There is some major sewer work happening on our street these days and, for my construction-truck loving two year old, it is an absolute dream come true. Right out of our front window, he can see not one, not two, but THREE different excavators at work. Each one is a different size and he has taken to calling the largest one “Appa” excavator and the smallest one “Micah” excavator. It’s all very cute, but it’s also developmental. He is right in the throes of categorizing things and the best way to do it, if you’re starting off, is to understand what everything is in relation to you. This helps us to not only be oriented to the world around us, but even to our own selves. In a similar way, this is what the poets explore throughout the Psalms and especially those that could be categorized as “Psalms of orientation.”

Who is God and who am I, and who is God in relation to me? These are the questions explored, exalted, and amplified in Psalms of orientation. Psalm 8 opens in this way: “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! What are human beings that you would think about them?” One of the ways in which we find the answers to these kinds of questions is by exploring them in community–and there are plenty of ways to do that at City Church in the weeks to come. Whether it is joining for a prayer walk through Golden Gate Park, bringing a pot of chili or an add-on for this month’s Community Sunday meal, or exploring the commitment of membership at City Church, being part of community not only increases our understanding, but also our sense of connection and belonging to God and God’s people. So join us as we continue to find our voice through these events and on Sunday at 10am for worship – in person or online – exploring how the Psalms are written in the key of life.

Faithfully,
Pastor Emily