Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever
and his faithfulness to all generations.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Louise Rogers was the organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church when I was the Pastor there. She had tremendous wisdom, borne from her years as the Pastor’s Wife and church secretary. She was also the chairwoman of the congregation’s women’s group.
When Louise asked for volunteers, she always said, “please sign-up for what you can gladly and cheerfully do”. The first time I heard her say that, I chuckled under my breath. After I thought about it and had the opportunity to hear her say it a few more times, I came to realize how wise she really was. Louise had learned the secret of a healthy Christian life. Do nothing out of obligation or selfish ambition.
Louise is no longer with us in this life, but I think of her often and use her wise maxims whenever I can.
Prayer: Playful and loving Lord, thank you for giving us this wonderful creation as our playground. Help us remember to never take ourselves to seriously and to always serve you with gladness and joy. AMEN