Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Pastor Paul's March Newsletter Article


Dear Friends in Christ,

Sometimes people ask me why I wear a black pulpit robe and stole in worship. The answer is as easy as saying it’s my work clothes.

Jerry and Robbie are great examples of guys who have particular work clothes. The clothes they wear have distinctive elements that show the world where they work. The patches and colors identify where they work. The grease they wear is a less formal kind of identifier; it shows that they work under the hoods and not in the corner offices.

As for me, I have choices about what I can wear in worship. Those choices I made are in the picture on the right. I wear a black pulpit robe. The origins of the black robe are from Scotland and Switzerland and point to the role of the Minister as a teacher. I believe one of the roles I am best suited to perform in the worship setting is teacher.

Something else I wear is a stole. The stole represents a yoke. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” To me, the stole the yoke of Christ.
 
The symbols on this cloak have specific meaning too. The stole itself is green. The colors around the sanctuary on most Sundays are green. I wear this stole on those Sundays. On the left side of the stole is a font and on the right side is a chalice. These are the symbols of the sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The sacraments tell the world who we are, what we believe, and how we are nourished in the life of faith. I wear these not just to show the world, but to remind myself who we are.

On a side note, I often wear hiking boots on my feet. I wear them for comfort, sure, but also as a reminder that our faith is lived on our feet. Our faith is in motion in the world.

Friends, this is how I put on my faith every Sunday. How we wear our faith everyday, now that’s a good question. Ephesians 6:10-17 teaches us the how’s to and why’s of getting dressed in the morning:

Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The next verse adds something very important, what we need to do first as soon as we are dressed:

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

When we prepare to meet the day, when we prepare to meet life head on, we need to be prepared in every way possible. I thank God that not only has he given us this wondrous armor, but a place to wear it. We need to suit up. We need to pray at all times. We need to keep alert. We need to persevere. I’m thankful that we are here in the sight of God to do it together.

See you in Church,
Paul

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