Blessings to you as Spring lies around the corner (begins tomorrow). We are enjoying the added daylight each day and hope that you are using the increased light to work and be God’s witnesses in your community. We have had rousing sessions during our Lenten program (which will take a 1-week hiatus this week) and pray that your Lenten devotions have been fruitful. Our prayer for you all is that the coming week brings the beginning of spring and warmer temperatures.

We gathered today to celebrate God’s day and the fourth Sunday in Lent. We opened worship with the reminder that Jesus, the true bread that gives life, came down from heaven that we might be redeemed and restored to relationship with God. In our Hebrew scripture reading from First Samuel we heard the account of David being anointed king in place of Saul. We were reminded that God sees the heart of individuals and doesn’t grade by appearances. All, even the marginalized are welcome in God’s economy. Our Psalmist sang the most memorable song of God’s guidance found in the 23rd Psalm. We live in the truth that God guides us where we need to go, if we let God do that. The epistle from Ephesians gives us the challenge to find the things that are pleasing to the Lord – a life that seeks to shine God’s light in the world.

Today’s sermon was based on John’s gospel account of the healing of the man born blind. We heard the account of one who was “born entirely in sin” and judged by appearances as one forsaken by God. Yet Jesus heals the man and the man becomes a spokesman for Christ and God, even against the focused disdain of the religious rulers. We are reminded that God is always present and leading us in our journey. Our mission is to tell God’s story and about God’s presence in our world, even when God appears distant.

I invite your comments,
Les+

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-13; John 9:1-41

Listen at: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-1/song/sermon-from-the-4th-sunday-in-lent

Video of Sermon: https://youtu.be/rEwsXYW2NkM

Video of Worship: https://youtu.be/3Y6kr7Jq91A