Seeking Hope in the Midst of Chaos | Jan 8
This week started out so hopeful as the Crises Management team gathered and discussed the vaccine and its potential to move us towards a safer environment as Tulsa County started inoculating those over 65 years of age. Our separation after the holidays has ended and Sunday we will be open for in-person adult Sunday school and in-person worship again. We continue to care for each other with our safety protocols while we gather. If you would like to sign up for an appointment to be vaccinated, you can click this link to access the health department. Our discipleship team has begun the conversations about what decisions and goals need to be met for us to move back a phase in our pandemic response. I ask you to pray with us as we explore the possibilities.
On Tuesday, I became aware of a young mother who needed a car after an auto-accident had left her unable to get to work. I know her through the thrift store at Living Water and she had attended our worship service. I figured that there just might be someone out there willing to help, and if I didn’t ask then I would never know. Not only did someone come through with a dependable car but I had two people contact me with vehicles. April, my music minister at Living Water, said her husband came home from work wanting to give a car away to a young man he knew. Cindy Kramer also left me a message that she had furniture to give away if I knew of a need. Kendra discovered that we had three families graduating from the Family Promise program and we were able to help furnish two of these apartments. (Kendra is looking for help to deliver the furniture this weekend if any of you would like to be a part of this blessing.) I went home with a smile on my face about what God’s people had done to significantly bless God’s beloved in need. What a day for ministry!
On Wednesday, my worship team starting talking about Ash Wednesday and Lent. Brainstorming can sometimes have crazy things and wonderful things bubble up. From Hannah’s “volcano of ash” to a drive-through service idea, it was fun to start looking ahead and think further than one month at a time. It felt rather normal- which is something rare indeed.
As you know, Wednesday turned into a disturbing day in history when the Capitol building was breached by an angry group of people. The business of our government was interrupted and buildings were evacuated and put on lockdown. One woman lost her life in the chaos. Our hearts break at what happened. Many people are angry and many feel vulnerable in a way they have never before. The finger-pointing has begun and the hurt is escalating. I can’t help thinking about my sermon last week. If you missed it, I hope you will go back and listen. I hope that we can be people who respond in the midst of uncertainty with our eyes on Jesus. I asked you to consider what your life, words, and deeds are pointing towards.
Here is the link to what our Bishop Jimmy Nunn had to say about the events of Jan. 6th. This Sunday, we will be exploring the wise men and their response to the new king. Tricia wrote a beautiful devotional about this event. The response was very different between the king and the wise men. There is so much in the world that we can not control but we can control how we respond to it. I invite you to respond with grace. I challenge you to live your life in a way that brings a calming presence to tension, voice to the discarded, and love to those you encounter. I am praying for us all.
Pastor Heather
