well-pleased. But that rubbed against something in this person that they couldn’t handle. 

This is, by the way, what we do every week in our worship and Biblical study life. We challenge ourselves to come to know how to be as Christ-like as possible. Which means connecting meaningfully with the very sorts of people that religious authorities tend to misunderstand – at best – and hate – at worst. What we do, in community, is to build the God-understanding and the Biblical knowledge and the prayer practices to do what we can to change hearts. And when we can’t? We build walls of safety around the most vulnerable. This is precisely what Jesus did, and we try to follow this closely. 

What I’d love to share, though, is that despite this blip of an interruption in this Pride celebration, this church did what we said we would do. As my grandfather would say: “from the rooter to the tooter”, all across the board, you did the Christ-honored work of radical welcome. I am so so so proud of all of you. 

Looking ahead to this Sunday’s continuation of our Pride celebration, we will delve into this question: 

“What on earth was God up to when God made you?” 

My sermon, “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Embracing God’s Purpose in You,” will explore the Genesis creation story of Genesis 2, in conversation with Psalm 139 (my favorite Psalm). This is not a debate between science and scripture, but instead your origin story that speaks to God’s intentional and loving creation of each of us. Discover how to see yourself through God’s eyes and embrace the wondrous work God is doing within you. Don’t miss this message of self-acceptance and divine purpose.

I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
 

Pax Christi,

Pastor Kaji

SCRIPTURE
Genesis 2:4b–7; Psalm 139:1, 7–14 (Year B, p. 225):

Genesis 2: 4b – 7

4b In the day that the AGELESS ONE, God, made the earth and the heavens: 5 Before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had sprung up—for the AUTHOR OF LIFE, God, had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no human to till the humus—6 Yet a stream rose from the earth and watered the entire surface of the humus. 7 Then the MAKER OF ALL, God, crafted the human from the dust of the humus and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life and the human became a living being.

Psalm 139:1, 7–14

1 SOURCE OF LIFE, you have searched me and known me.
7 Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where from your presence can I flee?
8 If I ascend to the heavens, there you are;
if I recline in Sheol, see, it is you!
9 If I take up dawn’s wings
if I settle at the farthest reaches of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely darkness shall cover me,
and night will become light behind me,”
12 even darkness is not dark to you;
night is as daylight,
for dark is the same as light.
13 For it was you who crafted my inward parts;
you wove me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am awesomely and marvelously made.
Wonderous are your works;
that my soul knows full well.