Daily Archives: February 14, 2024

2407 – The Power of Forgiveness

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Romans 7:14-25 New International Version

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a]For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[b] a slave to the law of sin.

Luke 5:17-26 New International Version

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Friday’s Word

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As Real as Gravity

A friend said a woman who worked with her had a strange story to tell.

I called the woman.

She and a friend were traveling around England in a hired car. At some point, a lorry (as the English call a truck) pulled out from a side street.

It was just, suddenly, there, right in front of them.

No chance to stop.

No chance, even, to hit the brakes.

But there was no impact.

Their car went right through the truck.

It went through.

One vehicle passed silently through the other.

In a flash, the women saw the inside of the truck.

They saw the red plaid shirt the driver wore.

They couldn’t take it in. Something that could not happen had just happened.

Shaken, confused, they continued their journey.

And it took some courage to even share this story with friends.

It’s—uh—unbelievable.

So, why am I sharing it with you?

Because I have six other accounts like it from all over the world.

And I am looking for more.

I want to talk to a few physicists. (Are there any reading this?)

Whether they believe the accounts or not, I want them to suggest what is happening.

Is this an example of quantum tunnelling?

(Look it up.)

Why am I interested?

First of all, if real, God did it.

Second, something like this, I believe, happened at the resurrection. The body of Jesus dematerialized.

The cloth covering the body fell through the body, leaving the image we now see on the Shroud of Turin.

The resurrection was a quantum event.

Also unbelievable.

But as real as gravity.

Max’s Corner

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ASH WEDNESDAY
7:00 P.M.

It’s a simple service.

My message is short.

Some lovely music.

Imposition of the ashes and prayer at the rail.

Let God do whatever God wants to do in our lives this Lent. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.

And repentance.

And thanksgiving for forgiveness.

Last Sunday

We will remember it as Keith Butterfield’s 97th birthday. We had a good time celebrating after worship. (We’ll do it for you, too, when you reach 97.)

Some folks thought I ran two women off during the sermon. I didn’t. That was just Vita and Linda stepping out to help with the birthday party.

What a job the choir did with just five people up there. No—I could hear no lack. Our tenor had to sing bass. Mary sang tenor.

Yes—we need a bass.

I want Blake to have what he needs.

Our choir is a bit of a marvel.

It sounds better than many larger choirs.

And it is a worship blessing.

This Sunday

Mary preaches for the next two weeks.

Do you remember all those questions Mary had to answer in prep for ordination? She will preach a couple of her answers in these sermons.

My next sermon is called “Jesus Got It Right.” How do we know? Does anyone know what God is like? Know for sure?

I say yes. But HOW can we know—for sure?

Remember breakfast.

(Do we have any others to help with this?)

See you WEDNESDAY! Perhaps? I hope.

God bless—MB

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings dear church and friends of the church!

Rev. Beverly Tye came through her surgery with a good report from the surgeon. We pray now for continued and quick healing for Beverly. We also pray for adequate pain control. She faces many months of rehabilitative therapy and I know she will be strengthened by your love and support. It was great to see the Maxwells this past Sunday. And it was great to celebrate Keith’s birthday! We have a real live WWII veteran in our midst folks. Dan Kessler took Keith out to the Joint Naval Reserve Base where Keith was honored with a cake and small celebration. The pictures are in this newsletter. I’ve never seen Keith smile so brightly. We love you, sir, and are grateful for your service.

Many of you will receive this newsletter on Wednesday, February 14, Ash Wednesday. This first day of Lent is a high holy day in much of the Christian faith tradition, Methodists included. As Max said on Sunday, we will come together to receive the mark of the cross on our forehead, indicating that we are the followers of Jesus Christ. The ashes represent our mortality. The entire exercise is intended to ask God for forgiveness and profess our devotion to God. While I will say the words, “you are forgiven,” I am only the messenger. I am not worthy to forgive you, only our Lord is worthy. I am humbled to be involved in the process. This is one of the reasons I am drawn to Methodism, this focus on the tradition of Lent. These next forty days are ours to use as we can to further God’s kingdom and strengthen our relationship with the One who loves us most. Until tonight, Mary

Kids’ News

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In our Bible story this week, Jesus had been teaching to large crowds and decided to take some time away with His disciples. Jesus and the disciples took a boat out on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was tired from teaching and ministering, so he went to the front of the boat and fell asleep.

Soon, a storm struck. The boat shook and the disciples were afraid. They went to Jesus for help but were surprised to find him soundly asleep. They thought, how can anyone sleep when there is a chance their boat might flood, and they might all drown? But Jesus remained calm.

Jesus got up and calmed the storm. He then asked the disciples why they were scared, as if their feelings of fear were unnecessary. The disciples were amazed.

We too, might feel amazed about this story — what amazing power Jesus has! What a gift it is to know there is someone like Jesus who can be present with us in the midst of life’s storms!

Speaking of gifts, we had something for you on Sunday. Valentine’s Day is this week! Maybe those things will still be there Sunday.

See you in church!