While traveling during sabbatical, Pastor Matt and his family have been blessed to visit amazing churches and cathedrals in Europe. Visits included time to take in the history and beauty of sacred spaces, to pray (especially for the mission of Saint Luke), and even to worship, including a special festival Eucharist service at Westminster Abbey in London.
Pastor Matt’s Reflection
“I have been overwhelmed again and again by the beauty and history, from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the soaring architecture and stained glass of cathedrals in Italy, Paris, and London. I have also been humbled to reflect on the simple truth that Saint Luke is connected to a community of believers that has endured centuries of human history and has participated in transformation time and again as God has worked among us.” God continues to meet us at this point in human history, calling us forward into a future of yet-to-be-discovered transformation. May we join today with generations and centuries of God’s faithful people in praying for the vision to live into everything that God wants for this world and the faithfulness to actively participate in the mission of living out the next chapter in God’s unfolding story!
Travel with Pastor Matt
While it may not be the same as being in person with Pastor Matt, we too can get swept away in the beauty and history of the Sistine Chapel. Spend a few moments “exploring” the chapel online. You can either watch a video or take a virtual tour to get a glimpse of what Pastor Matt just experienced.
Once you have spent some time exploring, join us in reflection and praying for the following:
Reflect: What did you see that stood out to you? Pay attention to your emotions and notice what you felt. What might God be showing you through the beauty of the chapel?
Pray for Saint Luke: Join us as we ask for God to reveal to our congregation how we can faithfully and actively participate in the mission.
Pray for the world: Thank God for the generations and centuries of faithful people around the globe. Ask for the next chapter to unfold with us living into everything God desires for our world.