Union family,
We are in the middle of Holy Week. But it is such a different week than we could have ever imagined. We didn’t gather in the sanctuary to wave palms on Sunday. We are not gathering on Maundy Thursday to remember the night Jesus ate a last supper with his disciples, washed their feet, and was betrayed by one of his own. And now we are drawing close to Easter Sunday. We will miss the time at sunrise – around the fire, with the mist rising from the ground. We will miss greeting each other with the words, “He is risen. He is risen indeed.” We will miss our floral cross and the beautiful Easter music ringing from our sanctuary.
I truly think that we might experience what that first Easter must have been like for those early believers. They were not in a sanctuary filled with singing. Instead, they were locked in their homes, afraid, knowing of the danger that was just outside their doors.
What will Easter be like for us this year? I truly believe that it can be extraordinary if we let it. Whether we are quarantined at home or not, Jesus is still risen. The good news of that first Easter can still ring from our hearts and our homes. Can you offer the words, “He is risen. He is risen indeed!” when you get out of bed each morning? These words, often saved for Easter Sunday, can be spoken every day of the week. Why don’t we begin saying them today? In the midst of life like we’ve never known, these words remain the same, calling us to the hope that only Jesus can give.
-Pastor Jane
April 1
Union family,
My prayers are that you are all doing well today. If you are like me, you aren’t quite sure of which day of the week it is. As hard as this quarantine is, by sheltering in place, we can know that we are doing what is best for ourselves and all our neighbors. This action is perhaps the greatest ministry we can offer during these uncertain days.
Beginning this Sunday, we enter into Holy Week – a week like no other. And, this year, it will truly be that. I have asked myself so many questions about how we can have Holy Week without gathering, and to be honest, I’m still not sure of the answer. But, it is here, and I know God will speak to us, even in the uncertainty. With that said, here are the plans.
This Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday – we will meet on Facebook at 10:30 to celebrate and remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. In this article you will see a link to a Palm Frond. If you are able, print this attachment, cut the palm frond out and color it. There will be a point in our online service where we will all wave out fronds together, much like we would do if we were in the sanctuary. Also, come to the online service with your Bible and your own communion elements.
Each day during Holy Week, Monday-Saturday, April 6-11 – we will do something we’ve never done. At 3:00 each afternoon, I will be on Facebook Live, reading the Holy Week stories. What did Jesus do each day between Palm Sunday and Easter? Have you ever wondered? Each day, we will hear from the gospel of Matthew as he tells the story. I invite you to take a few minutes out of your day, Monday-Saturday, and hear the words that will guide our journey during the week. If you cannot watch at 3:00, the videos will remain up to view at any time that is convenient. We will also post these videos on the church website. www.unionchristianchurch.net.
Even though this will be a different Holy Week that we’ve been used to, it can be a meaningful and holy time for us all. I encourage you to take advantage of these offerings. May God’s love surround you this week.
Download the Palm Frond HERE.
-Pastor Jane
March 25
My dear Union family – I miss you!! It is so hard to be separated during these days. Do know that I am praying for each of you by name.
I’m writing this week to share some information with you about how we are proceeding as a church during these uncertain days and answer some questions.
When will we be back in the building? The answer is: we don’t know. We had previously shared information that the building would be closed through the end of March. We are extending that time indefinitely and will let you know when it is safe to come back to the building. Whatever Sunday that is, we will celebrate Easter!!
How will we worship together in the meantime? Each Sunday morning at 11:00, we will share a time of worship on Facebook. This time will be different than our normal in person service. We will hear some beautiful music, and I will share a short message with you. In addition, we will all share in communion. Even though we are not together physically, we will be together spiritually. When you gather for worship, bring a drink and a bite that can be used for communion. Remember, Jesus took what was on the table and used that. Let’s do the same. Also, have your Bible ready. If you do not use Facebook, the service will be available on our church website on Monday. www.unionchristianchurch.net.
Are we still doing mission work?
Right now, we are participating in a new project. Gina McKinney and Joyce Beckwith are leading the charge to make masks for our medical professionals. If you would like to help, contact Gina at 706-207-3509 or ginaamck@gmail.com or Joyce 706-338-4475 or jjbeck3@bellsouth.net.
ACTS has offered the following update: ACTS will be operating on our regular schedule being open on Tuesday and Friday from 9 until 1 until further notice. We will not be accepting new clients for now so we can continue to serve our current clients. If our volunteers are staying home to isolate themselves, we understand and ask you to notify us by email, call, or text message so we can adjust the way we serve our clients. email, randyd@uga.edu phone or text to 706-540-3695.
Family Promise has moved their May fundraising event to this week. You might have already seen information about it on Facebook or via email. We will be using the GiveGab online platform March 25-April 1 to try to raise $25,000.00 to both cover our increased costs during this crisis and to increase the possibility of matching funds through a variety of sources. Starting on March 25 folks can go the GiveGab site to donate directly. Here's the link: https://www.fpgives.org/organizations/family-promise-of-athens.
In addition to weekly worship, how else can we say connected?
Monday nights at 7:00 – Women’s Bible Study will meet via Zoom
Wednesday mornings at 9:30 – Women’s Bible Study will meet via Zoom
Saturday mornings at 10:00 – a prayer time will be offered via freeconferencecall.com. Call 706-548-9071 to talk with other Union members and share prayer requests. These requests will be published on the church prayer list. If you have additional requests, please let me know.
Sunday nights at 7:00 – Youth will meet via Zoom with Miss Holly and Garrett
College students will meet via Zoom – time TBD
Beginning next week, we will also offer a church-wide Bible study via Zoom - time TBD
How can I give my offering? There are several ways you can make sure your offering gets to Union. These are uncertain financial times for everyone. Your continuing generous gifts enable Union to honor our ministry and missions.
You can mail a check to the church 1130 Union Church Road Watkinsville, GA 30621.
You can notify your bank to send a check to the church.
We are also working on providing an online option as another way to give.
Speaking of money, what about the Benevolence Offering? This Sunday is a fifth Sunday, the time for an “extra” offering that goes toward Benevolence ministry. You can send your benevolence offering in the same way as your regular offering. (see above) Please make a note of its designation.
These are uncertain times for us all. During these days, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself. Many of you are working from home, parenting, and homeschooling. Instead of trying to do everything, take time to call your friends, send a card, spend some time in quiet contemplation, and listen for the voice of God. The building may be closed, but the church isn’t. We’re just out, sharing God’s good news.
-Pastor Jane
A Note From Pastor Jane
Dear Union Family,
Just yesterday, you received an email about our church’s response to the coronavirus. But, as I said in that email, things are changing rapidly. Because of the many updates in less than 24 hours, I have spoken with several of our church leaders, and out of precaution and love for those in our community, we have made the decision to cancel all church activities in our building, beginning Sunday, March 15, for one week. This will include Sunday School, worship, Cool Kids, youth, Women’s Craft Group, Wednesday night Soup and Bible study, and Church Council. A decision on future weeks has not been made yet.
This decision has not come lightly, and only after much prayer, but we feel it is the right thing to do.
I will share a Facebook Live message at 11:00 this Sunday on the church Facebook Page. This message can also be accessed afterwards on our church website. By being on the website, those that are not on Facebook will have the opportunity to view it.
Please feel free to email or call me if you have any questions or concerns. janehull54@gmail.com
or 256-426-8011.
Finally, know that we do all of this not out of fear, but out of love – love for God, and love for those in our community whose health and well-being are among the most vulnerable.
This morning I read words from author Shauna Niequist that I would like to share with you.
“Anxiety and fear are powerful. But love is infinitely more powerful. Love gets us out of our cocoons and reminds us of the truth that we’re all connected, that we need each other, that our actions can make a difference in other peoples’ lives.”
She then offered this suggestion:
“Let’s think of ways we can love well right now – love our families, love our neighbors, love our global human family, love the most vulnerable among us. Even with school closings, even with social distancing, what are the big and little acts of love that can make a difference right now?”
What does love look like right now?
Email me some of your answers, and I will post them on Facebook.
With much love,
Pastor Jane
March 4
As we all know, the Coronavirus is making an impact all around our world. From limited travel, to unusual safety precautions, to the wildly fluctuating stock market, we have all been touched by it in some way. Various denominational groups have developed guidelines for how churches can offer enhanced safety precautions, while still meeting together for Bible study and worship. This situation is very fluid and things change daily, but I want to inform you of several ways you can help as we gather this Sunday.
Wash your hands – often! CDC instructions are to wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, washing carefully between fingers and under fingernails. Some even suggest also using hand sanitizer after washing. The guidelines also remind us to not touch our faces.
I would like to suggest some changes during our Meet and Greet time. Currently, we often shake hands and give hugs, expressing a warm welcome with physical touch, often skin to skin. There are several options on alternative ways we can still greet. You can do a fist bump, or an elbow bump. Or, you could look at a friend and offer the words, “The peace of Christ be with you.” The response, “And also with you.”
Also, beginning this Sunday, as I greet you after worship, I will join you in doing this instead of our usual hugs. Sometimes this is called “social distancing,” which for many of us seems the opposite of Christian affection. But, I do think that each of us being mindful of protecting each other, does show our affection.
The blankets that are usually located at the ends of the pews have all been laundered this week. Instead of being in the pews, they will now be located in large baskets in the Gathering Space. If you need a blanket, please take one and use it as usual. At the end of the service, leave it in your pew and it will be laundered again before next Sunday. We continue to follow this practice until further notice. We have also placed small tissue packages at both ends of the pews. They are there for your use, if needed.
Additional bottles of hand sanitizer will be located around the church. Please use them.
Beginning this Sunday, we will make a change in how we partake of communion – the center of our faith. If you are able, please come forward. The first stop will be a hand sanitation station. From there you will move to the bread station. Hold out your cupped hands and a gloved elder will drop the bread into your hands. Moving to the other side of the communion table, another gloved elder will hand you an individual cup. After eating and drinking, there will then be a trash basket for you to deposit your used cups. I will fully explain this again on Sunday morning. This change will remain in effect until the threat has disappeared.
-Pastor Jane
February 26
Today is Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the season of Lent. We will join with Christians world-wide as we gather tonight for a time of worship to mark this important beginning. Ash Wednesday is a time for us to reflect on the frailty and shortness of life. We will utter the words – “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” These words will remind us that death is as basic as birth. It is a somber thought and our service tonight will be a somber service. But this time together will offer us a moment to take stock of our lives and reflect on whether we are making the most our of God’s gift of life.
I hope you will join us in the sanctuary tonight at 6:00 as we gather for this time of reflection.
February 19
We are fast approaching the season of Lent. Each year, on the Wednesday nights of Lent, we have had the practice of meeting together for a time of soup fellowship and Bible study. Even though we are still two weeks out, I would like to give you a “heads up” on our Lenten Bible Study this year. We will be studying a new book called The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life, written by Adam Hamilton. This book explores five essential Christian practices we can engage in to help us as we walk through our daily lives. Each of these practices find their foundation in Jesus’ own walk and will help us grow together as a people of God.
Hear some words from the introduction:
“In Matthew 4, Jesus walked along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He came to Simon Peter and Andrew and gave them this simple invitation, “Come, follow me.” A few steps later he called James and John to do the same. Sometime later he saw a tax collector named Matthew and said to him, “Follow me.” These followers became known as disciples – ones who follow, learn from, and emulate their master. And the word “to follow” in Greek is akoloutheo, which means to accompany on a journey or to walk with someone down a road.”
Elsewhere in the Midweek you can find links to order your study book. I encourage you to do so and begin reading. I look forward to walking with you and Jesus during Lent.
Soup and Bible Study
The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life by Adam Hamilton
March 4 - Worship and Prayer
p. 17-40
March 11 - Study
p. 41-64
March 18 - Serve
p. 65-86
March 25 - Give
p. 87-112
April 1 - Share
p. 113-138
February 12
The Gifts That Keep On Giving. During Epiphany, we have had the opportunity to explore seven of these extraordinary gifts. I hope you have loved seeing a new gift appear before us each Sunday as much as I have.
This week, we come to our final gift - The Gift of Outrageous Grace. Have you every known God to be outrageous? When we hear that word, we often think of something bigger than life; an outrageous comment; an outrageous car; an outrageous hairstyle….the list could go on and on. But, this week you may be surprised. Why? Because we will find outrageous grace in the story from Jesus about how to mend fences with those you disagree.
Is it even possible to follow Jesus’ guidance found in Matthew 5:21-37 and extend grace to those who have wronged us; to those who have made us angry? I wonder if the lesson from Jesus’ words could somehow help extend grace into our world – a place where it is so often absent these days. May we all be examples of God’s grace.
-Pastor Jane
February 5
David and I have been doing some Spring Cleaning lately – mainly going through boxes that have been unopened in our storeroom for a long time. Many of these boxes came from his parents’ home after their death, with the idea that “someday” we would go through them. Well, the “someday” has come!
This past Saturday, we found a box that was filled with newspaper clippings of the many times his father, Bill, had been invited to preach in a town. The local newspapers would often write an article about his visit. We had such fun looking back over all these years. But in the midst of clippings about him, we found one that took our breath away. It was a full 1 ½ page article about his mother from the Greensboro, NC paper, with the headline, “Dean’s Wife Is Cooking Scholar.” You see, David’ mother, Wylodine, was well-known as an amazing cook. Because of Bill’s work, they often entertained in their home, and she spent hours creating unique and tasty dishes for their guests. “Cooking Scholar?” We has such fun with that headline.
I thought of her this week as I have been studying. This Sunday, we will continue in Matthew, looking at Jesus’ words, “You are the salt of the earth.” What did he mean by that image? His words made me think of Wylodine. The seasonings she added to her meals are what made them so special. It was because of her, that, as a young bride, I learned how to use those seasonings and learned that the true taste of the meal was enhanced by those added spices. I learned about peppercorns and mint, anise and marjoram, and so many more. She taught me how to take food from plain to extraordinary.
Could Jesus have been telling us the same thing? How we, as his followers, have the tools to share our extraordinary lives, lives lived with him, with our neighbor? What “spice” has Jesus added to your life? Are you using it to help share the Good News? Let’s talk about those questions this Sunday. “You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13.
-Pastor Jane
January 29
In 2016 - from the Sunday after Easter, through the Sunday before Thanksgiving - all of us at Union were in the midst of an emphasis called The Story. Adults, children, and youth walked through the entire Bible together, in both sermons and Sunday school lessons. We were reminded once again the stories of our faith, this time told in chronological order, and pieced together from the various biblical passages in which the stories were located.
That September, we found ourselves at Jesus’ greatest teaching, The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7. If you were in worship that day, you may remember that the sermon consisted of a reading of the entire Sermon on the Mount from The Message translation. Hearing Jesus’ words in contemporary language was jarring at times, but that day, we were reminded once again that Jesus’ words are always current.
This Sunday we will return to the Sermon on the Mount, focusing this time on a smaller portion called The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:1-12. These words tell us that blessedness will come to those who practice the ethics of the kingdom. I hope you will join us as we learn what those kingdom ethics are and how we can become people whose lives are more closely aligned with God.
And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
-Pastor Jane
January 22
In 2014, a new book by author David Platt was named a “Christian Retailing Best” award finalist. In this book, he offered the statement that millions of people around the world culturally think they are Christians yet biblically are not followers of Christ. This was a bold statement! How did he come to this conclusion?
His premise was that for years and years people have been told that becoming a follower of Jesus simply involves believing certain truths or saying certain words, and that as a result, churches are filled with people who believe they are Christians….but aren’t. According to Platt, “we want to be disciples as long as doing so doesn’t intrude on our lifestyles, preferences, comforts, and even religion.”
Needless to say, this book was met with both praise and scorn. This Sunday, we will continue in the series Gifts That Keep On Giving, by digging deeply into Jesus’ words, “follow me.” What do these words truly mean? If we can understand the answer to this question, we will learn what it means to truly live for Christ.
-Pastor Jane
January 15
We are nearing the end of our renovation process. For several months our contractors have been working hard to make the classrooms, offices, and back hallway functional and beautiful. When you have the opportunity to walk the back hall over the next few weeks you will see new flooring, new lights, new paint, walls and ceilings that have been repaired, updates in the baptistery, and so much more. With the completion of this renovation, Union has now renovated all of our building space over the past few years. About six years ago, you renovated the sanctuary and added much needed space with a new Fellowship Hall and Gathering Space. Just four years ago, we completely renovated the basement area into a beautiful youth and children’s space. And now, the oldest part of the building is “new” again.
I know you join me in expressing extraordinary gratitude to our Building Committee that has guided this process. Earl Elsner, Patti Clark, Susan Elsner, Joyce Beckwith, Julian Beckwith, Gary Wall, and Harry Maxey have worked tirelessly making this renovation a reality.
Now we need your help once again. This weekend, we will begin the process of moving everything back into the rooms. Over these past few months, items have been stored in the Fellowship Hall, side hallway, and basement. On Saturday, we will begin moving them back into the classrooms and offices. The most needed help will involve setting the rooms back up. If you are available for a little time, please come and help. We will begin this Saturday morning, around 9:30, and will work until we are done.
Thank you to all who have had a part in this exciting, much-needed project.
-Pastor Jane
January 8
As we continue in our sermon series on Gifts That Keep on Giving, we move this week to the story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3. This Sunday is Baptism of the Lord Sunday, another special day in the liturgical year where we remember an important milestone.
Do you remember your own baptism? What images come to mind as you reflect on its importance in your life. Some of the most important gifts that can emerge from your own baptism is the knowledge of God who loves and forgives more than you can imagine, and the support of a committed community of believers – Christ’s family. No Christian community is perfect, but this loving community becomes a family; a family who brings food – food that does more than just feed you, but also can soothe a hunger in your soul; a family who is there to pray for you, to answer those deep questions that are hard to speak aloud.
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we will remember the commitment that people of faith have to members of the community. We will remember that we are called to care for and love all people.
-Pastor Jane
December 18
One week from today is Christmas Day. We have walked through this Advent season with intention – learning from each of the gospel writers as they answer the question, “Where does the good news, the gospel, begin?” This Sunday, Christmas Sunday, we will turn to John. What does his gospel home look like? What does he have to tell us about the Messiah?
John’s gospel begins with the same words used in Genesis. “In the beginning….” How can the birth of this tiny baby create a new beginning?” I hope you will join us on Sunday as we explore this question together.
And then, we will joyfully gather on Christmas Eve at 5:00 for our Candlelight service. This night we will make one last stop at one more home. Whose home might that be? I look forward to sharing this good news together.
Pastor Jane
December 11
This past Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent, was filled with the sounds of music. Christmas Alleluia, shared by the Praise Band is always a Union favorite and watching each of you as you listened to the words of this beautiful song was such a blessing. Then, on Sunday night we had the privilege of hearing a lovely Christmas piano concert, given by three of our own – Gina McKinney, Patsy Orr, and Sharon Tatum. I am so grateful for the many hours of practice that these women put in to bring us such a special Advent gift.
This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we will again have the opportunity of experiencing special Christmas music, as we are led by our extraordinary choir. I know you are as grateful as I am for the leadership of JR Beckwith and the commitment of the choir members to lead us in worship every Sunday. I hope you are making plans to attend.
Each Sunday of Advent, in addition to the beautiful music we share, we light a candle - candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. May this poem by Howard Thurman encourage each of you to light your own candle this Advent season.
I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
Pastor Jane
December 4
Over the past few days you may have noticed an interesting phenomenon. The Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday following Thanksgiving had “nicknames.” Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday were so named to provide an extra emphasis on spending money, with amazing deals on consumer goods – in most cases an economic way to purchase items for Christmas presents.
But, Giving Tuesday, has an entirely different emphasis. Since 2012, Giving Tuesday has been a way for non-profits to raise additional funds, over and above, for the betterment of the people they serve. Called a Global Generosity Movement, you may have noticed hundreds of “helping” agencies asking for money on the one day. Personally, I saw requests from over 50 different organizations on Tuesday.
I would like to offer an opportunity for Union to have it’s own Giving Day – not a specific day, but a way to give “over and above” your regular giving. Because of the consistent generosity of our congregation, we have been able to step out in faith and take on new ministries. Anytime there is a need, Union gives. Most of you know that we are in the midst of the final renovation project to make our church complete. We are renovating the back hallway – where our offices, library, and children’s rooms are located. This renovation will make it a more welcoming place for all of us.
So, on our unofficial Giving Day – would you consider giving either a one time, extra gift for the building fund, or if you are unable to make a one time, larger gift, would you make a pledge for extra monthly giving this next year? It is the hope of our leadership that we will come out of this project with very little debt. Our extra giving can make this a possibility.
Please pray about your part in this endeavor and we will keep you posted as we move forward. Thank you, Union Family.
Pastor Jane
November 27
This Sunday is a day of new beginnings as we begin the season of Advent and a new church year with the Sunday of HOPE. I want to encourage you to be a part of all the times for worship, fellowship, and mission experiences that are available during this season. This Sunday will offer two opportunities – Sunday morning worship, where we will light the first Advent candle, and Sunday evening Hanging of the Greens service, which will begin at 5:00. We will meet in the sanctuary to learn about all the symbols of the season, led by our children and youth. Following worship, we will have Cocoa and Cookies, along with a visit by Santa Claus in the Gathering Space.
We will also have available to all the children and youth a new offering from Illustrated Ministry – a nativity sticker set with a manger background. Pick one up for your child, grandchild, neighbor children, and anyone else who might benefit from this unique way of telling the Christmas story.
As I mentioned Sunday night at our Thanksgiving Family Meal, I want to encourage you to take a walk down the side hallway off the ramp door. For many, you never travel this way, and it is especially difficult during renovation. But, take a moment and walk the hallway. Hanging on the walls are beautiful posters, created by our church ministry assistant, Nickie Pearson. She does new posters each month and JR prints them for us. On these posters you will see all the offerings for this Advent season. Come and experience Advent with your Union family.
Pastor Jane
November 20
Monday Morning
Things are busy around the “church house” this morning. The sounds of volunteers moving all of the items out of the back hallway are ringing in the air. Others are getting turkeys in order for Thanksgiving Boxes that will be given out on Friday and for our Thanksgiving Family Meal on Sunday. Downstairs I can hear contractors finishing up the new bathroom – fully designed for our Family Promise families.
Just yesterday, we were bustling with sounds of food boxes arriving, the voices of children and youth learning about Jesus, the beautiful sounds of three of our women rehearsing for a piano concert occurring during Advent, the moving of tables and packing of boxes, church members taking names for Secret Santa gifts for children at one of our schools, and writing words of thanks on fall leaves, and finally….bringing Christmas decorations from the attic.
All of these are sounds of a vital church – one who cares for its people, cares for the community, and loves God. During this Thanksgiving season I am especially grateful for all of you and the ministry that comes from this building. A building that is being renovated and a building that holds God’s beloved. Thanks be to God.
Pastor Jane
November 13
The picture your see accompanying my article this week is one of the beautiful Gingko trees from the front of the church. Two trees, located on either side of our church sign, anchor our church building. While we always notice them, the bright yellow color found during fall seems to bring a beauty to them that is unmatched.
What is it about the colors of fall that call out to us? Each year millions of people take pilgrimages to view the fall colors. Have you ever wondered what it is that draws us to these colors and these trees? These words below are a description from SALT – an online commentary series.
“Many leaves contain yellow and orange pigments all year round, but in the spring and summer they’re masked by the vivid greens of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis. But as the days shorten and the temperature falls, the chlorophyll breaks down and drains away - and those yellows and oranges begin to shine through. They were there all along, quiet and unnoticed, but now they emerge as the green curtain fades. If God is a painter of autumn trees, what we see is an art not of addition but of subtraction. It’s an art of revelation, of revealing the hidden beauty of what was always already there.”
This week, the sermon is based on Isaiah 65:17-25 and will focus on how we can take our faith public. Just like God does with the leaves, we can reveal the beauty of our faith – a faith that is not hidden, but visible. A faith that is already there. Remember, those oranges and golds arrive by way of revelation, disclosing what’s been there all along. A sermon in pigment and light, shimmering for all who have eyes to see.
Pastor Jane
November 6
There is a beautiful children’s book called The Shaking Bag, which tells the story of an old woman who lives in her run-down house with only her dog, Effie Lucille. Miss Annie Mae never lets the birds in her yard go hungry, even if it means giving up her last crust of bread. One day, five ravens arrive and receive the last few seeds from her feeding bag.
Later that same day, a young traveler named Raven Reed shows up at her home seeking food and shelter. Being the unselfish woman that she is, she offers him the last of her food.
Suddenly, he pulls out a feed bag from his belongings. He hands the bag to her and says, "Shake it up! Shake it up! All around!" With this chant in her ears, she repeats it as she shakes the bag. Suddenly, from the bag appears firewood, food, a bigger table, and two extra chairs. The next morning, he leaves the bag and tells her that if she ever finds herself without food, to shake the bag and she'll never be hungry again.
This Sunday we will talk about giving. What Disciples Do - Disciples Practice Generosity. I hope you can join us as we learn to live as the woman with The Shaking Bag did – giving our all – knowing that God will provide all we need.
Pastor Jane