Resurrection Bay Reflections

A Sermon on Hope
A sermon on Psalm 71:1-6, Romans 8:18-25, Luke 4:38-44
January 31, 2010
Seward and Moose Pass, Alaska

Listen to the sermon!

One of my favorite stories is about the old couple who had been together so long that they almost couldn’t remember a time when they weren’t a couple, intimately connected to one another’s lives.

A man was lying in a hospital bed facing life-threatening surgery.  His wife of 45 years sat alongside the bed.  He turned to her and said, “You know, Martha, I’ve been thinkin’” and she said, “Yes.”  You remember that first year we were married.  We had a bad crop and lost half the farm, and there you were, right by my side.”  And she said, “Yes.”  Then he said, “That second year, we had another bad crop and we lost the other half of the farm.  And there you were, Martha, right by side.”  And she said, “Yes.”  He said, “Then we started five businesses and all five of them failed, and through it all, Martha, you were right there beside me.”  She agreed, “Yes.”  “And then,” he said, “we had ten kids and we wanted them all to go to college, but not one of them got a scholarship.  And there you were, by my side Martha.” And she said, “yes.”  He said, “Now, here I am in the hospital, and the doctors tell me there’s not much hope.  They don’t expect me to walk out alive.  And here you are again, right by my side.” And Martha said, “Yes.”  And the man said, “Martha, I’ve been thinkin’,…you’re bad luck.” More… »

My friend, Debbie A.,  in central Ohio just lost her beloved mother on Sunday,  She has lived and traveled with her mom, Lee, for many years and has spent the last years as her caregiver.   It’s a very poignant loss for her. Thank you for your prayers.

The One who knew us before we were born knows our secrets, knows our truths, knows our failings. The One who saw us in our mothers’ wombs sees into our hearts. The One who bends down to listen to our prayers will speak grace and hope to us.

God, we confess that our lives are not all that we have hoped they would be. We get so focused on ourselves that the needs of others go unrecognized. We spend so much energy getting ahead that we fail to realize we are going anywhere all that important. We get our priorities all mixed up all the time. Forgive us, Faithful God. Rescue us from ourselves. Touch us with the faith, the hope, and the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, so we might be made whole.

Those of you interested in singing in the massed church choirs for Easter Sunrise service, please check out the link to the left… Massed Choir News! Click there and you will find a schedule of rehearsals and digital recordings of the music and parts! Thanks, Sue!