Dear Rose Park,
Typically when we hear or read the word vow we think of a wedding. Images of a bride and groom standing at the altar making promises to love and care for one another in sickness and in health are conjured in our mind. However, vows are not limited to merely a wedding. As a pastor, I made vows when I was ordained; we made vows together when I was installed at Rose Park. This coming Sunday, we’ll make vows again as we welcome new members to Rose Park.
The following is from our liturgy when receiving new members into the congregation:
(The minister addresses the candidate)
Minister: Do you promise to accept the spiritual guidance of the church, to walk in a spirit of Christian love with this congregation, and to seek those things that make for unity, purity and peace?
Candidate: I do.
(The minister addresses the congregation)
Minister: Do you promise to love, encourage, and support these brothers and sisters by teaching the gospel of God’s love, by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God’s family in fellowship, prayer, and service?
Congregation: We do.
These are vows; vows to be in a covenant relationship together. Vows to be vulnerable and authentic enough to accept guidance, walk in love, speak with truth, listen with empathy, and serve our God with our whole lives. In all likelihood, you have made these vows, but perhaps you forgot the power, truth, and grace in these promises. Perhaps you’ve forgotten to walk in love, to seek unity, to teach the gospel of God’s love, to be an example of faith and character, and to support one another in fellowship, prayer, and service.
If that’s the case, then let this Sunday serve as a reaffirmation of your vows as a member of God’s family at Rose Park. Join us for worship and invite a friend on Worldwide Communion Sunday (10/2 at 10:00am) as we gather around the table of remembrance, communion, and hope to reaffirm our vows and realign our lives around Christ and His Kingdom.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark