A Congregational Letter to Morgan’s Point and Forks Road East United Churches
I was delighted to be able to chat, and text, with so many of you this week. It was great catching up on family news. On Monday, July 5th, I will begin my vacation time away from work for a couple of weeks. Ted and I are looking forwards to this time of quiet relaxation. Know that I will keep you in my heart and prayers, as always, during this time. Do keep well and safe with your families during these warm and peaceful days of summer.
The Gospel Lesson this week comes from the Gospel of Mark 6:1-13. Our passage, today, reveals how a group of people in Jesus’ home town did not believe that Jesus could bring a healing difference in their lives. They did not believe that things could be different for them with Jesus’ presence. No matter what Jesus did in their midst, misunderstanding and hostility seemed to grow. People from Jesus’ home town simply did not believe in him. Even comments about Jesus’ origin were used against him by home town folk. They would ask one another how anyone from such an ordinary home, like Jesus was raised in, could have such extraordinary wisdom and power. These people look offence at Jesus, and could not believe that God was at work among them, especially through Jesus, a mere carpenter’s son.
We learn from this story, that no mighty work can be done in a community, or even in churches like ours, if people expect that no mighty works can be done. A person’s own belief is essential to bring about change and miracles. Our belief affects how we approach our tasks.
The home town for Jesus, today, is the Church - and the miraculous presence of God in our lives, and in our Church, cannot occur without our being willing to believe that it can happen.
Morgan’s Point and Forks Road East United Churches can and do make a difference in the world, because we believe in the miraculous power and presence of God in our lives, and in our faith communities. Your life, and my life, is different with Jesus’ presence guiding us. The Church can be and is different when we believe in miracles.
Let us, together, hold steadfast to the miraculous power of Christ in our lives, and in our faith communities, as we reach out to Jesus in hope, faith, trust, and belief.
I would invite you, as always, to continue to pray for one another every morning at 10:30, remembering that God grants us wisdom, love, and peace as we hold each other in God’s tender keeping. Much love and care to you all. Keep well and safe.
God’s Blessings,
Pastor Laura
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