A Congregational Psalm - February 26, 2010

Shabbat Shalom!

The Torah reading for Feburary 27, Tetzaveh, speaks of "kindling lamps regularly/continually." What we do for Temple Israel - and also for the general community - is like what our ancestors did when they lit ancient menorah and the Neir Tamid/Eternal Light in the Tabernacle and Temple. They kindled those lights to sanctify the place where they worshiped God, but the ritual was mostly for their benefit, to make them feel special and to involve them in a crucial and special task. Most anything we do for our families and community has a sanctity all its own. In light of my message below, praise for all of us at the times when we reach inside, to the deepest part of ourselves, so that we can give our best to others.

A Congregational Psalm

Praise to You, Eternal One, who inspires us to serve and enables us to grow through our service.
Praise for those who bake and cook, buy and share.
Praise for those who chair meetings and committees, offering direction for our future paths.
Praise for those who hand out prayerbooks, who shelve library books, and who study in and learn from textbooks.
Praise for teachers who impart their knowledge and experiences and also learn from their students.
Praise for students who contribute their knowledge to discussions and their spirit to their class.
Praise for those who create budgets, read spreadsheets, take minutes and make motions and vote based on wisdom and conscience.
Praise for those who fashion flyers, publish newsletters, and create art that is displayed in a prominent place on the wall!
Praise for those who attend worship, share insights, sing and say prayers with fervor and feeling, and schmooze with friends and newcomers at an Oneg Shabbat.
Praise for those who continue a family legacy through their membership and those who begin a new tradition by joining our congregation.
Praise for those who gaze at the animals on our grounds or enjoy the sight of a rainbow through the windows on a rainy day.
Praise for those who give of their time, their energy, and their resources and their ingenuity to enable the congregation to thrive.
Praise for those who attend when they can and those who care about our community’s well-being even when they can’t be with us.
Praise for those who offer their constant support and those who step forward at a crucial moment when their help is needed.
Praise for all of us, young in age and young at heart, for all that we have given and for all that we will continue to give for the good of Temple Israel!!!!