Greetings to you on this chilly morning! I wish that we could have met yesterday for church, but there was just NO WAY for us to worship together in person.
I hope that you have all been staying warm and safe. Yesterday was Transfiguration Sunday. I preached a similar sermon a few years ago, so I modified it a bit for yesterday's sermon. (attached)
I hope that you all enjoyed a cozy Valentines' Day! So long as you didn't have dinner plans, or had to go into work, it was a great day to curl up with your honey (for me it was just pets this time) and watch the beauty of God's creation unfold.
I should be out and about a lot today. If you need someone to run an errand for you, I am more than happy to help in order to prevent some of you from slipping or falling on the ice. The sun and dry climate should help us clear up the roads some.
Julie Sursa wrote a poem and sent it to me at Christmastime. With her permission, I am sharing it with you. Even though it's about Christmas, I hope that it provides you with some spiritual nourishment.
Blessings and love,
Rev. Amy
575-708-0860
THE GIFT OF 2020 (Julie Sursa, December 2020)
Somewhere back in the early spring,
the Grinch decided to do his thing.
"I'll teach the people a thing or two...
a virus, that's what I will do."
"Isolation, masks, the washing of hands,
close down businesses throughout the lands.
I'll shut down schools! Won't parents be sad!
I'll shut down jobs for moms and dads."
"I'll cancel vacations, spas and retreats.
I'll make them cook if they want to eat.
I'll take every bit of 'normal' away,
and at home, they will have to stay."
"I'll cancel culture, and some will be woke,
but others will still believe it's a joke!"
I'll see that governments and elections are shattered.
And if anyone thinks I'm through, they are blathered!"
"Now comes Christmas, a dreadful time of year.
I'm sure that I've cancelled most of the cheer.
No one will have a shopping spree, singing of carols,
or trimming the tree."
"I've done all I can to shut down their joy.
But wait, I forgot about the sweet baby boy,
who lies in a manger with shepherds, and wise men,
with a star and angels in Bethlehem."
"And people, though saddened and hurt by my scorn,
remember this baby and the day he was born.
They remember that Christmas, and even this year,
is not about presents, feasting and cheer."
"Their Hope is what I wish to destroy;
their Faith in a Savior, born as a boy."
And the Grinch found that, though people grieve,
He could not steal Christmas from those who Believe.
sunday_february_14_2021_sermon.docx |