Blessings to you all on the annual celebration of Mother’s Day, or as I like to call it “Mothering Sunday” the day where we remember the mother figures in our lives. We are beginning to focus our efforts on what it will take to get worship back in the sanctuary on a periodic basis (at least). We have had a good time worshipping in the Parish Hall converted to a worship space but are working to restore our pattern of use to something closer to “normal” – worship in the sanctuary and a gathering place in the Parish Hall. Lots to consider between here and there, but we are becoming more focused. Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate and happy Mothering Sunday to all.
As we worshipped today we began the journey toward the end of Easter – just one more Sunday before Pentecost. We began our reflection today with the collect and the reminder that God’s promises are not about us, but are a reinforcement of God’s nature. The promises God offers us are given to help us navigate the “mundane” parts of our life. Our Psalmist invited us to sing a new song to God because God has been marvelous to and for us. God’s marvelous nature is born out of the relationship we have or develop with God. Our reading from John’s first Epistle serves as a reminder that, as God’s children we are called to live a life of love and care. And if we do that, we will find God’s commandments aren’t a burden. We also remember that God came in the flesh so we could understand God in our context. The Gospel of John tells us that we need to love God and abide in God’s presence. That the love command is one that creates friendship not oppression. Our sermon today focused on the reading from Acts, the end of Peter’s sermon when he goes to meet Cornelius the Centurion. The life we live in God is astounding and empowering. Those we are truly called to reach out to are very likely not like us, just like the “very Gentile” Cornelius wasn’t life Peter. This is the greatest gift we can offer as God’s servant in the world.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/KTKyqn-pPuI
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