Rochester, MN UCC - "Poured Out for Us" - Romans 5:1-5

For a long time, there was a framed print of a Vermeer painting entitled, “The Milkmaid,” on the wall of my parents’ bedroom. This painting features a young woman gently pouring a pitcher of milk into a bowl. I came to love this painting. The milkmaid was a fixture of my childhood, she was always there; always gently and carefully pouring from her pitcher, always faithfully filling the bowl.

 When I hear the words of Roman’s Chapter 5 verse 5, “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us,” I think of “The Milkmaid.” The good news of the gospel is that God is always there, always pouring out the Holy Spirit into our hearts, filling us with the love of God. We often stray from the guidance of the Holy Spirit; we often wander from the paths of God. But the offer of salvation is always there. Our gracious God is ever ready to welcome us home, to renew us with the Holy Spirit, to pour out Her love on us.

 Along with the apostle Paul, we believe that we have peace with God, that we stand in God’s grace, that we will share in God’s glory. Yet none of these are things that we achieve. Instead, they are gifts of God that we receive. This Sunday, join us in worship as we receive the gifts of God’s love, grace, and peace and give praise to our ever faithful and generous God!

 Rev. Andrew Greenhaw