I will be away next week--Chris and I will be in Mexico for a week at the beach.

The. Rev. Dr. Billie Beverly will be preaching next Sunday morning 6/26..

Continue to keep our church family in your prayers.



In the Celtic prayer tradition, from a version of "I Arise Today" comes a blessing/petition I find meanignful.

May it bless you as well as you begin your days.



May the whisper
of the Father
be the one that wakens you;
the open hand
of the Son
be the one that raises you;
the prompting
of the Spirit
be the one that sends you,
this morning
and all mornings,
and leads you safely home.

Pastor Bill

I came across this piece and found it thought provoking-the last sentence in particular. What do you think?



Pivotal Moments
When I reflect back on my life so far, many of the most pivotal moments have occurred around tabernacle-like events: a surprising conversation that changed the course of my life, a chance encounter with a person who would became a lifelong friend, or a memorable moment when my imagination was stirred by a divine whisper that would sustain me through dark times ahead.

It's no accident that these...experiences so often occur when we are far from home and in the company of strangers. We are generally more open to the movement of the Spirit when we are uncertain of our place.

Mark Scandrette


Peace

Pastor Billl

Friends,

The Wednesday morning Bible study is beginning a study in Proverbs. One might call this collection of wisdom sayings:

"Heavenly Horse-Sense". A key verse of the book is 1:6: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." One might also look at 3:5-8.



The "fear of the Lord" means real fear, real dread but it is broader than a cowering fear. The word communicates more the sense of "awe, reverence, obedience," etc. It is, in my mind, akin to the sign that hangs on transformer station fences: "Danger! High Voltage!" The electrical power can be beneficial for living but without proper respect for its inherent power electricity can be harmful to life.



We live in the age of "Information Technology." It is said , "Information is power." But is it wisdom? To spur your thinking read this poem by T.S. Eliot and let me know what you think. Is there an endless cycle of learning or is it one of "'un-learning'"? Are we just spinning our wheels, mistaking information and knowledge for wisdom? Do you see a difference between "knowledge" and "wisdom"? Where do you see our society mistaking "information" for wisdom"?



The endless cycleThe endless cycle of idea and action,

Endless invention, endless experiment,

Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;

Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;

Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.

All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,

All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,

But nearness to death no nearer to God.

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

The cycles of Heaven in twenty centuries

Bring us farther from God and nearer to dust.

T.S. Eliot



May the Lord bless you all.

Pastor Bill

For Sunday morning read Philippians 3:1-11; in the service we will dedicate church officers and chair people and we will break. around the Table of our Lord.
For your awareness: The phone system at church is experiencing problems that have negated the use of the phone tree; it will be a few days before repairs can be made. Please take this time to contact members and friends and let them know.
June begins our "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering. This is timely because this mission offering is used to assist folks who are affected by a variety of events, not least of which is weather related events. The American baptist Churches/USA have already released some funds for relief of the suffering caused by the tornado that came through Joplin, Missouri. The ABC/USA also assisted in Japan and other areas as need arises.
As a member congregation of the ABC/USA our love and compassion can be expanded through the shared ministry of all ABC congregations.
When burdens are shared they are reduced just as joy, when shared is multiplied. As the poet John Donne, wrote, "No man is an island..." We are all connected.
As we gather around the Lord's Table we are reminded there is one loaf and one cup. "Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the same loaf."
Peace

Pastor Bill