07/01/2019
People will gather in so many places around our country to recognize July 4th with celebration, good food and fireworks. In Scripture we are clearly reminded that it is important for us to have times of celebration and thankfulness. July 4th is specifically a celebration of thankfulness for USA yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I will probably ooohhhh and ahhhhhhhh on the lawn of the church with many others as a fabulous display of color is projected onto the night sky. While sitting there in the Heart of Carmel, we will be surrounded by many beautifully manmade structures which reminds me of the creative work of human hands. As we spread our blankets, or place our seats on the lawn, it is there that we may look down to our feet to be reminded of the earth and the handiwork of God’s hand of creation. I love that Carmel UMC, in the Heart of Carmel, has this large green space which is truly a reminder of God our Creator. The heart of everything is God. The heart and plan of God is to always be right in the center of who we are and what we do. That is the foundation and grounding of our past upon which God desires for us to build upon to His glory.
As we celebrate our blessings, let us also remember that God has blessed us to be a blessing to, and for, others. We may sit and enjoy the fireworks display in a community of many comforts but we are to do so with a heart and mindfulness of others who may not experience such comforts of life. So allow those beautiful lights in the sky to be a reminder that as persons and as a nation, we are to be a light unto the world.
Have a safe and blessed 4th of July wherever you will be. Blessings, Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
One Final Scene About Scrooge
There was one more scene in Dickens’s novel that reveals something of what has happened to Scrooge over the years. I did not have time to share it on Sunday, but I believe it reveals a great deal about the regrets in Scrooge’s life....
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.