July 10, 2025
Dear Central Church,
“Day and night, night and day, let incense arise.” These lyrics from our Sunday morning worship service have been resonating in my mind and heart all week. Amidst the grief and tragic loss of families in Texas and New Mexico impacted by the floods and the complexity of circumstances so many other people in our world are dealing with in their lives, the lyrics of this song bring comfort, peace, and hope.
The conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David’s tree, appears as a slaughtered (but standing tall) Lamb in Revelation Chapter 5. The slain Lamb was the only one found worthy to open the scroll and break the seals. Revelation 5:8 describes the incredible moment in time when the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb in worship – each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people! YOUR prayers. MY prayers. OUR prayers. Every single one of them. The prayers of exaltation and worship to God. The prayers of pain, loss, and confusion. The prayers seeking direction and wisdom. The prayers of confession. The prayers of commitment. The prayers of intercession. Each one representing a sweet-smelling fragrance to our slain Lamb of God, conquering Lion, our Redeemer, and our Friend.
“Day and night, night and day” reminds us of the constant, ongoing worship we can experience in our daily lives. Our God is “worthy of it all.” Revelation 5:9 proclaims that the blood of the slain Lamb of God is for persons from every tribe, language, people group, and nation. As we live into our vision to be a multicultural church valuing passionate worship, life-giving community, Christ-like living, abundant generosity, and purposeful mission, we WILL find ourselves in community being this sweet-smelling fragrance to God and to our neighbor we are called to serve and love in the name of Jesus. May it be so “day and night, night and day” for Jesus is worthy of it all!
This Sunday at Central:
We’re honored to welcome Rev. Jim Ritchie as our guest speaker this Sunday at Central. Jim and his wife, Maggie, first met on a summer missions team in their home country of Scotland, where they both sensed a clear call to ministry. That call launched them into a lifelong journey of engaging in the mission of God—praying, giving, going, and leading with passion for more than 40 years. Jim currently serves as the Director of Global Missions for the Church of the Nazarene. Previously, he served as the Eurasia Regional Director and has also led as District Superintendent for the British Isles North and as senior pastor in Perth, Scotland. His deep commitment to global and local missions has shaped his ministry and continues to inspire others to live on mission.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Raymond