11/15/20

Sermon Notes:

We will not read 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-10 in the service this week, though it is a lectionary offering for Sunday. It’s a beautiful and encouraging passage; I hope you will take a look at it.  “…put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is so much uncertain, ambiguous, fearful and conflicting in our lives today, in our world, our nation, and even in our hearts. My prayer is that we take these words from 1 Thessalonians to heart and cover ourselves in faith and love and hope, that we encourage one another, and open our hearts to receive encouragement. This can be easier said than done in times like these.

I pray we all practice approaching problems with a light touch, practice speaking to God about what bothers us and practice looking for ways that we can actually experience the relief of giving our problems to God to work on, as we clothe ourselves in love and wait in strength for direction, and for the signs of healing and restoration.

Hopefully these times of trouble will soon pass, and peace and health will soon prevail. More than this though, may we take deep into our hearts the truth that we will always have times of trouble in this life and, more importantly, we will always have God with us, helping us handle what we encounter. May we take refuge in the light of Christ and the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit in all these things.

See you Sunday –

Jane