Cloud of Witnesses

In my sermon this past Sunday, I mentioned one of my favorite passages from the New Testament which is from Hebrews 12:1-2 and it says this:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

We give thanks to God for putting people of faith in our lives who guide and nurture us in our relationship with God.  These people walk with us when we doubt.  They lift us up in prayer.  They encourage us to deepen our relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  When I wrote my sermon last week, I included some information about one of the people in my life who provided this support – my grandmother or Oma as we call her.  My Oma has been very sick and on Sunday morning, I decided not to talk about her because I was afraid that I would get emotional.  

It is with profound sadness that I announce that she has now gone to be with the Lord.  She was ill for only a few weeks and each night, she prayed to God to take her home and on Wednesday, God granted her request.  Even though we are sad, we know that she now dwells in the everlasting arms of the Lord.  

As a result of this loss, I will not be leading worship on Sunday February 1^st as I will be traveling to Germany to be with my family and participate in her funeral service on Monday February 2^nd.  I will be returning home on Wednesday February 4^th.  

We welcome Ken Sheward to the pulpit on Sunday.  

Blessings, Emma.

Call and Answer

As I am preparing to preach on Jesus' call to the first disciples as told to us in Mark's gospel, I found this lovely poem. 

Blessings, Emma.

Jesus called
Simon and Andrew.

No questions,
they dropped their nets.

James and John left their boats
and left their father
sitting in
one.

Jesus,
we hear you calling us.

We want to leave our boats
and drop our nets.
Help us let
go.

— written by Anne Osdieck.  Posted on The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University website.

The real work of Christmas

We have been taking down the Christmas decorations at home and at the church and it struck me that this is when the real work of Christmas begins.  How can we take the peace, hope, joy, and love of the Christ child and incorporate it into our daily lives? 

Here is a beautiful poem written by Howard Thurman that captures this sentiment much better than I will ever be able to do!

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,...
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins. 

Amen! 

Blessings, Emma. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7.