Dear Friends,

Note: If you’re reading along in James Howell’s 40 Treasured Verses this year, please know that the planned texts for August 16 and 23 are reversed. This coming Sunday, August 23, Jim Ferry will address Matthew 5:9.

So in a recent sermon I was talking about how strange worship is. Strange in a good way, a mysterious way, but strange nonetheless. We use words we don’t often use elsewhere and we do things that don’t really occur outside of a worship setting. Even some things that might seem similar to words and actions in other settings - e.g., I’ve had people say “thank you for your speech” when I’m sure they meant “thank you for the sermon” - they’re really more different than alike.

Passing the peace is one of those things that’s particularly strange outside of a worship setting. It is a liturgical act and not a social greeting. (The whole distinction of social gathering versus worship service is, in fact, a really big challenge for lots of worshippers. But I won’t go down that rabbit trail again. Or at least not yet.) At NRPC we perform that act of worship immediately after we’ve heard the good news of the gospel, that, “in Christ Jesus, we are loved and accepted, forgiven and freed.” Confident that God has made peace with us, we turn and make peace with our neighbors. And “Good morning!” simply does not accomplish what “Peace be with you!” accomplishes. (PS: After you’ve shared the peace of Christ with each other, “Good morning!” “Hope you are well?” and “Great to see you!” are absolutely fine things to say to one another! But please, oh please, don’t forgo passing the peace first.)

Many years ago (mercy, maybe a couple decades ago?) somebody’s peacemaking sermon sparked an idea in me and I began signing off of telephone calls by saying, “Peace to you!” Honestly, I can’t tell you that I’m particularly consistent with that any more, but I do think I still close a conversation that way more often that not (at least for church-related conversations). Early on I can remember someone saying, “oooh-kaaay...” in response to my cheery “Peace to you!” sign-off. And I’ve heard, “Alright. Bye?” more than a time or two. It is a banner day when, every once in a while, my conversation partner says, “And also with you!” It’s a small act of peacemaking.

It’s also been interesting to note how that ending shifts everything else I’ve been hearing or saying in whatever telephone (or in-person) conversation I might have been having. For example, it is profound for “Until we meet again, peace to you” to have been the last words I’ve said to someone who has subsequently died. Equally profound for a difficult or conflict-ridden conversation to conclude with “Peace to you”; exponentially profound when the peace is reciprocated! (I can recall a contentious job interview that did not go well by any stretch of the imagination; by the end of that conversation, I was certain that I wasn’t going to receive an offer - and pretty sure I’d refuse it if an offer did come my way - but I was absolutely certain that I wanted my last words to be words of peace.) “Peace to you” even transforms routine church business conversations into an act of worship.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus says. To be clear, peacemaking is not just for the United Nations. You and I are called to be peacemakers every. single. day. Passing the peace as an act of worship, then, prepares us to keep on passing the peace with each person we meet. It’s who we are meant to be.

I’ll miss you on Sunday, but you’ve got a treat in store as Jim Ferry, a semi-retired PCUSA pastor and friend, will be preaching while I eke out some away-time. Thanks be to God for Jim, and to Felicia Chang who will take on some of the other worship leadership I often do. Thanks be to God, indeed, for their willingness to share ministry gifts on August 23.

Peace,

Lisa

Photo credit: Candice Seplow on Unsplash.