This is the day that the Lord has made.

That was the thought that bookended the beginning and end of the service this morning. Karen painted us a picture of her beautiful peaceful sunrise yesterday up at Gracefield, then to contrast this morning - the images of the fifteenth anniversary of the tragedy of Sept 11. But both these days were days that the Lord has made.

We are beginning to look at Genesis together and this morning Karen spoke to us about being made by God, and being brought to life with God's spirit. I was especially moved by the reminder that we are fashioned by God, like a potter making a vessel. It's work and you get dirt under your fingernails, but in the end theproduct has a little bit of the maker in its essence.

What really struck a chord with me was when Karen said the potter makes a vessel which is then used to serve others. We are given these beautiful days (and difficult ones too) but we are made in God's image to serve. It is one thing to be grateful for all the beauty and goodness around us, but we also have a responsibility to serve one another.

We ended this morning with the hymn, Joyful, joyful we adore you, and the words and music (and the chimes of the organ!) filled my heart. This is truly a day that the Lord has made, and I rejoice and am glad in it.

Maureen R.