Fifth Sunday in Lent (a)
“They say happiness
Is just around the bend
‘Til I'm there
It's good to have a friend”
www.petermayer.com/songs/good-to-have-a-friend
Today our congregation begins its reflection on The Blessing of Being Plugged-In. We are playing off the notion of “being unplugged” (i.e. Sabbath) in order to be “engaged.”
It is our hope and prayer that we will truly celebrate as Peter sings, “it’s good to have a friend.” That friend is Jesus. And of course, we have the opportunity to be-friend others in our world today. When you know, feel, sense, realize and experience friendship there is a “Delight” that comes your way. We have a graphic that blends the Nike “swoosh” with the cross. In other words, as the Letter to James said so succinctly and eloquently, “JUST DO IT.”
“27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27)
http://www.bethany-denver2.org/2011/04/be-the-blessing-pamphlet/
Our Faith Formation Team and Be The Blessing Team is in the process of formatting, tweaking and revising our hopes and goals for May 22, 2011. Today we are having a service fair featuring the 20 plus partner ministry sites where we will be friends on May 22nd. We are grateful for your “Delight” and prayers.
This weekend also marks the release of the movie Soul Surfer. A young woman from our congregation, Anna Sophia Robb has the lead role. If you haven’t checked this movie out, I encourage you to do so. It’s about faith and determination.
The Psalmist sang about “Delight” in the first song of the hymn book of the people of God, Psalm 1,
“Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.”
At our 10:30am service this morning we are celebrating families who have loved ones serving in the military. Our congregation has created a response to what these families are experiencing as they go through the deployments of their loved ones. Our Health and Wellness Cabinet, inspired by the marvelous book Welcome Them Home- Help Them Heal (which was given a lift by Wheat Ridge Ministries) www.wheatridge.org
www.welcomethemhomebook.com has gathered around the idea of
OPERATION ONE NATION.
These efforts have led us to work with an amazing group called Project Sanctuary. You can learn more about them by check out www.projectsanctuary.us/
There are many ways to “plug in.” I pray that you strengthen and deepen your efforts at being a “friend.” May you find “Delight” in doing God’s work.
As those theologians from Illinois, The Blues Brothers used to say,
“we’re on a mission for GOD!”
peace,
rtg
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