Compliment

19 October 2022

A compliment is always a welcome shot in the arm!

Like you, I’ve endured people whose DNA seems to prohibit articulating affirmation to others. Thank God for folks who speak affirmation and encouragement upon their fellow travelers. Perhaps it’s a spiritual gift. Whatever their inspiration, encouraging partners brighten days, fill tanks, and help the world go round. (I’ll wait for another time to emphasize how the E in our CONNECT acronym standing for “encouraging others.”) What a delight for our impactful guest preacher this past Sunday, Pastor Katie Pasch, to offer three compliments to the COS faith community that I’d like to share with you.

First, she articulated appreciation of our new lighting system in the sanctuary. She noted her opinion that it marks a vast improvement on what she felt to be darker-than-expected worship space. Yes, we know we’ve got some tweaking to do with the new plan, but we deeply thank David Byers and team for their ongoing hard work leading the lighting improvement effort. God declares, “Let there be light!”

Secondly, Pastor Katie complimented us on our congregational diversity. It’s true, that COS has been blessed recently with more families who help us look more like God’s world-wide family. We’re better together. In that spirit, kudos to small groups and various leaders who are leaning into discussions on racism, inclusion, and how the Spirit is working in the related difficulties. Our congregational viewing of Emmanuel, exploring the power of forgiveness after the church shooting at Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina is one such example.

Thirdly, Pastor Katie, after praising the praise band, shared how captivated she felt with the lyrics of the hymns in traditional worship. I told her how David Beecher has been on a wonderful multi-month roll with finding beautiful, fresh, and timely lyrics that really drive our weekly worship themes.

So, friends, I’d like to close this WFW with a compliment and encouragement for YOU.

First, a compliment: Jesus sees YOU as salt and light. YOU are beautifying the world today as you authentically yet simply live out who God has designed you to be with a unique personality, passion, and baptismal promise. YOU make COS a vital community for the expansion of Jesus’ transformative love. YOU are valued, incredible, and pivotal.

Secondly, a word of encouragement: regardless of your context, challenge, or disposition today, Christ is WITH YOU right now. Jesus asked us to remember and celebrate daily his Great Commission promise, “I am with you always.” Life is often difficult. But Christ’s presence makes the difference.

Friends, I usually close with a prayer I pen, but today, may I invite you to pray three stanzas we sang on Sunday, masterfully selected by David Beecher? Would you pray these words with me, asking Christ’s presence for yourself and the whole world? Lyrics celebrate Christ giving you and me hope, Christ working through you and me today, and Christ beckoning us to join his joyful, living way.

Complimented in Christ with you,

Pastor Fritz

Let us pray . . . .

Christ in lines of people fleeing, praying that a war will cease;

Christ in battered women’s shelters, looking for a place of peace.

Christ with people sick or dying, loved ones trying hard to cope—

In this world of so much suffering, Christ, you give your people hope.

Christ with children who must struggle, working hard for daily food;

Christ in classrooms, learning, growing, asking questions, seeking good;

Christ in diners, waiting tables; Christ in homes where children play—

In this world of people working, Christ, you work through us today.

Christ with all who keep on struggling, helping others to be free;

Christ with churches working, searching for a greater unity;

Christ, in bread and wine, be with us, giving strength for each new day—

In this world of daily crosses, be our joyful, living way.

COS has purchased Gifts of Love (Geneva Press), where this hymn appears, and so has permission to reprint this hymn.