From the Pastor's Desk (September 2026)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.~Colossians 3:23-24
As the Summer draws to a close each year, my mind always takes me to a few scenes in the Tom Hanks film, Big. His character is tired of the restrictions placed on being small, like not being able to join others in riding some of the larger rides in the local bustling carnival in that movie. He wishes on a Zoltar machine to be big, and that wish comes true. A child by age, but now in an adult body and working and living an adult life of labor, he quickly regrets his decision. Now Autumn, he begins searching for the Zoltar machine in what has become the quiet and desolate beach park (Rye Playland in Rye, NY), with the park shut down and Zoltar unplugged for the season, trying to reverse that curse and become a kid again.
Two very unrelated things strike me about that film as we approach Labor Day. One, it’s always mind-boggling to see the dramatic shift in activity in our favorite vacation destinations. I think of this often as I visit my friend in Ocean City, NJ, and have been there in summer when you can hardly walk because there are so many people, and have been there off-season when I am the only person I can see, as far as I can see, on the boardwalk. The extremes are mind boggling. When Labor Day hits (perhaps this is the reason for the timing of this holiday), everyone is back to work. Those who had off for summer are back in the classroom, and even those who work through the year, but possibly had some vacation time, have to wait another year before visiting that destination. By and large, Labor Day is just that – the beginning of another season of hard work.
But secondly, and more importantly, Labor Day reminds us of the value of our work, which the young man on Big had not yet discovered. It also reminds us of the rest we are hopefully able to get at least a little of from time to time. Even though we must choose a career that will pay the bills, the vast majority of them being secular in nature, that doesn’t mean we aren’t working for the Lord, as Colossians says. We are gifted with certain skills, which is often a consideration for our career, and that skillset will benefit other people. Above all, in helping other people, we also have the opportunity to showcase the God who gives us those gifts, and who loves the people we serve. The hope is, somehow – even if we can’t or don’t preach to them – the fruits of the Spirit in our lives will be evident and will inspire others.
And when our work is done for the day, the week, or the season – we are also called to rest. It is how we rejuvenate ourselves and spend quality time with the Lord – so we can continue to be valuable when the next round of work arrives. As Labor Day approaches, we will explore both of these concepts a little more during our Worship services. But pray about how your work, regardless of what you do, can be seen as working for the Lord and His people…because that’s something everyone can do. Happy Labor Day! ~Pastor Eric
As the Summer draws to a close each year, my mind always takes me to a few scenes in the Tom Hanks film, Big. His character is tired of the restrictions placed on being small, like not being able to join others in riding some of the larger rides in the local bustling carnival in that movie. He wishes on a Zoltar machine to be big, and that wish comes true. A child by age, but now in an adult body and working and living an adult life of labor, he quickly regrets his decision. Now Autumn, he begins searching for the Zoltar machine in what has become the quiet and desolate beach park (Rye Playland in Rye, NY), with the park shut down and Zoltar unplugged for the season, trying to reverse that curse and become a kid again.
Two very unrelated things strike me about that film as we approach Labor Day. One, it’s always mind-boggling to see the dramatic shift in activity in our favorite vacation destinations. I think of this often as I visit my friend in Ocean City, NJ, and have been there in summer when you can hardly walk because there are so many people, and have been there off-season when I am the only person I can see, as far as I can see, on the boardwalk. The extremes are mind boggling. When Labor Day hits (perhaps this is the reason for the timing of this holiday), everyone is back to work. Those who had off for summer are back in the classroom, and even those who work through the year, but possibly had some vacation time, have to wait another year before visiting that destination. By and large, Labor Day is just that – the beginning of another season of hard work.
But secondly, and more importantly, Labor Day reminds us of the value of our work, which the young man on Big had not yet discovered. It also reminds us of the rest we are hopefully able to get at least a little of from time to time. Even though we must choose a career that will pay the bills, the vast majority of them being secular in nature, that doesn’t mean we aren’t working for the Lord, as Colossians says. We are gifted with certain skills, which is often a consideration for our career, and that skillset will benefit other people. Above all, in helping other people, we also have the opportunity to showcase the God who gives us those gifts, and who loves the people we serve. The hope is, somehow – even if we can’t or don’t preach to them – the fruits of the Spirit in our lives will be evident and will inspire others.
And when our work is done for the day, the week, or the season – we are also called to rest. It is how we rejuvenate ourselves and spend quality time with the Lord – so we can continue to be valuable when the next round of work arrives. As Labor Day approaches, we will explore both of these concepts a little more during our Worship services. But pray about how your work, regardless of what you do, can be seen as working for the Lord and His people…because that’s something everyone can do. Happy Labor Day! ~Pastor Eric
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