Kids’ News

As usual, I always arrive early for church. This Sunday I was delighted to see a little girl, her mom, and her grandpa on the playground. Mom was pushing the little girl on the swing. I just sat and watched them for some time, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say hello. As I walked toward them, Audrey, the little 23-month-old girl, ran toward me! She was so happy, I invited her to Sunday school to also play inside, but mom had to leave. I am sure they will be back!

We have been traveling with Abraham and Sarah as they journey to a new home. Sarah is 90 and Abraham is 100. These are hardly the ages you would expect to become parents. Sarah laughs as she did when she learned that she would be a mother; this time, her laughter was from joy as she learned she would be a mother. Sarah names her son “Isaac”, which means “laughter”. Through this story, we realize that God is faithful, and God keeps his promises. God wants us to be faithful and keep our promises.

Noah and I were busy in Children’s church as we painted artwork to take home to Mom. After church, Noah was checking out the playground before going home. Grandma Liz was very patiently waiting!

We will continue our journey with Abraham this week; will you join us?

Blessings

The Welcoming Prayer

BY FATHER THOMAS KEATING


Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today
because I know it’s for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons,
situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem,
approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation,
condition, person or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and
God’s action within. Amen.

Friday’s Word

Rev. Max, you go from one extreme to the other.
You reject the claim of conservative Christians for the
inerrancy of scripture and reject things like the miracle
of the Flood, then you push an outlandish miracle like a
healing at Lourdes. I am mystified as to your purpose in
this.
Tom—

Well, Tom, my purpose is to provoke people to think.

Scripture is glorious. It is a window to God. But it is not inerrant.

The image of God in the Flood Story as a loser who goofs up, destroys his creation, and then regrets it is not consistent with the teachings of Jesus about the nature of God.

But the healing of a young girl, Marie Le Marchand, at Lourdes in 1882, is supported by considerable evidence.

The girl had advanced lupus, TB, and huge sores covering her legs.

She was “oozing blood.”

The great novelist (and atheist) Emil Zola, wanted to debunk Lourdes and healing.

Instead, he witnessed the healing of the young girl.

A doctor also stood by and followed the girl to the hospital. Her lungs were clear. The sores were gone.

She was still healthy 16 years later.

I told the story two weeks ago to push you to decide: To what extent will you accept evidence that challenges your own ideas about how life works?

Do you have to run from the evidence to maintain your theology?

My faith is rooted in evidence.

I don’t have to run.

I don’t have to pretend.

I am secure in the understanding that God works in our world. +++

Concert—tomorrow—Sat. the 14th —6:00 p.m.

And Rev. Beverly Tye preaches this Sunday.