Alive in Each of Us
Greetings,
We are going through a time of change. This presents us with opportunity to be caring and kind. On Thursday evening many members of the Big Red Church gathered in their cars to celebrate a young man's fifteenth birthday. We lined up on a side street and then slowly drove by the front of the young man's family home. Some of the cars had balloons attached and some had graphic images. Each car honking its horn to make a joyful sound. Then we stopped our cars, rolled down the windows and sang happy birthday. The young man and his family came out of their home to enjoy this wonderful display of loving care and attention. My heart was filled with delight to see our faith community express such kind and creative action.
On Thursday morning a small group of persons gathered at the Big Red Church. Working together we prepared a short video presentation for you. This is not the same as being in Church together, but in these days of social distancing it is the best we can manage. If you have any ideas about how we can improve our presentation, please send us a word.
Perhaps, before watching the video, you could read the lectionary texts for this Sunday. You will find them just below the video. Also, apologies for not having the camera set at the right angle which at times leaves the top of my head out of the picture.
Lectionary Passages:
1 Peter 1:3-9 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John 20:19-23 - When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."