The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8)

​Summertime is once again here and with summer comes more time for leisure, vacation and travel. Living on the coast, many of us may choose to spend the summer in our own backyard enjoying the ocean and the beauty of nature. Just last weekend, Bill and I spotted a pod of humpbacks feeding right offshore. What a treat! On the other hand, many of us will hit unfamiliar roads to explore new parts of the country and the world or will journey down well-known paths to reconnect with family and friends. Many of our members, in fact, have already taken off on their adventures.
One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 121. I’m sure you will recognize it when you hear the first line, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?” Psalm 121 is known as a Psalm of Ascents or a Song of Ascents; one of 15 prayers in the Psalter that pilgrims would sing when they traveled to Jerusalem for festivals. (Psalms 120-134). With an elevation of about 2,500 ft above sea level and surrounded by valleys, no matter how you approach Jerusalem, you are going up hence these songs were called Songs of Ascents. I love the idea that for millennia, travelers have been counting on the fact that no matter whether they were coming or going, God accompanies us wherever we are. May the words of this psalm be on our lips during all of our comings and goings this summer.    
This summer, we will continue to worship here at Coastside Lutheran every Sunday morning at 9:30 both in person and online. One of the benefits of hybrid worship is that wherever you go, as long as you have internet access, you can continue to worship with your church family on zoom or on Facebook Live. We also post recordings of our worship services on YouTube and on our Facebook page so you can view them on “vacation time.” If you are staying home this summer and friends and family are coming to see you, bring them with you on Sunday morning to worship and enjoy fellowship.
Prayers for safe travel for all your summer journeys. Pastor Sue    
 
Psalm 121 A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills--
    from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day
    nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time on and forevermore.