"The Cycle of Life" by the Rev. Dr. Kristofer Lindh-Payne

St. Francis Spiritual Sustenance : October 18, 2022 ======================================

In today’s video, Kristofer reflects on the patterns of life and death all around us and how we can learn to pay attention and embrace the natural order to which God calls us. It is powerful to consider the way in which the seeds that were planted among us are now spreading out into the wider world around us, propagating, and bringing about new life. In this new role as Canon for Congregational Vitality for the Diocese, Kristofer gets to share with other churches much of the learning and growing we continue through together at St. Francis. As we ponder all that is springing up at our Parish & Community Center, all the ministries that are flourishing in this time of harvest, it is helpful to step back and get perspective on the larger ecosystem in which we are all planted and growing, dying and rising to new life.

John 12:23–26

Jesus said to his disciples, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”