If you need something to uplift you today, or any day, watch or simply listen to the following video:
On Good Friday we enter into Jesus' passion with him, reflecting on his "seven last words" with love, sorrow, and hope.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ~Luke 23:34
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” ~Luke 23:43
He said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother. ” ~John 19:26-27
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) ~Mark 15:34
“I am thirsty.” ~John 19:28
“It is finished.” ~John 19:30
“Father, into you hands I commend my spirit.” ~Luke 23:46
Prayer from "Tides and Seasons: Modern Prayers in the Celtic Tradition" by David Adam
Lift Us Lord
Into the stormy sea
You descended and lifted Peter.
Into the storms of sickness
You descended and lifted Jairus's daughter.
Into the storms of madness
You descended and lifted Legion.
Into the storms of death
You descended and lifted Lazarus.
Into the storms of hell
You descended and lifted us all.
Lift us Lord,
From darkness to light
From sickness to health
From distress to calm.
Lift us Lord,
From sadness to joy
From fear to faith
From loneliness to love.
Lift us Lord,
In mind and in spirit
In word and in deed
In body and in soul.
Amen.
May you be moved by this beautiful performance of "Were You There"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRaFdFkOVyY
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ~Luke 23:34
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” ~Luke 23:43
He said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother. ” ~John 19:26-27
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) ~Mark 15:34
“I am thirsty.” ~John 19:28
“It is finished.” ~John 19:30
“Father, into you hands I commend my spirit.” ~Luke 23:46
Prayer from "Tides and Seasons: Modern Prayers in the Celtic Tradition" by David Adam
Lift Us Lord
Into the stormy sea
You descended and lifted Peter.
Into the storms of sickness
You descended and lifted Jairus's daughter.
Into the storms of madness
You descended and lifted Legion.
Into the storms of death
You descended and lifted Lazarus.
Into the storms of hell
You descended and lifted us all.
Lift us Lord,
From darkness to light
From sickness to health
From distress to calm.
Lift us Lord,
From sadness to joy
From fear to faith
From loneliness to love.
Lift us Lord,
In mind and in spirit
In word and in deed
In body and in soul.
Amen.
May you be moved by this beautiful performance of "Were You There"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRaFdFkOVyY
Palm Sunday Poem: Coming to the City Nearest You
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Jesus comes to the gate, to the synagogue,
to houses prepared for wedding parties,
to the pools where people wait to be healed,
to the temple where lambs are sold,
to gardens, beautiful in the moonlight.
He comes to the governor’s palace.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you,
to new subdivisions and trailer parks,
to penthouses and basement apartments,
to the factory, the hospital and the Cineplex,
to the big box outlet centre and to churches,
with the same old same old message,
unchanged from the beginning of time.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem,
the city nearest you with his Good News and…
Hope erupts! Joy springs forth!
The very stones cry out,
“Hosanna in the highest,
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The crowds jostle and push, they can’t get close enough!
People running alongside flinging down their coats before him!
Jesus, the parade marshal, waving, smiling.
The paparazzi elbow for room,
looking for that perfect picture for the headline,
“The Man Who Would Be King”.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you
and gets the red carpet treatment.
Children waving real palm branches from the florist,
silk palm branches from Wal-mart,
palms made from green construction paper.
Hosannas ringing in churches, chapels, cathedrals,
in monasteries, basilicas and tent-meetings.
King Jesus, honored in a thousand hymns
in Canada, Cameroon, Calcutta and Canberra.
We LOVE this great big powerful capital K King Jesus
coming in glory and splendor and majesty and awe and power and might.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Kingly, he takes a towel and washes feet.
With majesty, he serves bread and wine.
With honour, he prays all night.
With power, he puts on chains.
Jesus, King of all creation, appears in state
in the eyes of the prisoner, the AIDS orphan, the crack addict,
asking for one cup of cold water,
one coat shared with someone who has none,
one heart, yours,
and a second mile.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Can you see him?
"Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com"
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Jesus comes to the gate, to the synagogue,
to houses prepared for wedding parties,
to the pools where people wait to be healed,
to the temple where lambs are sold,
to gardens, beautiful in the moonlight.
He comes to the governor’s palace.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you,
to new subdivisions and trailer parks,
to penthouses and basement apartments,
to the factory, the hospital and the Cineplex,
to the big box outlet centre and to churches,
with the same old same old message,
unchanged from the beginning of time.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem,
the city nearest you with his Good News and…
Hope erupts! Joy springs forth!
The very stones cry out,
“Hosanna in the highest,
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The crowds jostle and push, they can’t get close enough!
People running alongside flinging down their coats before him!
Jesus, the parade marshal, waving, smiling.
The paparazzi elbow for room,
looking for that perfect picture for the headline,
“The Man Who Would Be King”.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you
and gets the red carpet treatment.
Children waving real palm branches from the florist,
silk palm branches from Wal-mart,
palms made from green construction paper.
Hosannas ringing in churches, chapels, cathedrals,
in monasteries, basilicas and tent-meetings.
King Jesus, honored in a thousand hymns
in Canada, Cameroon, Calcutta and Canberra.
We LOVE this great big powerful capital K King Jesus
coming in glory and splendor and majesty and awe and power and might.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Kingly, he takes a towel and washes feet.
With majesty, he serves bread and wine.
With honour, he prays all night.
With power, he puts on chains.
Jesus, King of all creation, appears in state
in the eyes of the prisoner, the AIDS orphan, the crack addict,
asking for one cup of cold water,
one coat shared with someone who has none,
one heart, yours,
and a second mile.
Jesus comes to Jerusalem, the city nearest you.
Can you see him?
"Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com"
Dear friends, March 2, 2021
“The Psalms are, in a sense, God’s way of holding space for us. They invite us to rejoice, wrestle, cry, complain, offer thanks, and shout obscenities before our Maker without self-consciousness and without fear. Life is full of the sort of joys and sorrows that don’t resolve neatly in a major key. God knows that. The Bible knows that. Why don’t we?” (Rachel Held Evans*, Inspired, p. 111)
“I am so angry at God.” “I am afraid.” “I’ve asked again and again and God doesn’t answer my prayers.” “My heart is broken.” “What am I supposed to do?”
So often in counseling folks, I have encouraged them to bring their questions, doubts, anger, fear, their deepest, rawest emotions to God. “God has very big shoulders,” I tell them, “look at the Psalms!” I love how Evans describes the Psalms as God “holding space for us” and, in her characteristically bold and honest style, she suggests that in them we may even find the invitation to shout obscenities! What she is saying is that God makes space, loving and accepting all of our human emotions, indeed inviting us to unload anything and everything! With whom else can we do that…really? Can we imagine being completely honest with God? We may as well go for it, for God knows us better than we know ourselves. We do well to add praying, singing, reciting, reading, sighing, whispering, or shouting the psalms to our toolbox for relief from our woes. No matter our sentiment, be it fearful or calm, grumpy or grateful, discouraged or hopeful, sorrowful or joyous, the Psalms have us covered. Surely this past year has brought with it more than enough opportunities to cry and lament. It has also presented us with countless reasons to rejoice and hold on to hope!
Do you have a favorite psalm or psalms? I hope you will share them with me either by email westhebronunitedpres@gmail.com or snail mail to HUPC 3153 County Route 30 Salem, NY 12865. If you like, you can share why the psalm is special to you.
I have so many! Here are a few of my favorites:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… you are familiar with all my ways. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… ~ from Psalm 139
Open my heart that compassion may be my companion; Where I meet pride, humble me;
Where I meet anger, calm my fears; Where I meet injustice, cause me to act in love's way. May I be as gentle as the doe, as fearless as the lion, as faithful as the dog.
~ from Psalm 17 (Nan Merrill)*
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits… ~ from Psalm 103
May the Psalms be your companion and friend, your hope and healing, your release and rejoicing, these Lenten days and always,
Pastor Laura
*Rachel Held Evans was a Christian columnist, blogger and author. (6/8/81 – 5/4/19)
*I highly recommend, Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, by NanMerrill. Merrill presents all 150 Psalms in a poetic, prayerful, inspirational style.
Dear Friends, Wednesday February 23, 2021
“How do you sell silence?” asks Father Richard Rohr in his book, Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation. Offer us concert or ballgame tickets, invitations to parties, 4th of July fireworks or nearly any other typical social event—these are easy to sell. But an invitation to silence? That’s a hard sell. Rohr goes on to ask, “How do you market that which is inherently unmarketable? How do you sell silence? How do you make attractive what feels like selling air or selling emptiness…?”
It’s true, silence makes most of us very uncomfortable. How used to the constant barrage of sounds, sights, and sensations we have become! Even in our rural setting we are uneasy without them as we carry around with us access to noise and excitement known as our cell phone. One cannot even pump gas in silence anymore as gas stations have decided we need to watch television or listen to the radio as we stand for those few minutes next to our car.
As Christians we claim the mystery that God created out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo), out of a formless void… the Spirit hovering over the silence. Rohr tells us that, “Silence precedes, undergirds, and grounds everything. Unless we learn to live there, go there, the rest of things—words, events, relationships, identities—all become rather superficial, without depth or context.”
Try to imagine for a moment the silence before creation… that’s nearly impossible. But we can recall times when we have been brought to silence before a stunning sunset or sunrise… silence watching a newborn sleep… stillness of a loved one taking their last breath. We know the silence that holds us as we gaze at the stars, rainbow, or mountaintop vista. Words, singing, shouting for joy, lifts our spirits and are gifts from God, pretty easy to sell. But regular doses of silence, especially in our noisy 21st century world, are, as well, essential to our spiritual well-being and growth. Jesus knew this and practiced silence, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35) “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret...” (Matthew 6:6)
If you have not already guessed, I am trying to sell you some silence!
Start small, a few minutes each day, or every hour, or when you rise in the morning or when you lay down at night.
No pressure and no need to use words!
Silence with eyes closed or open.
Silence alone or with another.
And it’s free!
Let me know how it goes!
You will notice, through the practice of silence, changes in heart, mind, and soul as you grow further into the likeness of Christ in compassion and love.
God, we thank you for the joy of sounds and sensations both sacred and secular. We also thank you for the gift of silence. Give us courage to enter it remembering that you are the giver of both. May we be blessed and grow in faith through them both. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
“How do you sell silence?” asks Father Richard Rohr in his book, Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation. Offer us concert or ballgame tickets, invitations to parties, 4th of July fireworks or nearly any other typical social event—these are easy to sell. But an invitation to silence? That’s a hard sell. Rohr goes on to ask, “How do you market that which is inherently unmarketable? How do you sell silence? How do you make attractive what feels like selling air or selling emptiness…?”
It’s true, silence makes most of us very uncomfortable. How used to the constant barrage of sounds, sights, and sensations we have become! Even in our rural setting we are uneasy without them as we carry around with us access to noise and excitement known as our cell phone. One cannot even pump gas in silence anymore as gas stations have decided we need to watch television or listen to the radio as we stand for those few minutes next to our car.
As Christians we claim the mystery that God created out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo), out of a formless void… the Spirit hovering over the silence. Rohr tells us that, “Silence precedes, undergirds, and grounds everything. Unless we learn to live there, go there, the rest of things—words, events, relationships, identities—all become rather superficial, without depth or context.”
Try to imagine for a moment the silence before creation… that’s nearly impossible. But we can recall times when we have been brought to silence before a stunning sunset or sunrise… silence watching a newborn sleep… stillness of a loved one taking their last breath. We know the silence that holds us as we gaze at the stars, rainbow, or mountaintop vista. Words, singing, shouting for joy, lifts our spirits and are gifts from God, pretty easy to sell. But regular doses of silence, especially in our noisy 21st century world, are, as well, essential to our spiritual well-being and growth. Jesus knew this and practiced silence, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35) “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret...” (Matthew 6:6)
If you have not already guessed, I am trying to sell you some silence!
Start small, a few minutes each day, or every hour, or when you rise in the morning or when you lay down at night.
No pressure and no need to use words!
Silence with eyes closed or open.
Silence alone or with another.
And it’s free!
Let me know how it goes!
You will notice, through the practice of silence, changes in heart, mind, and soul as you grow further into the likeness of Christ in compassion and love.
God, we thank you for the joy of sounds and sensations both sacred and secular. We also thank you for the gift of silence. Give us courage to enter it remembering that you are the giver of both. May we be blessed and grow in faith through them both. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends, February 17, 2021
On this Ash Wednesday 2021, we enter into the season and practice of Lent like no other. While we thank God that winter always turns to spring and Lent faithfully brings us to the celebration of Easter morning, they do so with the familiar cold of winter and yearly call to reflection and repentance. For out of ashes and the darkness of winter, hope holds its promise that we will emerge reborn, our faces, lives, and hearts turned upward toward the sun, and the Son of God, Risen!
Most especially now having endured nearly a year in pandemic time away, and having fully expected that life would have returned to normal, I resonate with the following poem by Thomas Merton. Like Merton we may wonder where we are going and what the road ahead will hold. We long for and can only guess when our exile will be complete.
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
By Thomas Merton (Roman Catholic Trappist monk, priest, writer, poet, theologian, social activist, and scholar of comparative religion.)
Merton’s prayer displays brutal honest and vulnerability. This man who had devoted his whole life to God, humbly laid his worries, fears, and failings before God. As poetry unfolded from Merton’s heart and pen, in the process of laying words with ink on paper, we read and hear movement from anxiety and doubt, to confidence and great hope! The road before him, formally cluttered with uncertainty and insecurity, is now paved with confidence and hope that his very efforts are pleasing to God, that God is faithful, and even in the shadow if death, that God is forever with him!
Beloved in Christ, as we journey the road ahead this Lent, I pray we will do so joining Merton in his prayer of hope. I pray that our weeks of reflection will be interspersed with great hope for our future, glimpses of joy in the journey, and confidence that, with Merton, our very desires to please God, do indeed please God!
May our Lent be one filled with transformation of heart, mind, soul as we lay ourselves and our path before our God who is our strength and our salvation!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:18
You are forever in my prayers and heart.
With love in Christ and with great hope for the days ahead,
Pastor Laura
On this Ash Wednesday 2021, we enter into the season and practice of Lent like no other. While we thank God that winter always turns to spring and Lent faithfully brings us to the celebration of Easter morning, they do so with the familiar cold of winter and yearly call to reflection and repentance. For out of ashes and the darkness of winter, hope holds its promise that we will emerge reborn, our faces, lives, and hearts turned upward toward the sun, and the Son of God, Risen!
Most especially now having endured nearly a year in pandemic time away, and having fully expected that life would have returned to normal, I resonate with the following poem by Thomas Merton. Like Merton we may wonder where we are going and what the road ahead will hold. We long for and can only guess when our exile will be complete.
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
By Thomas Merton (Roman Catholic Trappist monk, priest, writer, poet, theologian, social activist, and scholar of comparative religion.)
Merton’s prayer displays brutal honest and vulnerability. This man who had devoted his whole life to God, humbly laid his worries, fears, and failings before God. As poetry unfolded from Merton’s heart and pen, in the process of laying words with ink on paper, we read and hear movement from anxiety and doubt, to confidence and great hope! The road before him, formally cluttered with uncertainty and insecurity, is now paved with confidence and hope that his very efforts are pleasing to God, that God is faithful, and even in the shadow if death, that God is forever with him!
Beloved in Christ, as we journey the road ahead this Lent, I pray we will do so joining Merton in his prayer of hope. I pray that our weeks of reflection will be interspersed with great hope for our future, glimpses of joy in the journey, and confidence that, with Merton, our very desires to please God, do indeed please God!
May our Lent be one filled with transformation of heart, mind, soul as we lay ourselves and our path before our God who is our strength and our salvation!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:18
You are forever in my prayers and heart.
With love in Christ and with great hope for the days ahead,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends, Monday January 18, 2021
I write this letter on Monday afternoon, less than forty-eight hours before noon on Wednesday January 20, 2021, when the United States of America will swear in a new president and vice president. The nation and world will be watching and people of faith praying for peace and the safety for all.
I know that our beloved congregation and community members are not all are in agreement or happy about the transition. As after every presidential election, some are deeply disappointed and others elated. Debating the election results with you is not appropriate, nor is it my desire or responsibility as your pastor. What is part of my calling is leading us, as best I can, as a flawed human being, in Jesus’ way of peace and unity. Jesus longs for his family to work together to build up his kingdom giving us His peace, so very different from much which the world offers. I have been praying a favorite scripture, trusting the words of strength and encouragement Jesus gave to his disciples in the days before his arrest. Let us have faith in our Lord’s presence, for he did not leave us as orphans, but sent his Holy Spirit to be with us, to comfort, to guide, and to pray for us when we do not have the words.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.” ~John 14:27
I also have great hope for our country and our world. God is asking for our partnership as he is able to heal our history of hurt and lead us into a future of peace, unity, and love. I hope you will read the lyrics or sing along with the video link I included below, “We Are One in the Spirit”. May this beautiful hymn inspire us to answer our call to walk and work together with the Spirit so that those who see us will know, by our love, that we are followers of the true way of Jesus Christ.
Together, let us also join in prayers of blessing and safety for our outgoing President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and their families, as well as our incoming President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their families.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayers.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And I pray that our unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we will guard each other's dignity and save each other's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=henl3Vp_LM4
With love, gratitude, and great hope,
Pastor Laura
I write this letter on Monday afternoon, less than forty-eight hours before noon on Wednesday January 20, 2021, when the United States of America will swear in a new president and vice president. The nation and world will be watching and people of faith praying for peace and the safety for all.
I know that our beloved congregation and community members are not all are in agreement or happy about the transition. As after every presidential election, some are deeply disappointed and others elated. Debating the election results with you is not appropriate, nor is it my desire or responsibility as your pastor. What is part of my calling is leading us, as best I can, as a flawed human being, in Jesus’ way of peace and unity. Jesus longs for his family to work together to build up his kingdom giving us His peace, so very different from much which the world offers. I have been praying a favorite scripture, trusting the words of strength and encouragement Jesus gave to his disciples in the days before his arrest. Let us have faith in our Lord’s presence, for he did not leave us as orphans, but sent his Holy Spirit to be with us, to comfort, to guide, and to pray for us when we do not have the words.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.” ~John 14:27
I also have great hope for our country and our world. God is asking for our partnership as he is able to heal our history of hurt and lead us into a future of peace, unity, and love. I hope you will read the lyrics or sing along with the video link I included below, “We Are One in the Spirit”. May this beautiful hymn inspire us to answer our call to walk and work together with the Spirit so that those who see us will know, by our love, that we are followers of the true way of Jesus Christ.
Together, let us also join in prayers of blessing and safety for our outgoing President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and their families, as well as our incoming President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their families.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayers.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And I pray that our unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we will guard each other's dignity and save each other's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=henl3Vp_LM4
With love, gratitude, and great hope,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends, January 13, 2021
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… “Happy New Year” my family said to one another, ringing in the new year over Zoom, from Lake George, Niskayuna, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington state. Though this year we sat across computer screens, like any normal year, we ate snacks, wore party hats, and as the Times Square ball dropped, we lifted a toast to the year past and to the new one on the horizon. Yet, under cheers from our mouths and smiles on our faces, we also wore grief that night. Of course we give thanks for the health of our family, the technology to stay in touch, the emerging vaccine, hope for our future and the eventual return to normalcy. But I have to admit my deep sorrow over the many losses of this year. I have to be honest that there are days when I am nearly overwhelmed with grief, missing those who died this year, missing my children and grandchildren in the flesh, missing the seeming frivolity of going to dinner with friends. My heart breaks with our community who cannot fathom what it feels like to lose one’s home and 4-month-old to a fire or 4-year-old to an accident. (local tragedies) We worry about the consequences of isolation on our seniors and students alike as we do our best to balance safety and risk in this pandemic. We sat in horror last week as our blessed US Capitol building was desecrated and the work of democracy threatened. Our grief is compounded as simultaneously the virus does its best to strengthen its grip on our communities, states, nation, and world. And on top of it all, we each face our own personal losses, trials, and crises.
I did not want, or set out, to write a letter of woe, but if these things are on my mind and heart, I suspect they are on many of yours as well. So what are we to do? Tears, mourning, and lament are gifts from God and it is through their expression that we begin to heal. As I encourage grieving families to openly mourn their loss, I implore us to take time in this new year to do the same. Broken hearts need time to mourn, and so, in this season, let us allow ourselves to shed tears and lift up to God that which is weighing on our hearts. And then, after a time, we’ll begin to see hope on the horizon, bright stars in the night sky, goodness even in the midst of chaos. The tapestry of our lives is woven with threads of pain and joy, but always, always, held close to the heart of God and in the prayers of friends in faith.
I close my thoughts with scripture passages that have sustained me and continue to carry me through these days:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
With love and hope,
Pastor Laura
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… “Happy New Year” my family said to one another, ringing in the new year over Zoom, from Lake George, Niskayuna, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington state. Though this year we sat across computer screens, like any normal year, we ate snacks, wore party hats, and as the Times Square ball dropped, we lifted a toast to the year past and to the new one on the horizon. Yet, under cheers from our mouths and smiles on our faces, we also wore grief that night. Of course we give thanks for the health of our family, the technology to stay in touch, the emerging vaccine, hope for our future and the eventual return to normalcy. But I have to admit my deep sorrow over the many losses of this year. I have to be honest that there are days when I am nearly overwhelmed with grief, missing those who died this year, missing my children and grandchildren in the flesh, missing the seeming frivolity of going to dinner with friends. My heart breaks with our community who cannot fathom what it feels like to lose one’s home and 4-month-old to a fire or 4-year-old to an accident. (local tragedies) We worry about the consequences of isolation on our seniors and students alike as we do our best to balance safety and risk in this pandemic. We sat in horror last week as our blessed US Capitol building was desecrated and the work of democracy threatened. Our grief is compounded as simultaneously the virus does its best to strengthen its grip on our communities, states, nation, and world. And on top of it all, we each face our own personal losses, trials, and crises.
I did not want, or set out, to write a letter of woe, but if these things are on my mind and heart, I suspect they are on many of yours as well. So what are we to do? Tears, mourning, and lament are gifts from God and it is through their expression that we begin to heal. As I encourage grieving families to openly mourn their loss, I implore us to take time in this new year to do the same. Broken hearts need time to mourn, and so, in this season, let us allow ourselves to shed tears and lift up to God that which is weighing on our hearts. And then, after a time, we’ll begin to see hope on the horizon, bright stars in the night sky, goodness even in the midst of chaos. The tapestry of our lives is woven with threads of pain and joy, but always, always, held close to the heart of God and in the prayers of friends in faith.
I close my thoughts with scripture passages that have sustained me and continue to carry me through these days:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
With love and hope,
Pastor Laura
Merry Christmas
Greetings 2020!
Dear friends,
Like the sugar plums of Clement C. Moore’s, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, animated children’s voices and gleeful images from the best Christmas pageant ever are dancing in my head! How thankful I am for:
Diane’s excitement and technological wizardry, our children’s and families’ enthusiasm and imagination, and the sidesplitting laughter Phill and I shared as we filmed our own contribution to the video. Comments included, “that was the best pageant I have ever seen”, “I want to watch it again”, and “that was so much fun!”
In Advent weeks filled with disappointment: going back to Zoom only, live nativity cancelled, no post-Pageant chicken and biscuits Christmas dinner, who would have guessed that we’d be all abuzz in joy and delight? Maybe I could have, should have guessed… because of who you are, dear Hebron United friends- creative, resilient, generous, faithful, welcoming, strong. While we’d never have chosen 2020’s sorrowful, challenging, often lonesome path, there is no denying we have also been making sugar plum memories- sweet remembrances of the faces and voices of those we love over Zoom, the new inclusion of family and friends from afar, youth leadership, guest preachers, talented musicians, faithful brilliant tech folks, wonderful wiggling children on living room couches, even celebrating the Lord’s Supper remotely!
What joys… what strange, poignant, yet wonderful memories we are making in amidst of the chaos of the world! Just imagine the conversations over Christmas dinner tables in the years to come, when we’ll say to each other,
“Remember the year…”
Monday, December 21st brings both the longest night and another oddity to 2020, the astronomical wonder of what some are calling, the Christmas star*, when Jupiter and Saturn will appear as “one star” in the night sky—an event that has not occurred in 800 years! Was this the “star” that guided the shepherds and kings to the manger? We will never know. But even if cloud cover prevents us from seeing this brilliant light in our western sky Monday evening, we will have faith that it is there. So also will we have faith that no matter what may try to mar our view on this Christmas Eve 2020, the radiant light of Christ will shine in our darkness, our hearts will fill with joy, and sweet memories will be made, as once again we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
“Twas the night before Christmas 2020 and they gathered across Zoom.
On computers and phonelines from warm living rooms. Sacred spaces with candles, communion bread and cup were prepared with great faith that it would be enough. And it was, for with joy they all did their part to welcome dear Jesus into their home and their heart!”
Beloved ones, that is our Christmas gift this historical 2020, that no matter our past, present, or future, we will celebrate… we will remember…
and we will give thanks for,
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
With love and prayers for a safe, healthy and most joyous Christmas,
Pastor Laura
* https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn
Greetings 2020!
Dear friends,
Like the sugar plums of Clement C. Moore’s, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, animated children’s voices and gleeful images from the best Christmas pageant ever are dancing in my head! How thankful I am for:
Diane’s excitement and technological wizardry, our children’s and families’ enthusiasm and imagination, and the sidesplitting laughter Phill and I shared as we filmed our own contribution to the video. Comments included, “that was the best pageant I have ever seen”, “I want to watch it again”, and “that was so much fun!”
In Advent weeks filled with disappointment: going back to Zoom only, live nativity cancelled, no post-Pageant chicken and biscuits Christmas dinner, who would have guessed that we’d be all abuzz in joy and delight? Maybe I could have, should have guessed… because of who you are, dear Hebron United friends- creative, resilient, generous, faithful, welcoming, strong. While we’d never have chosen 2020’s sorrowful, challenging, often lonesome path, there is no denying we have also been making sugar plum memories- sweet remembrances of the faces and voices of those we love over Zoom, the new inclusion of family and friends from afar, youth leadership, guest preachers, talented musicians, faithful brilliant tech folks, wonderful wiggling children on living room couches, even celebrating the Lord’s Supper remotely!
What joys… what strange, poignant, yet wonderful memories we are making in amidst of the chaos of the world! Just imagine the conversations over Christmas dinner tables in the years to come, when we’ll say to each other,
“Remember the year…”
Monday, December 21st brings both the longest night and another oddity to 2020, the astronomical wonder of what some are calling, the Christmas star*, when Jupiter and Saturn will appear as “one star” in the night sky—an event that has not occurred in 800 years! Was this the “star” that guided the shepherds and kings to the manger? We will never know. But even if cloud cover prevents us from seeing this brilliant light in our western sky Monday evening, we will have faith that it is there. So also will we have faith that no matter what may try to mar our view on this Christmas Eve 2020, the radiant light of Christ will shine in our darkness, our hearts will fill with joy, and sweet memories will be made, as once again we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
“Twas the night before Christmas 2020 and they gathered across Zoom.
On computers and phonelines from warm living rooms. Sacred spaces with candles, communion bread and cup were prepared with great faith that it would be enough. And it was, for with joy they all did their part to welcome dear Jesus into their home and their heart!”
Beloved ones, that is our Christmas gift this historical 2020, that no matter our past, present, or future, we will celebrate… we will remember…
and we will give thanks for,
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
With love and prayers for a safe, healthy and most joyous Christmas,
Pastor Laura
* https://www.nasa.gov/feature/the-great-conjunction-of-jupiter-and-saturn
Dear friends, December 8, 2020
Oh how excited we are to have five beautiful Advent trees on the front lawn of the church! Harvested, with love, from the Akland farm, the trees arrived the day after Thanksgiving. I tell you; no Nor’easter winds will be able to blow these trees over thanks to the Hebron elves who set them up! With great expectation, some of the team returned after dark to test them out, prepared to oooh and ahh, and bask in our artistry. Our excitement was surely akin to those gathered at Rockefeller Center for their magnificent tree lighting ceremony! The trees designed were to model the colors of our Advent candles; purple, purple, pink, purple and glorious white in the center. One, two, three, plug them in and… “Wow!? They’re all pink!”
While the order said purple, the package said purple, yet our eyes beheld… pink! Four pink trees. Oh dear…
How thankful I am for Chris, Susan and Skosh, and Phill, who all gracefully agreed that it was going to be okay. We even chuckled a bit. Our Advent purple trees of Hope, Peace, and Love are all… pink, the color of Joy! Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy! It is the one sentiment we may have particular difficulty grasping this Advent and yet here we are with a lawn full of pink trees. By the time we gather for our Live Nativity and Sanctuary Walk Through on the evening of Sunday December 20th, all four trees will be lit.
Maybe the surprise of this unwelcome glitch in our precious plan is just what we need this year… a little more Joy! This coming Sunday, the 3rd of Advent, we light the pink candle of Joy. Both the color and mood of the season is paused for this Sunday. The purple of contemplation, self-examination, expectant waiting, takes a short break as we remember that Advent, while serious, is not sorrowful! Even during pandemic we can smile and rejoice that the Lord is near, Jesus is coming soon! We will celebrate his birth and the mystery that he will come again and that is reason to take joy!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” ~Philippians 4:4
I hope you will take a safe evening drive to check out our display! And let me know if perhaps, possibly, perhaps look at least a little bit purple to you?
May you know the Joy of the Lord not just this Sunday, but always!
Pastor Laura
Oh how excited we are to have five beautiful Advent trees on the front lawn of the church! Harvested, with love, from the Akland farm, the trees arrived the day after Thanksgiving. I tell you; no Nor’easter winds will be able to blow these trees over thanks to the Hebron elves who set them up! With great expectation, some of the team returned after dark to test them out, prepared to oooh and ahh, and bask in our artistry. Our excitement was surely akin to those gathered at Rockefeller Center for their magnificent tree lighting ceremony! The trees designed were to model the colors of our Advent candles; purple, purple, pink, purple and glorious white in the center. One, two, three, plug them in and… “Wow!? They’re all pink!”
While the order said purple, the package said purple, yet our eyes beheld… pink! Four pink trees. Oh dear…
How thankful I am for Chris, Susan and Skosh, and Phill, who all gracefully agreed that it was going to be okay. We even chuckled a bit. Our Advent purple trees of Hope, Peace, and Love are all… pink, the color of Joy! Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy! It is the one sentiment we may have particular difficulty grasping this Advent and yet here we are with a lawn full of pink trees. By the time we gather for our Live Nativity and Sanctuary Walk Through on the evening of Sunday December 20th, all four trees will be lit.
Maybe the surprise of this unwelcome glitch in our precious plan is just what we need this year… a little more Joy! This coming Sunday, the 3rd of Advent, we light the pink candle of Joy. Both the color and mood of the season is paused for this Sunday. The purple of contemplation, self-examination, expectant waiting, takes a short break as we remember that Advent, while serious, is not sorrowful! Even during pandemic we can smile and rejoice that the Lord is near, Jesus is coming soon! We will celebrate his birth and the mystery that he will come again and that is reason to take joy!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” ~Philippians 4:4
I hope you will take a safe evening drive to check out our display! And let me know if perhaps, possibly, perhaps look at least a little bit purple to you?
May you know the Joy of the Lord not just this Sunday, but always!
Pastor Laura
Dear friends in faith, October 31, 2020
Following up on our commitment to humbly examine our hearts, minds, intentions, actions, thoughts, so that we may be a part of the healing our world, communities, and own hearts need, I offer you this reflection from https://d365.org/
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
“But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.” Matthew 23:8-12
This passage is hard to read and not think about the way our culture places people on pedestals… And then we’re shocked when they begin to believe the labels we have attached to them. This happens with celebrities, athletes, and politicians.
Since today is Halloween, consider the masks that people wear or allow to be put upon them. When these masks are worn to make one greater than another, then the person stands in contrast to what Jesus taught.
Be humble.
Be a servant.
These words even echo a passage from Micah, chapter 6, verse 8:
“Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.”
The words of Micah and Jesus this week are summed up in that verse. These nine words guide you and me to not be led astray. We seek the well-being of others. We offer grace and forgiveness when mistakes are made. We bow before God, rather than trying to glorify ourselves.
Do justice.
Love mercy.
Walk humbly with your God.
God, protect my heart and mind from the things that would lead me away from you. Help me see where I am weak and you are strong. Amen.
You are the light of your community.
You are the salt of the neighborhood.
You carry God’s truth to the places you go.
Be confident that imitating Christ is your call, even imperfectly.
Be bold in lifting others up in a world that seeks to put them down.
Remember your brothers and sisters, and pray for them this day.
Amen.
Brian Foreman is the Executive Director of the Center for Church and Community at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.
Following up on our commitment to humbly examine our hearts, minds, intentions, actions, thoughts, so that we may be a part of the healing our world, communities, and own hearts need, I offer you this reflection from https://d365.org/
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
“But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.” Matthew 23:8-12
This passage is hard to read and not think about the way our culture places people on pedestals… And then we’re shocked when they begin to believe the labels we have attached to them. This happens with celebrities, athletes, and politicians.
Since today is Halloween, consider the masks that people wear or allow to be put upon them. When these masks are worn to make one greater than another, then the person stands in contrast to what Jesus taught.
Be humble.
Be a servant.
These words even echo a passage from Micah, chapter 6, verse 8:
“Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.”
The words of Micah and Jesus this week are summed up in that verse. These nine words guide you and me to not be led astray. We seek the well-being of others. We offer grace and forgiveness when mistakes are made. We bow before God, rather than trying to glorify ourselves.
Do justice.
Love mercy.
Walk humbly with your God.
God, protect my heart and mind from the things that would lead me away from you. Help me see where I am weak and you are strong. Amen.
You are the light of your community.
You are the salt of the neighborhood.
You carry God’s truth to the places you go.
Be confident that imitating Christ is your call, even imperfectly.
Be bold in lifting others up in a world that seeks to put them down.
Remember your brothers and sisters, and pray for them this day.
Amen.
Brian Foreman is the Executive Director of the Center for Church and Community at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.
Dear friends in faith, 10/28/2020
For weeks now, the Word of God has urged us to consider our faithfulness in truly loving our neighbors, making forbearance, bearing with one another in difficult times, our practice. And it is not easy! This past Sunday we mined a diamond from amidst Jeremiah’s oracle of judgment and doom.
“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. …this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” ~Jeremiah 31:31, 33
Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
And he replied, “Love… love God… love your neighbor.” The law written upon our hearts is love and it is on this love that all the other laws hang.
LOVE is written upon our hearts and it’s to look like this:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Wow, love is not boastful or rude, doesn’t insist on its own way, love believes, hopes, and endures all things! Do my attempts at loving others look like that? I’m not so sure. Even without the pandemic, if we are truthful, the next few weeks and months are going to be even harder than the last. Let’s put it out there… sometime after Tuesday November 3, 2020, no matter the results, some will be devastated and others will be delighted in the election outcome. How can we survive this? We have got to get in touch with our hearts… our authentic, true, God-given selves… and our communal hearts… capable of feeling and living out those indelible words inscribed by God’s hand.
What if we were able to get in touch with our own hearts? To examine, not only the ache, struggle, anger, and fear, but also the joy, hope, Christ-like love, spirit of cooperation, and compassion that is inscribed on our hearts? Please join me what I believe has the power to reconnect our heads to our hearts, to God, and to one another-- the ancient practice of “The Consciousness Examen”! (outline below)
Each evening we are invited to enter into prayer, humbly, honestly, and kindly examining our own conscience… our own heart where God’s love is written. The Spirit is going to help each of us, as individuals, and all of us, as the united body of Christ, to reconnect with God’s call to love. This is not an exercise of judgment of self-condemnation, but of love, unity, and growth in relationship with God and one another. And I believe it can help us survive and even thrive during these tumultuous times.
We can do this, dear friends, not merely surviving, but defying division and stress, while growing closer in love and faith.
With love in Christ and thanksgiving for you,
Pastor Laura
The Consciousness Examen (of our hearts and minds)
This spiritual exercise grows out of a meditative practice rooted in the Hebrew experience, and cited in the Hebrew scriptures, especially in the psalms. In these prayers we discover an awareness of both the good and the difficult experiences in life, and with this awareness an acknowledgement of how persons responded, along with a reflection on God’s presence in it all. (eg. Psalm 139:23-24; 142; 77; 27) In time this practice was more formalized within the Ignatian tradition and became known as the Consciousness Examen (a reflection on our life experience).
The following outline offers guidance in the practice of the spiritual discipline. It may be practiced daily, weekly, or you may choose to take it with you into retreat for a day and to allow more time for solitude and prayerful reflection on your life.
1. For what am I thankful? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you look back over the last day or week. Let the events unfold and pass before you. In this relaxed recall, of people and events, for what are you thankful?
2. Where have I noticed God at work? In others… in the larger world… in myself?
3. What attitudes are forming in me?
5. Be grateful. Rest in the presence of God.
For weeks now, the Word of God has urged us to consider our faithfulness in truly loving our neighbors, making forbearance, bearing with one another in difficult times, our practice. And it is not easy! This past Sunday we mined a diamond from amidst Jeremiah’s oracle of judgment and doom.
“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. …this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” ~Jeremiah 31:31, 33
Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
And he replied, “Love… love God… love your neighbor.” The law written upon our hearts is love and it is on this love that all the other laws hang.
LOVE is written upon our hearts and it’s to look like this:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Wow, love is not boastful or rude, doesn’t insist on its own way, love believes, hopes, and endures all things! Do my attempts at loving others look like that? I’m not so sure. Even without the pandemic, if we are truthful, the next few weeks and months are going to be even harder than the last. Let’s put it out there… sometime after Tuesday November 3, 2020, no matter the results, some will be devastated and others will be delighted in the election outcome. How can we survive this? We have got to get in touch with our hearts… our authentic, true, God-given selves… and our communal hearts… capable of feeling and living out those indelible words inscribed by God’s hand.
What if we were able to get in touch with our own hearts? To examine, not only the ache, struggle, anger, and fear, but also the joy, hope, Christ-like love, spirit of cooperation, and compassion that is inscribed on our hearts? Please join me what I believe has the power to reconnect our heads to our hearts, to God, and to one another-- the ancient practice of “The Consciousness Examen”! (outline below)
Each evening we are invited to enter into prayer, humbly, honestly, and kindly examining our own conscience… our own heart where God’s love is written. The Spirit is going to help each of us, as individuals, and all of us, as the united body of Christ, to reconnect with God’s call to love. This is not an exercise of judgment of self-condemnation, but of love, unity, and growth in relationship with God and one another. And I believe it can help us survive and even thrive during these tumultuous times.
We can do this, dear friends, not merely surviving, but defying division and stress, while growing closer in love and faith.
With love in Christ and thanksgiving for you,
Pastor Laura
The Consciousness Examen (of our hearts and minds)
This spiritual exercise grows out of a meditative practice rooted in the Hebrew experience, and cited in the Hebrew scriptures, especially in the psalms. In these prayers we discover an awareness of both the good and the difficult experiences in life, and with this awareness an acknowledgement of how persons responded, along with a reflection on God’s presence in it all. (eg. Psalm 139:23-24; 142; 77; 27) In time this practice was more formalized within the Ignatian tradition and became known as the Consciousness Examen (a reflection on our life experience).
The following outline offers guidance in the practice of the spiritual discipline. It may be practiced daily, weekly, or you may choose to take it with you into retreat for a day and to allow more time for solitude and prayerful reflection on your life.
1. For what am I thankful? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you look back over the last day or week. Let the events unfold and pass before you. In this relaxed recall, of people and events, for what are you thankful?
2. Where have I noticed God at work? In others… in the larger world… in myself?
3. What attitudes are forming in me?
- Fear, anxiety, guilt, anger, shame, hostility, avoidance, etc.?
- Faith (my response to God: when I turned to God in some way)
- Hope (my response in the face of difficulties)
- Love (my responses to my self, others); areas in my day when I have responded to God’s love at work in me.
- Toward God, yourself, and others?
- Away from God, yourself, others?
5. Be grateful. Rest in the presence of God.
Dear friends in faith, October 21, 2020
“Not Everything is Cancelled”
(unknown author, https://blog.mercy.com/coronavirus-covid-19-messages-hope-prayers-poems/)
Not everything is cancelled…
Sun is not cancelled
Spring is not cancelled
Relationships are not cancelled
Love is not cancelled
Reading is not cancelled
Devotion is not cancelled
Music is not cancelled
Imagination is not cancelled
Kindness is not cancelled
Conversations are not cancelled
Hope is not cancelled
And God’s love for HIS people is never cancelled.
I found the above poem on the Mercy Health Hospitals website. You and I have visited this concept before… looking for all of the things which have not changed or been canceled. Fall has not changed- not stunning autumn leaves, smiling pumpkins, or tangy apple cider. Children still laugh and babies cry. Hands fold, faces lift up, and arms open in prayer. We grow older, hopefully wiser. Autumn leaves fly, branches bare will embrace snowflakes as they dance from the sky. We will still give thanks on the fourth Thursday in November. We will light Advent candles, purple and pink. We will light the Christ candle, once again welcoming Emmanuel, God with us, into our hearts and lives.
Too many hearts are broken, grieving loved ones lost to the virus and countless others ache for family far away. Still I dare say more remains unscathed, precious things unharmed, than have been altered by Covid-19!
Will you join me in a pre-Thanksgiving exercise and take a moment to add to the above poem, making it your own? What other things treasured, have not been canceled or changed? Maybe even find a few that make you laugh, like dust and dirty laundry?
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
~Lamentations 3:22-24
In thanksgiving for you,
Pastor Laura
“Not Everything is Cancelled”
(unknown author, https://blog.mercy.com/coronavirus-covid-19-messages-hope-prayers-poems/)
Not everything is cancelled…
Sun is not cancelled
Spring is not cancelled
Relationships are not cancelled
Love is not cancelled
Reading is not cancelled
Devotion is not cancelled
Music is not cancelled
Imagination is not cancelled
Kindness is not cancelled
Conversations are not cancelled
Hope is not cancelled
And God’s love for HIS people is never cancelled.
I found the above poem on the Mercy Health Hospitals website. You and I have visited this concept before… looking for all of the things which have not changed or been canceled. Fall has not changed- not stunning autumn leaves, smiling pumpkins, or tangy apple cider. Children still laugh and babies cry. Hands fold, faces lift up, and arms open in prayer. We grow older, hopefully wiser. Autumn leaves fly, branches bare will embrace snowflakes as they dance from the sky. We will still give thanks on the fourth Thursday in November. We will light Advent candles, purple and pink. We will light the Christ candle, once again welcoming Emmanuel, God with us, into our hearts and lives.
Too many hearts are broken, grieving loved ones lost to the virus and countless others ache for family far away. Still I dare say more remains unscathed, precious things unharmed, than have been altered by Covid-19!
Will you join me in a pre-Thanksgiving exercise and take a moment to add to the above poem, making it your own? What other things treasured, have not been canceled or changed? Maybe even find a few that make you laugh, like dust and dirty laundry?
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
~Lamentations 3:22-24
In thanksgiving for you,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends in faith, July 28, 2020
May your spirit be lifted by this beautiful hymn (link below), giving you good courage to
endure your struggles and also to partner with Jesus in healing our history
and present evil and hate.
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay healthy, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Based on words from Bishop Desmond Tutu's African Prayer Book: "Victory is Ours"
"Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us."
Music from John Bell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ydJ4JTEYw
May your spirit be lifted by this beautiful hymn (link below), giving you good courage to
endure your struggles and also to partner with Jesus in healing our history
and present evil and hate.
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay healthy, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Based on words from Bishop Desmond Tutu's African Prayer Book: "Victory is Ours"
"Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us."
Music from John Bell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ydJ4JTEYw
Dear friends in faith, July 22, 2020
It is my pleasure to share with you a story brought to my attention by our friend and member, Al Budde. Though originally a news story from three years ago, I promise that it will lift our spirits, renew our confidence in the inherent goodness of humankind, and inspire us to see where we might meet the needs of others, even as we are still primarily tethered to home.
How? For starters- how about, donating to Sidewalk Samaritan or food pantries, sending cards, making phone calls, giving to your church or reputable charities, speaking less and listening more, saying the magic words- thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, and fervently praying, praying, praying!
From Al: I don’t know if folks outside of Texas know the story of Jim MacIngvale, or “Mattress Mack”. He started selling furniture and yes, mattresses, decades ago in TV ads around Houston that could only be described as cheap and loud. He was a nice man though, and a pious one, and so just became a part of the local landscape. Until one day… Hurricane Harvey hit - twice. August 25, 2017 in Corpus Christi and again four days later in Beaumont, leaving over 4,000 Texas homes and facilities without power for weeks from all of the flooding – especially in Houston, the state’s largest city – becoming one of the most costly and devastating storms ever to hit Texas.
Thousands escaped the high water but found nowhere to go. Even the mega-churches’ doors were closed. But not Mattress Mack. He left his own flooding home and opened two of his Gallery Furniture Stores – not for business, but for the hundreds of people looking for refuge. He also sent out trucks into the flood looking for those in need of a ride. People - drenched and exhausted - were welcomed in and fell gratefully onto a mattress and fell asleep. “I’m worried about these people.” He said. He also provided breakfast, lunch and dinner to the evacuees. "We thank Mr. Mack for opening up his doors to us, because we didn't know where our next meal was going to come from, or our clothes on our back," said a grateful evacuee. "We're going to keep these folks here for as long as they need to be here. They may be here three days, they may be here seven, who knows. We're here to help and that's what we do, that's who we are," Mack said. "For him to open his door and say, if you're affected by the flood, come in. And I mean you had people wet, you had people dirty, who does that?" said another. "You have to see it to believe it, it's real. I mean he has a heart of gold. Just look around. The man is an angel."
He also famously gives housefuls of furniture to deserving families each Christmas. When at last the water receded, people saw Mattress Mack in an entirely new light. Now there is a seven-part documentary series on his life, he was tapped by the governor to chair the state’s COVID task force, and there is even a petition going around to create an official Mattress Mack Day. He said it never occurred to him not to open his doors...but it must have cost him dearly in lost inventory! And to think that before all of this all most people saw was a loud, clamoring furniture salesman on TV…
****************************************
Thank you, Al!
Last Sunday I asked us, “Beloved, one day we will be looking back upon these months and Sundays apart. They will become a memory. How will we commemorate these times? What will our memorial stones look like… of our time when our homes became Bethel (house of God)? Will the history we write for future generations be one of misery and strife… or of hope, dreams, and miraculous change for good? Extravagant generosity, kindness, and love is Mack’s memorial stone from the midst of disaster during Hurricane Harvey!
Yes, what will our memorial stones to the loving,
faithful presence of God in these days look like?
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay healthy, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
It is my pleasure to share with you a story brought to my attention by our friend and member, Al Budde. Though originally a news story from three years ago, I promise that it will lift our spirits, renew our confidence in the inherent goodness of humankind, and inspire us to see where we might meet the needs of others, even as we are still primarily tethered to home.
How? For starters- how about, donating to Sidewalk Samaritan or food pantries, sending cards, making phone calls, giving to your church or reputable charities, speaking less and listening more, saying the magic words- thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, and fervently praying, praying, praying!
From Al: I don’t know if folks outside of Texas know the story of Jim MacIngvale, or “Mattress Mack”. He started selling furniture and yes, mattresses, decades ago in TV ads around Houston that could only be described as cheap and loud. He was a nice man though, and a pious one, and so just became a part of the local landscape. Until one day… Hurricane Harvey hit - twice. August 25, 2017 in Corpus Christi and again four days later in Beaumont, leaving over 4,000 Texas homes and facilities without power for weeks from all of the flooding – especially in Houston, the state’s largest city – becoming one of the most costly and devastating storms ever to hit Texas.
Thousands escaped the high water but found nowhere to go. Even the mega-churches’ doors were closed. But not Mattress Mack. He left his own flooding home and opened two of his Gallery Furniture Stores – not for business, but for the hundreds of people looking for refuge. He also sent out trucks into the flood looking for those in need of a ride. People - drenched and exhausted - were welcomed in and fell gratefully onto a mattress and fell asleep. “I’m worried about these people.” He said. He also provided breakfast, lunch and dinner to the evacuees. "We thank Mr. Mack for opening up his doors to us, because we didn't know where our next meal was going to come from, or our clothes on our back," said a grateful evacuee. "We're going to keep these folks here for as long as they need to be here. They may be here three days, they may be here seven, who knows. We're here to help and that's what we do, that's who we are," Mack said. "For him to open his door and say, if you're affected by the flood, come in. And I mean you had people wet, you had people dirty, who does that?" said another. "You have to see it to believe it, it's real. I mean he has a heart of gold. Just look around. The man is an angel."
He also famously gives housefuls of furniture to deserving families each Christmas. When at last the water receded, people saw Mattress Mack in an entirely new light. Now there is a seven-part documentary series on his life, he was tapped by the governor to chair the state’s COVID task force, and there is even a petition going around to create an official Mattress Mack Day. He said it never occurred to him not to open his doors...but it must have cost him dearly in lost inventory! And to think that before all of this all most people saw was a loud, clamoring furniture salesman on TV…
****************************************
Thank you, Al!
Last Sunday I asked us, “Beloved, one day we will be looking back upon these months and Sundays apart. They will become a memory. How will we commemorate these times? What will our memorial stones look like… of our time when our homes became Bethel (house of God)? Will the history we write for future generations be one of misery and strife… or of hope, dreams, and miraculous change for good? Extravagant generosity, kindness, and love is Mack’s memorial stone from the midst of disaster during Hurricane Harvey!
Yes, what will our memorial stones to the loving,
faithful presence of God in these days look like?
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay healthy, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
Dear friends in faith, July 15, 2020
Early this morning I took a drive up Saw Hill in Salem, to have my coffee, spend some time in prayer, and enjoy the view. Though surrounded by beauty, I found it hard to avoid thinking about how the corona virus and subsequent pandemic has affected every single aspect of all of our lives. It has shaken the poor and those in minority groups disproportionately. Please keep them in your prayers, as well as those who are working to development concrete solutions to worn-out, destructive, pervasive issues.
Though we seem safe in our beautiful Washington County bubble, I know that several of you live in the daily reality of discrimination now compounded with the suffering all are experiencing under the growing stress and frustration of our time away. As well, most of us know of someone who has died from Covid-19 or who has become permanently disabled. Others have family members living in hotspot states or working in vulnerable jobs. Schools are struggling to come up with a plan for the fall that will please and work well for all. Kids, parents, seniors, the working, and unemployed, all of us are struggling and have stories to tell.
We lament, “Everything has changed!” Well, maybe not everything… As I sat up on Saw Hill looking at the spectacular panorama before me, I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized that some good and beautiful things have not changed! The view before me, with its robin’s egg blue sky, puffy white clouds, summer green trees, church steeples, mountains, and waterways, looks exactly as it did pre-Covid! Seems such a simple thing, yet I was almost giddy with joy, for in that moment God was reassuring me of his faithful presence, “The virus has not altered the view before you, it is the same, dear one, and so is my love for you!”
Friends, there is no doubt we have work to do in our communities and in the world. At the same time, we acknowledge there is much over which we have little or no control. We find ourselves frightened, frustrated, stressed, and too often angry. Yet, choices exist; I can either hold tight to my frustration and angst, or I can take a breath and look around me:
Right now: I want you to breathe…
Please breathe deeply and slowly, in and out, for at least three cycles, and then ponder these two questions-
“What goodness and beauty around me has not changed?”
“What has changed and for the good?”
I propose that, with the Spirit’s help, this simple practice has the power to bring us to places of peace in uncertain times, as well as renewed vigor and commitment to share the mercy, light, and love of Jesus! Here is our assignment: practice the above exercise at least once each day, ending with a prayer of gratitude. Even better, let’s journal our answers! And if you really want to make the pastor smile, send me your insights. We are not helpless and this time away is not without hope and goodness. I can’t wait to hear from you!
"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Call me: 518-854-3729
Email me: laura.mitchell@alum.ptsem.edu
Facebook message me!
Early this morning I took a drive up Saw Hill in Salem, to have my coffee, spend some time in prayer, and enjoy the view. Though surrounded by beauty, I found it hard to avoid thinking about how the corona virus and subsequent pandemic has affected every single aspect of all of our lives. It has shaken the poor and those in minority groups disproportionately. Please keep them in your prayers, as well as those who are working to development concrete solutions to worn-out, destructive, pervasive issues.
Though we seem safe in our beautiful Washington County bubble, I know that several of you live in the daily reality of discrimination now compounded with the suffering all are experiencing under the growing stress and frustration of our time away. As well, most of us know of someone who has died from Covid-19 or who has become permanently disabled. Others have family members living in hotspot states or working in vulnerable jobs. Schools are struggling to come up with a plan for the fall that will please and work well for all. Kids, parents, seniors, the working, and unemployed, all of us are struggling and have stories to tell.
We lament, “Everything has changed!” Well, maybe not everything… As I sat up on Saw Hill looking at the spectacular panorama before me, I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized that some good and beautiful things have not changed! The view before me, with its robin’s egg blue sky, puffy white clouds, summer green trees, church steeples, mountains, and waterways, looks exactly as it did pre-Covid! Seems such a simple thing, yet I was almost giddy with joy, for in that moment God was reassuring me of his faithful presence, “The virus has not altered the view before you, it is the same, dear one, and so is my love for you!”
Friends, there is no doubt we have work to do in our communities and in the world. At the same time, we acknowledge there is much over which we have little or no control. We find ourselves frightened, frustrated, stressed, and too often angry. Yet, choices exist; I can either hold tight to my frustration and angst, or I can take a breath and look around me:
Right now: I want you to breathe…
Please breathe deeply and slowly, in and out, for at least three cycles, and then ponder these two questions-
“What goodness and beauty around me has not changed?”
“What has changed and for the good?”
I propose that, with the Spirit’s help, this simple practice has the power to bring us to places of peace in uncertain times, as well as renewed vigor and commitment to share the mercy, light, and love of Jesus! Here is our assignment: practice the above exercise at least once each day, ending with a prayer of gratitude. Even better, let’s journal our answers! And if you really want to make the pastor smile, send me your insights. We are not helpless and this time away is not without hope and goodness. I can’t wait to hear from you!
"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Call me: 518-854-3729
Email me: laura.mitchell@alum.ptsem.edu
Facebook message me!
Dear friends in faith, July 8, 2020
Where can we find some good news for a change? As Christians, citizens of our communities, state, nation, and world, we need to stay tuned in to the latest news. We need to be informed in order that we may make wise decisions and pray and care for our neighbors near and far. We also need to stretch ourselves by stepping outside our news source comfort zones. Ouch, I hear your collective groan.
That said, I also encourage you to take a news vacation for a few hours or even days. Your friends and family will not let you miss news of alien spaceship landings, an incoming comet, or the discovery of an ancient civilization in the Hebron hills! All kidding aside, a continual stream of listening, watching, or reading the news is not good for the soul, especially when reports are stress provoking. So please stay informed, but also set aside those news headlines! Search for good news stories, read the funny pages, do the puzzles, watch endless puppy videos on YouTube, or better yet get outside and see the Good News in God’s gorgeous creation in your own backyard! Check out these good news headlines:
“The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the arrival of several baby animals over the past month, including a Masai giraffe calf, two red panda cubs, a sea lion pup and a siamang, a type of small ape.” https://www.today.com/news/giraffe-sea-lion-pup-other-animals-born-columbus-zoo-t185780
Or this beautiful 9 year-old figure skater who just honored the Black Lives Matter movement in a beautiful way. Kaitlyn Saunders, 9, known as "The Skate Kid" on Instagram, performed a graceful routine on rollerblades at the Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVxdg5nNvN/
As well, there are websites dedicated solely to good news!
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
https://www.dailygood.org/
Jesus’ call to love our neighbor asks for our awareness of, and response as we are able, to the needs and suffering surrounding us. Jesus has chosen us for this calling no matter our age or ability and he will give us the strength to walk with others on the journey. Jesus also gave us gifts of humor, art, music, nature, and the inspirational stories of others to sustain us as we give of ourselves.
INVITATION: Please send or call me with your good news stories, photos, favorite song, poem written by you or another, anything you think will bring a smile to our faces, a sentimental tear, a chuckle, motivation for these hard days.
Love and miss you all!
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful,
Pastor Laura
westhebronunitedpres@gmail.com
518-854-3729
“You shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills before you shall burst into song, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” — Isaiah 55:12
Where can we find some good news for a change? As Christians, citizens of our communities, state, nation, and world, we need to stay tuned in to the latest news. We need to be informed in order that we may make wise decisions and pray and care for our neighbors near and far. We also need to stretch ourselves by stepping outside our news source comfort zones. Ouch, I hear your collective groan.
That said, I also encourage you to take a news vacation for a few hours or even days. Your friends and family will not let you miss news of alien spaceship landings, an incoming comet, or the discovery of an ancient civilization in the Hebron hills! All kidding aside, a continual stream of listening, watching, or reading the news is not good for the soul, especially when reports are stress provoking. So please stay informed, but also set aside those news headlines! Search for good news stories, read the funny pages, do the puzzles, watch endless puppy videos on YouTube, or better yet get outside and see the Good News in God’s gorgeous creation in your own backyard! Check out these good news headlines:
“The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the arrival of several baby animals over the past month, including a Masai giraffe calf, two red panda cubs, a sea lion pup and a siamang, a type of small ape.” https://www.today.com/news/giraffe-sea-lion-pup-other-animals-born-columbus-zoo-t185780
Or this beautiful 9 year-old figure skater who just honored the Black Lives Matter movement in a beautiful way. Kaitlyn Saunders, 9, known as "The Skate Kid" on Instagram, performed a graceful routine on rollerblades at the Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVxdg5nNvN/
As well, there are websites dedicated solely to good news!
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
https://www.dailygood.org/
Jesus’ call to love our neighbor asks for our awareness of, and response as we are able, to the needs and suffering surrounding us. Jesus has chosen us for this calling no matter our age or ability and he will give us the strength to walk with others on the journey. Jesus also gave us gifts of humor, art, music, nature, and the inspirational stories of others to sustain us as we give of ourselves.
INVITATION: Please send or call me with your good news stories, photos, favorite song, poem written by you or another, anything you think will bring a smile to our faces, a sentimental tear, a chuckle, motivation for these hard days.
Love and miss you all!
Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful,
Pastor Laura
westhebronunitedpres@gmail.com
518-854-3729
“You shall go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills before you shall burst into song, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” — Isaiah 55:12
Dear friends in faith, June 24, 2020
My daughter and her partner were scheduled to arrive for a wonderful Lake George vacation this Friday evening. We sadly agreed they had best put off their vacation until mid-July. Then last night they made the very difficult decision to cancel their trip entirely- without, of course, knowledge of today’s announcement, by Governors from NY, CT, and NJ.
“Under the advisory, individuals coming from states that have high infection rates must spend two weeks under self-quarantine to help prevent the spread of the virus.” The list includes their home state.
Are my husband and I disappointed, heartbroken? Absolutely! Now we wonder if summer travel to see our grandsons in the midwest will be a wise thing to do, or even possible. We have not seen the girls since early last fall. We have not held our grandsons since January 7th when we kissed them good-bye to fly home to NY.
I have not seen you face-to-face since Sunday March 15th and I miss you dearly. Never have I, nor most of you had to make such difficult decisions.
Conflicting voices, often entirely too loudly, speak to our hearts and minds. Voices of reason and fact… voices of emotion and need… voices of sorrow and impatience. Right now, in this moment, neither I, nor you, nor anyone else will be able to change these recent decisions and disappointing news, and so we go to God in prayer. As I have mentioned several times over the last few weeks, it is in the beautiful, God given, words of J. Philip Newell (Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer) that I have heard another voice. From Saturday morning’s closing prayer, I read these words,
“In the conflicting voices of my heart grant me a calmness of hearing.”
Grant us all, O God, a calmness of hearing. Conflicting voices cannot destroy our calm when we listen and lean in close to the heart of God!
Beloved, all our lives have been turned upside down. I pray a calmness of heart for you and yours. I pray an opening of your eyes and heart to the beauty that is, and will always be, within and all around you. I pray you know how precious you are. I pray you know that your life has meaning and purpose even in, and maybe especially because of, these days apart!
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Challenge yourself with boldness and kindness.
Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
My daughter and her partner were scheduled to arrive for a wonderful Lake George vacation this Friday evening. We sadly agreed they had best put off their vacation until mid-July. Then last night they made the very difficult decision to cancel their trip entirely- without, of course, knowledge of today’s announcement, by Governors from NY, CT, and NJ.
“Under the advisory, individuals coming from states that have high infection rates must spend two weeks under self-quarantine to help prevent the spread of the virus.” The list includes their home state.
Are my husband and I disappointed, heartbroken? Absolutely! Now we wonder if summer travel to see our grandsons in the midwest will be a wise thing to do, or even possible. We have not seen the girls since early last fall. We have not held our grandsons since January 7th when we kissed them good-bye to fly home to NY.
I have not seen you face-to-face since Sunday March 15th and I miss you dearly. Never have I, nor most of you had to make such difficult decisions.
Conflicting voices, often entirely too loudly, speak to our hearts and minds. Voices of reason and fact… voices of emotion and need… voices of sorrow and impatience. Right now, in this moment, neither I, nor you, nor anyone else will be able to change these recent decisions and disappointing news, and so we go to God in prayer. As I have mentioned several times over the last few weeks, it is in the beautiful, God given, words of J. Philip Newell (Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer) that I have heard another voice. From Saturday morning’s closing prayer, I read these words,
“In the conflicting voices of my heart grant me a calmness of hearing.”
Grant us all, O God, a calmness of hearing. Conflicting voices cannot destroy our calm when we listen and lean in close to the heart of God!
Beloved, all our lives have been turned upside down. I pray a calmness of heart for you and yours. I pray an opening of your eyes and heart to the beauty that is, and will always be, within and all around you. I pray you know how precious you are. I pray you know that your life has meaning and purpose even in, and maybe especially because of, these days apart!
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Challenge yourself with boldness and kindness.
Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends in faith, Tuesday June 16, 2020 On this morning’s weekly Presbytery Zoom, someone mentioned feeling “unraveled”, and the image resonated with me. So much of what we have taken for granted has unraveled. We miss church in the sanctuary. Kids and teachers want to go back to school. We long for face to face contact, hugs, time spent lingering over a dinner out. Folks who have had the luxury of working from home, may not want to go back, but those who have lost their jobs desperately long to, and may well be finding themselves in dire straits.
Yet some things should have unraveled long ago.
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:1-2
That is the cry of black and brown lives. That is the cry of the poor and the neglected. That is the cry of all on the margins, the LGBTQ community, the abused, the mentally ill, and the addicted. And now, dear disciples of Christ, may it be our cry too, spoken in solidarity with those who have been crying too long!
“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” Prov. 31:8-9
My friends who knit have told me of nearly finishing beautiful sweaters only to totally unravel them when a mistake is discovered. Just one wrong stitch and the entire project is unraveled. Then, with the same yarn, they begin again, hopeful this time, that there will be no hole or other blemish to mar their work.
Hebron United, (or folks in whatever community in which you find yourselves) let us be God’s partners in re-knitting our society into the original beauty designed by our Loving Creator! So much of the suffering we see around us is crying out for our help. Let us not think we need wait until we resume worship and mission in person. We are the Body of Christ right now!
How can you help in this beautiful re-knitting project?
• First by joining me in honest, humble examination of our own hearts.
• Speak up when you witness discrimination.
• Call someone you know who is from a minority group and listen to their experiences.
• Give to our food pantries, peacemaking missions, Sidewalk Samaritan, this fall’s Peace and Global Witness special offering.
• Join an advocacy group.
• And of critical importance- listen deeply to the Spirit’s guidance… listen deeply and openly to others, while holding on to hope, and spending time in prayer.
We are Hebron United, not divided! We are a family whose heart welcomes all. Even as a rural northeast church, we are surprisingly diverse in many ways. While we still have much to learn from present circumstances, we are, dear ones, a community of love. I am so grateful for you. I am incredibly hopeful, anticipating what we will do in and for our community as we go forward in faith, being thankful for what needed to unravel and for our roles in knitting, together again, God’s miraculous masterpiece!
“For you, O God, created our inmost being; you knit all of us together in our mother’s wombs! We praise you because everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, may our hearts know that, and may our lives display your goodness in all we think, say, and do!” Psalm 139:13-14 (paraphrased ~ Pastor Laura)
Challenge yourself with boldness and kindness.
Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
Yet some things should have unraveled long ago.
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:1-2
That is the cry of black and brown lives. That is the cry of the poor and the neglected. That is the cry of all on the margins, the LGBTQ community, the abused, the mentally ill, and the addicted. And now, dear disciples of Christ, may it be our cry too, spoken in solidarity with those who have been crying too long!
“Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!” Prov. 31:8-9
My friends who knit have told me of nearly finishing beautiful sweaters only to totally unravel them when a mistake is discovered. Just one wrong stitch and the entire project is unraveled. Then, with the same yarn, they begin again, hopeful this time, that there will be no hole or other blemish to mar their work.
Hebron United, (or folks in whatever community in which you find yourselves) let us be God’s partners in re-knitting our society into the original beauty designed by our Loving Creator! So much of the suffering we see around us is crying out for our help. Let us not think we need wait until we resume worship and mission in person. We are the Body of Christ right now!
How can you help in this beautiful re-knitting project?
• First by joining me in honest, humble examination of our own hearts.
• Speak up when you witness discrimination.
• Call someone you know who is from a minority group and listen to their experiences.
• Give to our food pantries, peacemaking missions, Sidewalk Samaritan, this fall’s Peace and Global Witness special offering.
• Join an advocacy group.
• And of critical importance- listen deeply to the Spirit’s guidance… listen deeply and openly to others, while holding on to hope, and spending time in prayer.
We are Hebron United, not divided! We are a family whose heart welcomes all. Even as a rural northeast church, we are surprisingly diverse in many ways. While we still have much to learn from present circumstances, we are, dear ones, a community of love. I am so grateful for you. I am incredibly hopeful, anticipating what we will do in and for our community as we go forward in faith, being thankful for what needed to unravel and for our roles in knitting, together again, God’s miraculous masterpiece!
“For you, O God, created our inmost being; you knit all of us together in our mother’s wombs! We praise you because everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, may our hearts know that, and may our lives display your goodness in all we think, say, and do!” Psalm 139:13-14 (paraphrased ~ Pastor Laura)
Challenge yourself with boldness and kindness.
Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
June 9, 2020
Dear friends in faith,
I came across this beautiful photo of our grandson and was struck by several things. Here we are, being slowly released from our stay at home and cautiously stepping back into something called normal life. I’m excited, hesitant, confused, and hopeful all at once, for as soon as we feel confident in news and health reports, another opinion surfaces, suggesting something contrary to what we thought! I want concrete, sure, tangible, dependable, proven… but with this new virus, those demands are just not possible, no matter the brilliant minds working on treatments, vaccine, and re-entrance strategies.
I want, like our little darling, to be zipped into my sleep sack, secure, cozy, fully confident that mommy, daddy, and big brother love me and are right outside the door. His confidence in his parents’ loving care is strong and secure. He trusts, as best he can, that he will be fed, clothed, protected, and loved. Oh, that our trust could be the same in Jesus, who promised his disciples that he would never leave or forsake them. We do have a sleep sack, of sorts, to wrap ourselves in when we are feeling insecure… we are always, always enveloped in God’s loving presence found in Holy Word, Holy Spirit, and the Book of Nature outside our doors.
We’ve had several reminders over the weeks to breathe. Let’s do so again and while we breathe, imagine being cocooned in the peace of Christ, confident in his care.
Placing your hands on your heart, breathe in peace and breathe out any anxious feelings. Breathe in hope and breathe out any despair.
Breathe in confidence and breathe out fear.
Breathe in surrender to God’s love and breathe out the need for control.
Breathe in God’s love for you and breathe out any self-condemnation.
And may you find continued peace, hope, and security in the following Gaelic blessing.
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, venture out safely, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
June 4, 2020
Dear friends,
The link below, from the journal, "The Christian Century", interviews my daughter's pastors, from "Holy Trinity Lutheran Church" in the south Minneapolis neighborhood where George Floyd was killed on Monday May 25, 2020. You may find it hard to read, but please persevere. These months of Covid-19 stay at home have now been overshadowed by the "in our face" reality that racism continues to be deeply embedded in our country.
Our hearts are broken. May that brokenness plant new seeds of action in our hearts, giving us courage to face our own racism and strength to lift our voices in protest, "No more!"
"And what does the Lord require of us?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with our God." --Micah 6:8
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”
- Nelson Mandela
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
--John 13:34-35
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Link to article:
https://www.christiancentury.org/…/being-church-while-neigh…
May 28, 2020
Dear friends,
(The following was written by HUPC member, writer, and playwrite, Al Budde, based upon, 'The Healing Power of Proper Breathing' in the Sat/Sun edition of the Wall Street Journal. Thank you, Al!)
BREATHING - IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK!
Most people don't really think about breathing. You just do it and if you stop doing it you die. Pretty simple, right?But recently Pastor Laura has integrated a "breathe in...and breathe out..." element to our corporate prayer that you may have found calming, but is actually way more beneficial than that. In fact, the importance of breathing - properly and mindfully - is and has been stressed by almost every major religion and in many ancient cultures. (Breathe On Me Breath Of God...?)
And now we know why. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that "breathing the right way is as important to our health as what we eat, how much we exercise and even the genes we've inherited." That is quite a statement, but before you dismiss it as 'hot air' know that there are a number of important studies that support it. In 'The Framingham Study', for instance, researchers gathered two decades of data from 5,200
subjects and discovered that the greatest indicator of life span wasn't genetics, diet or the amount of daily exercise, as you'd expect. It was lung capacity. That's right! The greater your lung capacity the less hard your body has to work to manage all of its other functions and so the longer you live. Other extensive Studies have found that this kind of breathing is good therapy, too, reducing blood pressure, sleep apnea, circulation, heart function and even
proved effective in post 9/11 PTSD cases.
And it's simple: there is no equipment to buy, no gyms to join, no pills to take. To begin increasing your lung capacity, try this: For the next several minutes inhale gently through your nose for a count of five. Really fill up your lungs. Then exhale as slowly as you can. And don't mouth breathe! Nasal breathing has been shown to absorb 18% more oxygen and doesn't dry us out plus it provides filters the mouth does not.
Then see how this practice makes you feel. Calmer? More at peace? Generally healthier and happier? Seems like our Pastor knew this all along...
--Al Budde
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home (and outside),
stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Enjoy this version of, "Breathe On Me Breath of God" Author: Edwin Hatch (1878)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5keJHZdWYM
Dear friends,
(The following was written by HUPC member, writer, and playwrite, Al Budde, based upon, 'The Healing Power of Proper Breathing' in the Sat/Sun edition of the Wall Street Journal. Thank you, Al!)
BREATHING - IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK!
Most people don't really think about breathing. You just do it and if you stop doing it you die. Pretty simple, right?But recently Pastor Laura has integrated a "breathe in...and breathe out..." element to our corporate prayer that you may have found calming, but is actually way more beneficial than that. In fact, the importance of breathing - properly and mindfully - is and has been stressed by almost every major religion and in many ancient cultures. (Breathe On Me Breath Of God...?)
And now we know why. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that "breathing the right way is as important to our health as what we eat, how much we exercise and even the genes we've inherited." That is quite a statement, but before you dismiss it as 'hot air' know that there are a number of important studies that support it. In 'The Framingham Study', for instance, researchers gathered two decades of data from 5,200
subjects and discovered that the greatest indicator of life span wasn't genetics, diet or the amount of daily exercise, as you'd expect. It was lung capacity. That's right! The greater your lung capacity the less hard your body has to work to manage all of its other functions and so the longer you live. Other extensive Studies have found that this kind of breathing is good therapy, too, reducing blood pressure, sleep apnea, circulation, heart function and even
proved effective in post 9/11 PTSD cases.
And it's simple: there is no equipment to buy, no gyms to join, no pills to take. To begin increasing your lung capacity, try this: For the next several minutes inhale gently through your nose for a count of five. Really fill up your lungs. Then exhale as slowly as you can. And don't mouth breathe! Nasal breathing has been shown to absorb 18% more oxygen and doesn't dry us out plus it provides filters the mouth does not.
Then see how this practice makes you feel. Calmer? More at peace? Generally healthier and happier? Seems like our Pastor knew this all along...
--Al Budde
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home (and outside),
stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Enjoy this version of, "Breathe On Me Breath of God" Author: Edwin Hatch (1878)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5keJHZdWYM
May 27, 2020
Dear friends in faith,
Today’s daily lectionary morning Psalm begins, “The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” (Psalm 99:1) This morning my mind raced, pondering so many things over which we may find ourselves trembling; fear Covid-19, death, financial struggles, safety of opening back up too soon or the devastating effects of remaining closed too long. New graduates tremble wondering if they’ll be able to begin college on campus or find a job. Parents tremble wondering what school will look like for their kids in the fall. We tremble as we observe increasing food scarcity and unemployment. We tremble when we read of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. We tremble in worry over our health and that of our loved ones. We tremble as we grieve the differences that threaten to divide. We tremble and cry out with the Psalmist, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget us forever?” (Psalm 13:a) But wait… listen… for as we tremble, our Psalmist once again speaks, “Praise the Lord! God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds!” (Ps 147:3) Friends, there is much to mourn, but remember, that while we may well be trembling, Jesus has not left us orphans and we are not powerless! We began this time away with these words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Some trembling is good beloved, for it awakens our desire to act in the name and way of Jesus! We are still the church of Jesus Christ, Hebron United! My daughter Heather sent me the encouraging meme above and I found it a powerful reminder that while there is trouble in and around us, we are able to respond as the body of Christ! We are NOT canceled! We are not immobilized! We are meeting to worship over Zoom, we are listening to God, we are praying, we are giving, we are saying no to injustice and yes to love, we are helping others- making calls to family, friend and neighbor, giving to the food pantry, supporting Sidewalk Samaritan!
We are, in many ways, being the church, now more than ever and “I thank my God every time I remember you!” (Philippians 1:3)
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home (and outside),
stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Dear friends in faith,
Today’s daily lectionary morning Psalm begins, “The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” (Psalm 99:1) This morning my mind raced, pondering so many things over which we may find ourselves trembling; fear Covid-19, death, financial struggles, safety of opening back up too soon or the devastating effects of remaining closed too long. New graduates tremble wondering if they’ll be able to begin college on campus or find a job. Parents tremble wondering what school will look like for their kids in the fall. We tremble as we observe increasing food scarcity and unemployment. We tremble when we read of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN. We tremble in worry over our health and that of our loved ones. We tremble as we grieve the differences that threaten to divide. We tremble and cry out with the Psalmist, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget us forever?” (Psalm 13:a) But wait… listen… for as we tremble, our Psalmist once again speaks, “Praise the Lord! God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds!” (Ps 147:3) Friends, there is much to mourn, but remember, that while we may well be trembling, Jesus has not left us orphans and we are not powerless! We began this time away with these words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Some trembling is good beloved, for it awakens our desire to act in the name and way of Jesus! We are still the church of Jesus Christ, Hebron United! My daughter Heather sent me the encouraging meme above and I found it a powerful reminder that while there is trouble in and around us, we are able to respond as the body of Christ! We are NOT canceled! We are not immobilized! We are meeting to worship over Zoom, we are listening to God, we are praying, we are giving, we are saying no to injustice and yes to love, we are helping others- making calls to family, friend and neighbor, giving to the food pantry, supporting Sidewalk Samaritan!
We are, in many ways, being the church, now more than ever and “I thank my God every time I remember you!” (Philippians 1:3)
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home (and outside),
stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
May 15, 2020
Again, today we are reminded, through the Celtic tradition, of the deep, eternal connection between the Divine and human heart and the 'book of Creation' through this beautiful hymn (see link below). I pray it brings you to a place of peace, strength, and hope for the world today, for even from our isolated states we can be Christ for each other.
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you
"Deep peace of all that is of Christ to you",
Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eve2y-P-Zjk
Again, today we are reminded, through the Celtic tradition, of the deep, eternal connection between the Divine and human heart and the 'book of Creation' through this beautiful hymn (see link below). I pray it brings you to a place of peace, strength, and hope for the world today, for even from our isolated states we can be Christ for each other.
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you
"Deep peace of all that is of Christ to you",
Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eve2y-P-Zjk
|
May 14, 2020 In February 2009, when I was a “middler” (2nd year) student, at Princeton Seminary, I had the privilege of meeting, and learning from John Philip Newell , minister (Church of Scotland), poet, author, peacemaker, and scholar. Newell, who lives in Scotland with his wife and children, is a leading scholar in Celtic Christian Spirituality. What in the world is Celtic Spirituality and what difference does it make for me? Many folks, in this time away and isolation from what is familiar and comforting, have found themselves searching for meaning, and for God’s presence. It is one of my great hopes that our Sunday morning Zoom worship meetings are satisfying some of our hunger for solace from God and one another. That said, I believe that what some call, the Celtic tradition, may be particularly apt in these trying times. There are two predominant marks of this tradition, first; “Celtic spirituality is marked by the belief that what is deepest in us is the image of God.” Most of us, on the other hand, have been taught to “define ourselves in terms of ugliness” instead of our goodness.* Secondly, the Celtic tradition teaches a belief in the essential goodness of creation. Not only is creation a blessing, “it is regarded in essence as an expression of God” therefore God’s creation of nature, all around us is referred to ‘the book of creation’ in which we may read the mystery of God”.* I have, for years, felt particularly drawn to this Celtic understanding of God, humanity, and nature. The God I know in Jesus Christ is one who looks at me, seeing first my goodness, before my failings. “…do you not realize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2Corinthians 13:5) Oh, what good news and inspiration that is on days when my patience wears thin and what I see in me is not so pretty. Thank God that what is deepest in me is goodness… and Jesus! While we most often turn to the Bible as God’s word, more folks are getting outside these days because the weather is warming and also because we are craving something more than our four walls! The Celts suggest there is another book from God, that in creation all around us. As we are outside, I encourage us to see more clearly the love of God displayed for us in this ‘book of Creation’! Above are two beautiful examples of the mystery, wonder, and closeness of God- an Oriole from Sharon Pugh’s garden and a Red Breasted Grosbeak from the lilac bush outside my window at the manse. Wow, what incredible creatures! They take our breath away. Another mark of the Celtic tradition is silence, being still and aware of God’s presence, within us and all around. As we go about these days away, taking quiet walks outside, sitting by the open window listening to the birds, or rocking on the porch surveying the hills and meadows, may we take a lesson from the ancient Celts and ponder the goodness both within ourselves and in the exquisiteness of Creation. In those moments, let us soak in God’s presence and place the troubles of the world into God’s hands, knowing that, as disciples of Christ, we will continue to have hard work to do partnering with one another and Jesus, to being healing and hope as we go forward in his way. “You show me the path of life, O God. In your presence there is fullness of joy!” (Psalm 16:11) Be kind to yourself. Stay strong, stay safe, stay home (and outside), stay hopeful. With love in Christ, Pastor Laura *J. Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer, (published by Eerdmans , 2000) Preface. |
May 9, 2020
Along with God's word from Ephesians, I am praying the following song, from The Beatles, will bring hope and peace into wherever you are and however you are experiencing this time away from loved ones and life as we knew it!
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
"Let It Be"
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be,
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be….
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. [Lennon/McCartney]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7wErmth4k4
Along with God's word from Ephesians, I am praying the following song, from The Beatles, will bring hope and peace into wherever you are and however you are experiencing this time away from loved ones and life as we knew it!
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
"Let It Be"
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be,
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be….
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. [Lennon/McCartney]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7wErmth4k4
Thursday May 7, 2020
How will the Covid-19 pandemic change the world, each nation, the USA, our state, local community, individual household, and... how will it change me? I ask that today, as I sit in my office with beautiful sunshine is pouring in the window and a lone basketball player dribbling on the church's court. For a moment everything seems normal and I wish I could pretend nothing is wrong. I wish I could go back to normal. Maybe if I blink my eyes, click my Dorothy shoes, or wave a magic wand, we'd be transported back to "the way things were". I had plans to go see our grandchildren and summer plans with family and friends. I was going to be attending my 40th college reunion and 10th seminary reunion. All of those events are crossed off my calendar. Lots of things have changed, that's no news flash. And that news? It's full of facts and fiction, hope and false hope. We lament the tragedies of death, unemployment, surges in abuse, addiction, mental health crises, and the inequity of healthcare. My heart aches and some days even the sunshine seems saddened by the world. For many of us, this pandemic has cleared the haze from our vision, "suddenly" opening our eyes and heart to the wrongs of the world that have been there all along, but which are now more brutally revealed by this pandemic. What if we had real, effective programs in place for the needy, victims of domestic violence, those with addiction and mental illness? What if we followed Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us? Maybe it is time to listen to God's word, and follow the Spirit who leads us in Jesus' way.
"He has told you, O humankind, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
Friends, my great hope is that I will find myself forever changed when we do come to the other side of the pandemic. And so, with hope and a lighter spirit, I refuse to give up the dream that we will become a people who do good, who seek justice for every fellow human being, and who do all things with great kindness and humility. I hope that I will give more and consume less. Listen more and speak less. Forgive and ask to be forgiven more. Heal more and hurt less. Though we hear predictions of how the world around us might change... we can do more than merely predict and surmise about ourselves, we can make real changes that can make real differences for those around us!
Now that's good news!
Praying words attributed to Saint Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Please enjoy this beautiful hymn, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI1Gst7pEqc
How will the Covid-19 pandemic change the world, each nation, the USA, our state, local community, individual household, and... how will it change me? I ask that today, as I sit in my office with beautiful sunshine is pouring in the window and a lone basketball player dribbling on the church's court. For a moment everything seems normal and I wish I could pretend nothing is wrong. I wish I could go back to normal. Maybe if I blink my eyes, click my Dorothy shoes, or wave a magic wand, we'd be transported back to "the way things were". I had plans to go see our grandchildren and summer plans with family and friends. I was going to be attending my 40th college reunion and 10th seminary reunion. All of those events are crossed off my calendar. Lots of things have changed, that's no news flash. And that news? It's full of facts and fiction, hope and false hope. We lament the tragedies of death, unemployment, surges in abuse, addiction, mental health crises, and the inequity of healthcare. My heart aches and some days even the sunshine seems saddened by the world. For many of us, this pandemic has cleared the haze from our vision, "suddenly" opening our eyes and heart to the wrongs of the world that have been there all along, but which are now more brutally revealed by this pandemic. What if we had real, effective programs in place for the needy, victims of domestic violence, those with addiction and mental illness? What if we followed Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us? Maybe it is time to listen to God's word, and follow the Spirit who leads us in Jesus' way.
"He has told you, O humankind, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
Friends, my great hope is that I will find myself forever changed when we do come to the other side of the pandemic. And so, with hope and a lighter spirit, I refuse to give up the dream that we will become a people who do good, who seek justice for every fellow human being, and who do all things with great kindness and humility. I hope that I will give more and consume less. Listen more and speak less. Forgive and ask to be forgiven more. Heal more and hurt less. Though we hear predictions of how the world around us might change... we can do more than merely predict and surmise about ourselves, we can make real changes that can make real differences for those around us!
Now that's good news!
Praying words attributed to Saint Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Please enjoy this beautiful hymn, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI1Gst7pEqc
Monday May 4, 2020
If you are someone you know is suffering in this pandemic more than the inconveniences we all share, please reach out for help!
Call 911
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence 800-799-7233
Substance Abuse/Mental Health Helpline 800-662-4357
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
For you who are weary, worn, lonely, worried, afraid, at your wit's end, I share this beautiful version of the hymn, "Be Not Afraid" by Brother John Michael Talbot (American Roman Catholic musician, author, television presenter and founder of a monastic community known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoBg
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
If you are someone you know is suffering in this pandemic more than the inconveniences we all share, please reach out for help!
Call 911
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence 800-799-7233
Substance Abuse/Mental Health Helpline 800-662-4357
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
For you who are weary, worn, lonely, worried, afraid, at your wit's end, I share this beautiful version of the hymn, "Be Not Afraid" by Brother John Michael Talbot (American Roman Catholic musician, author, television presenter and founder of a monastic community known as the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoBg
You are worthy, you are loved, more than you will ever know, hope for, or imagine!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Wednesday April 29, 2020
There are times in the midst of this darn pandemic, when I find myself feeling... happy! How can I claim, or even admit to, a happy mood when so much of the world is suffering? Won't my happy post on Facebook cause the amplification of another's suffering? Shouldn't I be sharing their load by minimizing any fleeting moments of happiness that I find during my own trials? And how can I endure my own challenges and still be happy? I know, lots of questions. So, I also ask, "Will my choosing unhappiness and resisting joyful feelings help the suffering of the world?" No, in fact the opposite is true. While we appreciate empathy, a collective depression is not, in the end, going to help us endure this virus! By seeking and intentionally acknowledging the people, sights, tastes, sounds, and experiences that bring us to a happy, peaceful place, we'll have strength, love, hope, and comfort to share with others in their suffering. So in my sorrow, I say, "Thank you for caring and for weeping with meI" But I also say, "Thank you for sharing your joy, happiness, and peace, for they bring me hope that brighter days will come!"
"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message
Pictured above is a photo of my husband, ahead of me, kayaking on yesterday's beautiful day!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
There are times in the midst of this darn pandemic, when I find myself feeling... happy! How can I claim, or even admit to, a happy mood when so much of the world is suffering? Won't my happy post on Facebook cause the amplification of another's suffering? Shouldn't I be sharing their load by minimizing any fleeting moments of happiness that I find during my own trials? And how can I endure my own challenges and still be happy? I know, lots of questions. So, I also ask, "Will my choosing unhappiness and resisting joyful feelings help the suffering of the world?" No, in fact the opposite is true. While we appreciate empathy, a collective depression is not, in the end, going to help us endure this virus! By seeking and intentionally acknowledging the people, sights, tastes, sounds, and experiences that bring us to a happy, peaceful place, we'll have strength, love, hope, and comfort to share with others in their suffering. So in my sorrow, I say, "Thank you for caring and for weeping with meI" But I also say, "Thank you for sharing your joy, happiness, and peace, for they bring me hope that brighter days will come!"
"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message
Pictured above is a photo of my husband, ahead of me, kayaking on yesterday's beautiful day!
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Tuesday April 28, 2020
GRATITUDE SCAVENGER HUNT
Something fun you can do in your own home or yard!
Please share your findings with me on Facebook!
Happy hunting!
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1
1. Find something that makes you happy.
2. Something to give someone else to make them smile.
3. Find one thing that you love to smell.
4. Find one thing you enjoy looking at.
5. Find something that’s your favorite color.
6. Find something you are thankful for in nature.
7. Find something that you can use to make a gift for someone.
8. Find something that is useful for you.
--from Contemplative Monk,
on Facebook 9/15/19
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
GRATITUDE SCAVENGER HUNT
Something fun you can do in your own home or yard!
Please share your findings with me on Facebook!
Happy hunting!
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1
1. Find something that makes you happy.
2. Something to give someone else to make them smile.
3. Find one thing that you love to smell.
4. Find one thing you enjoy looking at.
5. Find something that’s your favorite color.
6. Find something you are thankful for in nature.
7. Find something that you can use to make a gift for someone.
8. Find something that is useful for you.
--from Contemplative Monk,
on Facebook 9/15/19
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Friday April 24, 2020
While in seminary and particularly stressed, a dear pastor friend sent the following story to me. It was her hope to lighten my heart, put my problems in perspective, and help me appreciate what was. It may seem a silly, simple story, and it most certainly is not shared to diminish anyone's painful experience of this pandemic. I share it because even those of us, for whom the stay at home is merely an inconvenience, may find ourselves down, discouraged, and heavy hearted. I pray that the story will lighten your heart, and help you to see the goodness around you so that on your happier days, you may be the light and hope of Jesus to others who really need you!
"There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs
on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
“H-M-M, ” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
“Well,” she said, “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and
noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head….
“YEAH!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”
-Author Unknown
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
May your heart be fed by this beautiful hymn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Zl4Zf0Yrk
Saturday April 18, 2020
Many thanks to my daughter Heather for
sharing the following poem.
“Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.“ -Mary Oliver
Friends, a while back I shared about how this pandemic time is like the experience of grief and the above is another example, for as in mourning, we need to share our despair, it's healing. There is no badge to be earned by feigning constant optimism when your heart is broken. And as in the experience of grief, it is sometimes hard to believe that the globe is still turning, the sun rising and setting, rain falling and geese migrating. How can the world look so normal when I feel so badly, when we are in exile, when our future seems so fragile?
Yet because it is so that nature goes on, as Mary Oliver's poignant poem so beautifully tells, the "meanwhiles" give us hope and the courage to believe that we WILL come out of this time. And we will arise from this captivity and sorrow stronger and with greater appreciation for one another, for creation that has not stopped believing, and for God who is our constant companion on the journey.
So go ahead, please tell someone your despair... and trust that God's heart is listening too.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqKVFYD8Obc
Many thanks to my daughter Heather for
sharing the following poem.
“Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.“ -Mary Oliver
Friends, a while back I shared about how this pandemic time is like the experience of grief and the above is another example, for as in mourning, we need to share our despair, it's healing. There is no badge to be earned by feigning constant optimism when your heart is broken. And as in the experience of grief, it is sometimes hard to believe that the globe is still turning, the sun rising and setting, rain falling and geese migrating. How can the world look so normal when I feel so badly, when we are in exile, when our future seems so fragile?
Yet because it is so that nature goes on, as Mary Oliver's poignant poem so beautifully tells, the "meanwhiles" give us hope and the courage to believe that we WILL come out of this time. And we will arise from this captivity and sorrow stronger and with greater appreciation for one another, for creation that has not stopped believing, and for God who is our constant companion on the journey.
So go ahead, please tell someone your despair... and trust that God's heart is listening too.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqKVFYD8Obc
Wednesday April 15, 2020
NOONTIME PRAYER- Every Wednesday you are invited to join the HUPC community in prayer from your home or work, from 12:00-12:15 ending with the Lord's Prayer. This is not an online event. Let's give our eyes and computers a rest and enter into prayer, trusting the Holy Spirit to unite and lead our hearts. Those who need our prayers are countless, but take heart, for when we cannot find the words, the Spirit prays for us. Know that sitting in pure silence or simply saying, "Thank you, God" is enough.
Each Wednesday I will post a hymn that I pray will speak to and feed your heart and soul. Today may you be blessed by this beautiful hymn, "For the Troubles and the Sufferings". Link below.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkUHHfrheNA
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
518-854-3729
NOONTIME PRAYER- Every Wednesday you are invited to join the HUPC community in prayer from your home or work, from 12:00-12:15 ending with the Lord's Prayer. This is not an online event. Let's give our eyes and computers a rest and enter into prayer, trusting the Holy Spirit to unite and lead our hearts. Those who need our prayers are countless, but take heart, for when we cannot find the words, the Spirit prays for us. Know that sitting in pure silence or simply saying, "Thank you, God" is enough.
Each Wednesday I will post a hymn that I pray will speak to and feed your heart and soul. Today may you be blessed by this beautiful hymn, "For the Troubles and the Sufferings". Link below.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkUHHfrheNA
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
518-854-3729
Tuesday April 14, 2020
On Easter Sunday, I pondered with those gathered together on Zoom at 6:30a.m., what we were we doing up and dressed (maybe), just after dawn, sitting in front of our computers, or maybe listening in on the phone? It was cold outside sitting on the front porch of the church. I could have been home in my robe, sipping coffee. Those who joined in Easter morning could have stayed in bed, warm under the covers, yet there we were. To say the least, it was a strange Lent and Holy Week; one that will be recalled years from now. This story will be shared with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors, generation after generation, written in history books. We’ll say, “Remember the year of the virus, when we couldn’t go to church for weeks and weeks? Remember how we couldn’t imagine not being in church on Palm Sunday- yet we worshipped, Maundy Thursday- yet we worshipped, but most especially Easter Sunday? How could we not gather together on the most holy day of the Christian year? But beloved, we did gather together, though not in the way we’d hoped, not in our traditional way… yet, our gatherings on this blessed 2020 Easter resembled closely those on that first resurrection day! Now don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait until we safely sit shoulder to shoulder in church pews, but I wonder, instead of lamenting, can we embrace this unique Easter, for no matter which gospel reading you choose, the early morning celebration on that very first Easter morning, looked a lot like ours… small groups- in Matthew just a few women, in John at first just one woman, alone, and then she was joined by two men. I encourage you to read all four accounts… into each tiny congregation… early in the morning or later on in the day on the Emmaus Road or that evening to the frightened disciples… into each tiny congregation came the Risen Lord saying, “Peace be with you.” And they were overjoyed… and so, in your home on Easter morning, Jesus was with you… has always been and ever will be with you… with us, our Risen Christ! We hold fast to hope, and even in our tears, frustrations, and disappointments, may our hearts sing,
“Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the Risen Lord,
Alleluia, Alleluia, give praise to His name.”
Feeling blue or lonely?
In need or know someone who is? Just need to chat?
Want to share a good joke, story, inspiration?
Call me. I would love to talk to you anytime.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
518-854-3729
On Easter Sunday, I pondered with those gathered together on Zoom at 6:30a.m., what we were we doing up and dressed (maybe), just after dawn, sitting in front of our computers, or maybe listening in on the phone? It was cold outside sitting on the front porch of the church. I could have been home in my robe, sipping coffee. Those who joined in Easter morning could have stayed in bed, warm under the covers, yet there we were. To say the least, it was a strange Lent and Holy Week; one that will be recalled years from now. This story will be shared with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors, generation after generation, written in history books. We’ll say, “Remember the year of the virus, when we couldn’t go to church for weeks and weeks? Remember how we couldn’t imagine not being in church on Palm Sunday- yet we worshipped, Maundy Thursday- yet we worshipped, but most especially Easter Sunday? How could we not gather together on the most holy day of the Christian year? But beloved, we did gather together, though not in the way we’d hoped, not in our traditional way… yet, our gatherings on this blessed 2020 Easter resembled closely those on that first resurrection day! Now don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait until we safely sit shoulder to shoulder in church pews, but I wonder, instead of lamenting, can we embrace this unique Easter, for no matter which gospel reading you choose, the early morning celebration on that very first Easter morning, looked a lot like ours… small groups- in Matthew just a few women, in John at first just one woman, alone, and then she was joined by two men. I encourage you to read all four accounts… into each tiny congregation… early in the morning or later on in the day on the Emmaus Road or that evening to the frightened disciples… into each tiny congregation came the Risen Lord saying, “Peace be with you.” And they were overjoyed… and so, in your home on Easter morning, Jesus was with you… has always been and ever will be with you… with us, our Risen Christ! We hold fast to hope, and even in our tears, frustrations, and disappointments, may our hearts sing,
“Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the Risen Lord,
Alleluia, Alleluia, give praise to His name.”
Feeling blue or lonely?
In need or know someone who is? Just need to chat?
Want to share a good joke, story, inspiration?
Call me. I would love to talk to you anytime.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
518-854-3729
Easter Monday April 13, 2020
Many thanks to my dear friend, Barbara Wheeler, for sharing the following link with me! More than ever, we need to remember the wonder, glory, and truth of this hope filled message. We can do this dear friends, because we are together, across the divide. We are together in the embrace of God in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. May this Easter Monday bring that hope and peace to you wherever you are and into whatever circumstances you are facing today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAyi64eagTI&fbclid=IwAR0ZvSkCEWkgnIMHuZKwhpZ0mdCPtqhTejStQyM9PjraPZq322adbHTfyPs
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Many thanks to my dear friend, Barbara Wheeler, for sharing the following link with me! More than ever, we need to remember the wonder, glory, and truth of this hope filled message. We can do this dear friends, because we are together, across the divide. We are together in the embrace of God in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. May this Easter Monday bring that hope and peace to you wherever you are and into whatever circumstances you are facing today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAyi64eagTI&fbclid=IwAR0ZvSkCEWkgnIMHuZKwhpZ0mdCPtqhTejStQyM9PjraPZq322adbHTfyPs
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Holy Saturday April 11, 2020
My heart remembers well the day after Mom died in 1992, and the day after Dad died in 2014... the empty wondering, "Now what?" feeling... the numbness alternating with a sharp stabbing feeling in one's gut, "I'm not going to see her again... him again. I need to hear their voices and feel their embrace." Moderns really don't mourn well, though I am not shy to say, I have missed my dear Mommy like a little child, I wept on Dad's quiet chest, and nearly wailed at his funeral. After Dad died, suddenly my sisters and I had become the old folks and at the same time felt like orphaned children!
It is now just a little over 24 hours after Jesus' death on the cross and his dear children are weeping. Yesterday, Friday night, 2000 years ago, Joseph of Arimethea, took Jesus' body, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat nearby. Jesus' disciples had one by one betrayed, disowned him, and Judas, so distraught, hangs himself. On this silent day, those who loved Jesus were not only afraid, but deeply mourning the death of their beloved Rabbi, the one they'd hoped was the Messiah. You know what it feels like... the sorrow cannot be rushed and is best not ignored. And so they sat that silent Saturday and cried, over their loss, their failure, their complete desolation... Thank God, thank God, there is more to Jesus' story and tomorrow we celebrate that God said, "No!" to humanity's cruelty, but today let us sit and grieve with our ancient brothers and sisters in faith.
Lord in your mercy, hear us, forgive us, heal us.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM
My heart remembers well the day after Mom died in 1992, and the day after Dad died in 2014... the empty wondering, "Now what?" feeling... the numbness alternating with a sharp stabbing feeling in one's gut, "I'm not going to see her again... him again. I need to hear their voices and feel their embrace." Moderns really don't mourn well, though I am not shy to say, I have missed my dear Mommy like a little child, I wept on Dad's quiet chest, and nearly wailed at his funeral. After Dad died, suddenly my sisters and I had become the old folks and at the same time felt like orphaned children!
It is now just a little over 24 hours after Jesus' death on the cross and his dear children are weeping. Yesterday, Friday night, 2000 years ago, Joseph of Arimethea, took Jesus' body, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat nearby. Jesus' disciples had one by one betrayed, disowned him, and Judas, so distraught, hangs himself. On this silent day, those who loved Jesus were not only afraid, but deeply mourning the death of their beloved Rabbi, the one they'd hoped was the Messiah. You know what it feels like... the sorrow cannot be rushed and is best not ignored. And so they sat that silent Saturday and cried, over their loss, their failure, their complete desolation... Thank God, thank God, there is more to Jesus' story and tomorrow we celebrate that God said, "No!" to humanity's cruelty, but today let us sit and grieve with our ancient brothers and sisters in faith.
Lord in your mercy, hear us, forgive us, heal us.
With love in Christ, Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM
Good Friday April 10, 2020
Thank you, Father Henri Nouwen, for these beautiful and timely words on this sorrowful day...
"Good Friday is much more than reliving the passion of Jesus; it is entering into solidarity with the passion of all people of our planet, whether in the past, the present, or the future. In Jesus all human suffering is collected. The broken heart of Jesus is the broken heart of God. The broken heart of God is the broken heart of the world. 'Behold, behold, the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation. Oh, come let us adore.'" - #HenriNouwen
SABBATICAL JOURNEY: The diary of his final year, (Good Friday, April 5, 1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdvReNKKuk
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Thank you, Father Henri Nouwen, for these beautiful and timely words on this sorrowful day...
"Good Friday is much more than reliving the passion of Jesus; it is entering into solidarity with the passion of all people of our planet, whether in the past, the present, or the future. In Jesus all human suffering is collected. The broken heart of Jesus is the broken heart of God. The broken heart of God is the broken heart of the world. 'Behold, behold, the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation. Oh, come let us adore.'" - #HenriNouwen
SABBATICAL JOURNEY: The diary of his final year, (Good Friday, April 5, 1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDdvReNKKuk
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Matthew 26:17-21
Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him, knew that a large crowd would arrive with clubs and swords, to arrest him... in fact every one of his closest disciples would allow fear to lead them to deny the one who would love them to the end. It is a heartbreaking story and it is also ours. It is an appropriately gray, rainy Maundy Thursday where I am, mirroring the emotions of this day, the past weeks and of days to come. These are sorrowful, fearful times and so what will I do? Somedays I want to lay on the coach in denial with a blanket over my head, hoping that a good nap might erase reality. The disciples fell asleep when Jesus had asked them to stay awake, maybe they too could not face Jesus' predictions of his death.
Like the disciples, we don't want to hear about Jesus' death. We don't want to look at the cross. We don't want to hear the hammer or imagine the nails. Incredibly, Jesus voice cries out, "Father forgive them..."(Luke 23:34) Imagine that! From the cross our suffering savior offers forgiveness! We cannot be separated from his love, not by anything we have done or failed to do!
Yes, it is raining and low clouds hang over the Hebron hills outside my window, but the grass is greening, new flowers are poking their heads through the earth, the birds are singing in the rain and we endure, not only because it seems we have no other choice, but because,
"We can put our hope in the Lord.
our help and our shield.
In whom our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in God's holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:20-22
Hold on, dear friends! You are not alone. We are in this together, with one another, with Jesus, whose arms spread wide on the cross embracing all of creation, now and forever.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
The following is a beautiful prayer from St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) in the style of Taize.
"Let nothing disturb you,
nothing frighten you,
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God is enough."
Click on the link below to hear this beautiful hymn sung:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go1-BoDD7CI
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
Matthew 26:17-21
Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him, knew that a large crowd would arrive with clubs and swords, to arrest him... in fact every one of his closest disciples would allow fear to lead them to deny the one who would love them to the end. It is a heartbreaking story and it is also ours. It is an appropriately gray, rainy Maundy Thursday where I am, mirroring the emotions of this day, the past weeks and of days to come. These are sorrowful, fearful times and so what will I do? Somedays I want to lay on the coach in denial with a blanket over my head, hoping that a good nap might erase reality. The disciples fell asleep when Jesus had asked them to stay awake, maybe they too could not face Jesus' predictions of his death.
Like the disciples, we don't want to hear about Jesus' death. We don't want to look at the cross. We don't want to hear the hammer or imagine the nails. Incredibly, Jesus voice cries out, "Father forgive them..."(Luke 23:34) Imagine that! From the cross our suffering savior offers forgiveness! We cannot be separated from his love, not by anything we have done or failed to do!
Yes, it is raining and low clouds hang over the Hebron hills outside my window, but the grass is greening, new flowers are poking their heads through the earth, the birds are singing in the rain and we endure, not only because it seems we have no other choice, but because,
"We can put our hope in the Lord.
our help and our shield.
In whom our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in God's holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:20-22
Hold on, dear friends! You are not alone. We are in this together, with one another, with Jesus, whose arms spread wide on the cross embracing all of creation, now and forever.
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
The following is a beautiful prayer from St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) in the style of Taize.
"Let nothing disturb you,
nothing frighten you,
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God is enough."
Click on the link below to hear this beautiful hymn sung:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go1-BoDD7CI
Food Pantry Donations for Easter
You are a generous and loving
people, dear Salem community!
Please leave your donations for our food pantry in the bins are on the HUPC front porch.This week we are looking especially for foods that will provide Easter dinners for our community folks.
(All non-perishable food items and toiletries are always welcome!)
Food will be delivered to the pantry in time for Easter.
Please note, your monetary donations to the food pantry stretch the food dollar as the pantry's
purchases from the Regional Food Bank provide more food per dollar.
100% of checks made payable to HUPC with "Food Pantry" in the memo will be sent directly to the pantry. HUPC 3153 County Route 30 Salem, NY 12865
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
You are a generous and loving
people, dear Salem community!
Please leave your donations for our food pantry in the bins are on the HUPC front porch.This week we are looking especially for foods that will provide Easter dinners for our community folks.
(All non-perishable food items and toiletries are always welcome!)
Food will be delivered to the pantry in time for Easter.
Please note, your monetary donations to the food pantry stretch the food dollar as the pantry's
purchases from the Regional Food Bank provide more food per dollar.
100% of checks made payable to HUPC with "Food Pantry" in the memo will be sent directly to the pantry. HUPC 3153 County Route 30 Salem, NY 12865
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Friday April 3, 2020
Some days it's hard to find something to smile about.
While prudent to stay current on government instructions, virus trajectories, treatments, and urgent needs in our communities, we've just got to find reasons to smile during this crisis.
Yesterday my daughter sent us a video of our six month old grandson eating his first solid food, that culinary delight of baby rice cereal! Watching most of it dribbling down his brother's chin, his 4 year old brother asked, "What does it smell like?" We all know rice cereal doesn't smell particularly appetizing, but baby thought it delicious! That was my smile for the day!
With hope of putting a momentary smile in your heart, I offer you the following funny. I pray it will give you strength and courage to continue serving, as the face and love of Jesus in your communities, as we face this crisis together, apart.
"Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip.😬 The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it 😝.....pull myself together."
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Some days it's hard to find something to smile about.
While prudent to stay current on government instructions, virus trajectories, treatments, and urgent needs in our communities, we've just got to find reasons to smile during this crisis.
Yesterday my daughter sent us a video of our six month old grandson eating his first solid food, that culinary delight of baby rice cereal! Watching most of it dribbling down his brother's chin, his 4 year old brother asked, "What does it smell like?" We all know rice cereal doesn't smell particularly appetizing, but baby thought it delicious! That was my smile for the day!
With hope of putting a momentary smile in your heart, I offer you the following funny. I pray it will give you strength and courage to continue serving, as the face and love of Jesus in your communities, as we face this crisis together, apart.
"Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip.😬 The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it 😝.....pull myself together."
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Thursday April 2, 2020
NOONTIME PRAYER- Please mark your calendars and join the HUPC community in prayer every Wednesday from your home or work, from 12:00-12:15 ending with the Lord's Prayer. This is not online. Let's give our eyes and computers a rest and enter into prayer, trusting the Holy Spirit to unite and lead our hearts. Those who need our prayers are countless, but know that when we cannot find the words, the Spirit prays for us. Know that sitting in pure silence or simply saying, "Thank you, God" is enough.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f51n-yb11dY
Tuesday March 31, 2020
Pussy Willow Hugs...
You may never know the difference you make, but the one you touch surely will!
Of course our circumstances could be so much worse. We are warm, have enough food, clean water, and can enjoy daily walks. So why are we so sad, discouraged, overwhelmed? Why can't we sleep? Why am I eating so much Easter candy?? The answers are myriad, but here are a few- the unknown causes anxiety- When will this stay-at-home end? Will I or a loved one get the virus? How can my kids catch up for lost school time? How long will I continue to be able to pay my bills? As well, my kids and spouse are driving me nuts! This isolation is driving me nuts, I wish I had a spouse or child!
I miss human contact closer than 6 feet!
I need a hug.
And then, someone offers a hug of sorts-
I have received home made soups, beautiful cards, calls from friends and parishioners, and today... a bouquet of beautiful pussy willows. The parishioner who dropped them off knows I love them and every spring, without fail, they arrive on my porch.
There is something about these velvety soft, furry catkins that make me smile. They are heralds of spring... "Wake up! I am your reminder that hope is blossoming!"
Of course Pussy Willows do not make the hardships and heartbreak of coronavirus go away, but small gifts of kindness to one another can give us the strength to continue to pray for, give to, and be there for others.
Please share how your day has been brightened when you have been either the giver or recipient of such a "hug"!
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long."
Psalm 146:1-2
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Pussy Willow Hugs...
You may never know the difference you make, but the one you touch surely will!
Of course our circumstances could be so much worse. We are warm, have enough food, clean water, and can enjoy daily walks. So why are we so sad, discouraged, overwhelmed? Why can't we sleep? Why am I eating so much Easter candy?? The answers are myriad, but here are a few- the unknown causes anxiety- When will this stay-at-home end? Will I or a loved one get the virus? How can my kids catch up for lost school time? How long will I continue to be able to pay my bills? As well, my kids and spouse are driving me nuts! This isolation is driving me nuts, I wish I had a spouse or child!
I miss human contact closer than 6 feet!
I need a hug.
And then, someone offers a hug of sorts-
I have received home made soups, beautiful cards, calls from friends and parishioners, and today... a bouquet of beautiful pussy willows. The parishioner who dropped them off knows I love them and every spring, without fail, they arrive on my porch.
There is something about these velvety soft, furry catkins that make me smile. They are heralds of spring... "Wake up! I am your reminder that hope is blossoming!"
Of course Pussy Willows do not make the hardships and heartbreak of coronavirus go away, but small gifts of kindness to one another can give us the strength to continue to pray for, give to, and be there for others.
Please share how your day has been brightened when you have been either the giver or recipient of such a "hug"!
"Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long."
Psalm 146:1-2
Be kind to yourself.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay home, stay hopeful.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Laura
Sunday March 29, 2020
Our cry, our hope in exile...
Isaiah 35 The Message (MSG)
Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here, on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way!
He’ll save you!”
Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.
There will be a highway called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road.
It’s for God’s people exclusively-- impossible to get lost on this road.
Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals--
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed will come back on this road.
They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
This is the Word, the promises of the Lord!
Thanks be to God.
Our cry, our hope in exile...
Isaiah 35 The Message (MSG)
Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here, on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way!
He’ll save you!”
Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.
There will be a highway called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road.
It’s for God’s people exclusively-- impossible to get lost on this road.
Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals--
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed will come back on this road.
They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
This is the Word, the promises of the Lord!
Thanks be to God.
Friday March 27, 2020
Sacred space.... what comes to mind? For many people, their church sanctuary is their sole experience and understanding of sacred space. But what does sacred mean? According to Webster, something sacred is "dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity". For those in one of the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, we would replace "deity" with Adonai, God, or Alla. It follows then, that a church sanctuary, temple, or mosque is a sacred space and that is correct, absolutely, it is! Those places where we gather for worship are sacred, set aside for worshipping God, and right now, we want to be there, to sit in our pew, listen to fussing babies, greet our friends, while singing favorite hymns. We want to take in the beauty of stained glass and candles. We want to see familiar faces and enjoy embraces. But for now, we are home and it may be easy to forget, that we are in Lent. Though quiet and empty, churches are draped in purple. April 5th is Palm Sunday and our heart's recall the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We long for what we had just a few weeks ago, open doors to enter into the sacred space of our church home. Thankfully, sacred space is not restricted to church buildings. Sacred spaces are also found while on walks in cities and countryside, sitting on porches watching traffic go by, at breakfast tables and on living room couches. Sacred spaces are where the ordinary is made holy through our intention, as we accept the invitation to meet God wherever we are. I invite us, especially in these times apart from one another, to set up a sacred space in our homes, making our own sanctuaries, built with items that remind us of God's love and presence. Below is a sacred space on my porch on Lake George. The simple cross is made with two sticks picked up outdoors, held together with twine. The candle reminds me of the presence of the spirit, illuminating the word of God and cross of Christ. The rocks are from solitary walks on the beach on the coast of Massachusetts. The floral tile is a gift from a dear friend. May your sacred space be a place of solace, hope, peace. May you come upon sacred spaces by surprise and make them yourself in your home.
I look forward to Zoom worshipping with you Sunday and hope to get a peak at your sacred spaces!
Please post them on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westhebronupc/.
May the Lord bless you and keep you today and always, Pastor Laura
(for Zoom worship information, please email me at westhebronunitedpres@gmail.com)
Sacred space.... what comes to mind? For many people, their church sanctuary is their sole experience and understanding of sacred space. But what does sacred mean? According to Webster, something sacred is "dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity". For those in one of the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, we would replace "deity" with Adonai, God, or Alla. It follows then, that a church sanctuary, temple, or mosque is a sacred space and that is correct, absolutely, it is! Those places where we gather for worship are sacred, set aside for worshipping God, and right now, we want to be there, to sit in our pew, listen to fussing babies, greet our friends, while singing favorite hymns. We want to take in the beauty of stained glass and candles. We want to see familiar faces and enjoy embraces. But for now, we are home and it may be easy to forget, that we are in Lent. Though quiet and empty, churches are draped in purple. April 5th is Palm Sunday and our heart's recall the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We long for what we had just a few weeks ago, open doors to enter into the sacred space of our church home. Thankfully, sacred space is not restricted to church buildings. Sacred spaces are also found while on walks in cities and countryside, sitting on porches watching traffic go by, at breakfast tables and on living room couches. Sacred spaces are where the ordinary is made holy through our intention, as we accept the invitation to meet God wherever we are. I invite us, especially in these times apart from one another, to set up a sacred space in our homes, making our own sanctuaries, built with items that remind us of God's love and presence. Below is a sacred space on my porch on Lake George. The simple cross is made with two sticks picked up outdoors, held together with twine. The candle reminds me of the presence of the spirit, illuminating the word of God and cross of Christ. The rocks are from solitary walks on the beach on the coast of Massachusetts. The floral tile is a gift from a dear friend. May your sacred space be a place of solace, hope, peace. May you come upon sacred spaces by surprise and make them yourself in your home.
I look forward to Zoom worshipping with you Sunday and hope to get a peak at your sacred spaces!
Please post them on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westhebronupc/.
May the Lord bless you and keep you today and always, Pastor Laura
(for Zoom worship information, please email me at westhebronunitedpres@gmail.com)
Wednesday March 25, 2020
We are in close quarters with one another, oh my! Tempers may flare, patience just might wear thin, strong opinions fly about concerning decisions our leaders are making. I say these things from experience, but for every mistake we make, every unkind word or deed we are tempted to speak or do, there are other choices we can make. And so I do well to take a breath and a pause... before acting or allowing words to flow like lava from my mouth... I am reminded of this beautiful prayer attributed (possibly accurately) to dear Saint Francis of Assisi. May his words guide us, and help us to seek joy, peace, light, and hope, not only in this pandemic, but in every season of our lives.
"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
With love and prayers for you,
Laura
Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)
The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in self-forgetting that we find;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czQAnEszjHE
We are in close quarters with one another, oh my! Tempers may flare, patience just might wear thin, strong opinions fly about concerning decisions our leaders are making. I say these things from experience, but for every mistake we make, every unkind word or deed we are tempted to speak or do, there are other choices we can make. And so I do well to take a breath and a pause... before acting or allowing words to flow like lava from my mouth... I am reminded of this beautiful prayer attributed (possibly accurately) to dear Saint Francis of Assisi. May his words guide us, and help us to seek joy, peace, light, and hope, not only in this pandemic, but in every season of our lives.
"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18
With love and prayers for you,
Laura
Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)
The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in self-forgetting that we find;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czQAnEszjHE
Tuesday March 24, 2020
As unexpected as this season of shut down and isolation, so also the blanket of snow on the landscapes outside our windows this morning. No one welcomed the chaos the coronavirus has wrecked in our lives. Many people do not welcome spring snow. But... I do welcome this morning's springtime wonderland. Like the anxiety, sorrow, and heartache of this pandemic, this snow is temporary. Underneath is buried our earth, that before today was already beginning to awaken- crocuses, daffodils, greening meadows, pussy willows and forsythia. Spring birds are retuning to feeders and fields. Hope lies under the snow and hope in our hearts and lives lies ready for the claiming. When we can't see or feel it, we need to trust that it is there and maybe go looking for it. After this post I am going to close my computer and do my best to leave it closed for the day. I am not closing my mind or heart to the disaster, I am not forgetting those who are truly suffering, the individuals and families who have lost loved ones or businesses. When I go outside to breathe in this new day, my prayers are for them and those working in the trenches for us. Today I will embrace the wintery scene, try to smile, and hold fast to the truth that we will get through this together, with God's help.
Praying for you this day,
Laura
"...the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater..." Isaiah 55:10
As unexpected as this season of shut down and isolation, so also the blanket of snow on the landscapes outside our windows this morning. No one welcomed the chaos the coronavirus has wrecked in our lives. Many people do not welcome spring snow. But... I do welcome this morning's springtime wonderland. Like the anxiety, sorrow, and heartache of this pandemic, this snow is temporary. Underneath is buried our earth, that before today was already beginning to awaken- crocuses, daffodils, greening meadows, pussy willows and forsythia. Spring birds are retuning to feeders and fields. Hope lies under the snow and hope in our hearts and lives lies ready for the claiming. When we can't see or feel it, we need to trust that it is there and maybe go looking for it. After this post I am going to close my computer and do my best to leave it closed for the day. I am not closing my mind or heart to the disaster, I am not forgetting those who are truly suffering, the individuals and families who have lost loved ones or businesses. When I go outside to breathe in this new day, my prayers are for them and those working in the trenches for us. Today I will embrace the wintery scene, try to smile, and hold fast to the truth that we will get through this together, with God's help.
Praying for you this day,
Laura
"...the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater..." Isaiah 55:10
