Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

Last week I met with a couple who are getting married next month in California. I’ve been invited to officiate at their ceremony which I will gladly do. (I baptized the bride-to-be as an infant over twenty years ago!)

During our planning conversation, we went over all the passages of scripture we could read during the ceremony. This list includes about 30 passages which are appropriate for the occasion. On that list is 1 Corinthians 13. Have we not all been to a wedding where we hear 1 Corinthians 13 read during the ceremony?

I need to make a confession. I hope they don’t choose 1 Corinthians 13. Why?

It is such a rich and meaningful text where a wedding ceremony can hardly do it justice. It is complex, succinct, and beautifully written for sure. It is, however, written to a congregation deep in crisis and in petty conflict. A wedding ceremony certainly does not match the context of its writing – or at least I hope not!

We rarely get time to sit with this text of scripture in study and reflection. In all of the excitement of a wedding, we may not be in a place to spiritually consider what Paul is telling the Corinthians. Its message is ripe for today with our own crises and petty conflicts both in the Christian Church and in the world-at-large.

1 Corinthains 13 is our scripture reading for this Sunday as we continue our worship series, “For the Love of God.” I encourage you to listen to this week’s podcast Bible study on the passage before worship:

Podcast HERE

I believe we will all be challenged to love God and one another in new ways. Love is a gift given by the Lord for us to express freely and joyfully. Only love abides forever!

Should the couple ultimately choose 1 Corinthians 13, they should know their wedding sermon may run a little long. Just sayin’.

Grace to you all,

Craig+

Pastor Craig Brown

(September 29th, 2026)