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Healing Sounds |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 3/15/2010 8:08 AM | Greetings on this beautiful day,
(You may be wondering why the Midweek Missive is coming a day early this week…it is because tomorrow I will be at an all day workshop called “Stewardship in the 21st Century: A Day of Theological Discussion” and so not around to send this out! Also, since Wednesday is our office manager’s day off, the office will be closed. If you need to leave a message please do so and I’ll get back with you as soon as possible.)
This past Sunday I was so moved by the service of healing led by Rev. Linda Whitmire. It was a reminder that we all have wounds that need healing and an even bigger reminder that through our relationship with God as revealed in Jesus Christ, healing is available to us. It is not always easy, but when we open up and try and turn our grief and pain over to God, the healing process can begin. Thanks to Rev. Whitmire and to Rev. Carol Mallon, who brought the stirring story of the cup that was not designed to hold liquid, yet had been used as the communion cup at Scottish Rite hospital for over 10 years.
After the service I was treated to another scene of healing that moved me just as much, but in a different way.
The first thing I saw in the hall after worship was Aiden Kinney, happily crawling on the floor, stopping to look up at whatever adult was near, and rewarding each of us with a happy smile and almost formed words. As I looked up, I heard the squeals of two other children, Robin Atkinson and Sarah Heinz. They were chasing each other wildly up and down the hall – ducking in and out of doorways, hiding behind loose wall hangings, stopping long enough to hold hands and dance as only children can do, and then, suddenly bolting down the hall, one chasing the other, then reversing their chase. All the wild, their laughter and their squeals happily punctuating the air.
In that moment, with Sarah and Robin happily bouncing off walls and Aiden babbling to no one in particular, smiling and taking it all in, Mike McLaughlin said to me, “Now there – that’s church.” And he was right. If we come to this place for comfort and for healing, what better healing sound is there than the laughter of children? If we come to celebrate life, what better way than down on the floor with a child working toward his first steps in the world? And if we come for peace, what more peaceful feeling could there be than when we have a child smile and reach for us?
It was a day of celebration and healing – a day that I will not soon forget. Thanks again Linda for reminding us of where healing comes from, and thanks Aiden, Robin and Sarah, for reminding us that life is to be lived joyfully and loudly!
For an update prayer list and a list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer lists:
Letha Morris, convalescing at Gwinnett Extended Care at 650 Professional Dr., Lawrenceville, GA – please note this corrected address
Zeb Morgan, in ICU at Emory University following a heart stint placement. He is doing well, but asks for no visitors at this time.
Anne Elkins, recuperating at home.
Martha Low, recuperating at home following hip replacement surgery.
Upcoming Activities
The Brown Bag Bible Study continues on Thursdays at noon. Even if you haven’t come yet, there is much to be gained by coming when you can. Bring a lunch and join us.
The Pastors Baptism Class begins this Sunday at 9:45…if you or your child is interested in learning more about Baptism, Communion and Church membership, please come to Rev. Jennifer’s office this Sunday.
If you are relatively new to the church and haven’t yet found a Sunday School home, please come to my office this week at 9:45 where a new class if forming. Contact Debbie Kinney for more information about this class as the members chart their new course.
Don’t forget the work day/church beautification day on Saturday March 20th. Help us prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter by beautifying our grounds. And don’t forget the “pre-work day” on Friday March 19th to prepare for the 20th! Contact Daonne Caldwell for more information
The next Congregational Fellowship Pot Luck Luncheon will take place after worship on Sunday March 21st. Bring a dish or two and meet some new folks and catch up with some old friends.
And don’t forget the many activities of Holy Week:
o Sunday March 28th: Palm Sunday Celebration during morning worship at 11:00 a.m.
o Thursday April 1st: Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m.…join us for a service of “Reconciliation and Remembrance” where we move toward the end of our Lenten Journey and move into our Easter Vigil. This service of prayer and story and silence will remind us once again of what happened on that awful Thursday and Friday of some 2000 years ago and point us toward welcoming the new life that is Easter.
o Friday April 2nd: Good Friday Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary from noon to 3:00. Come and take time to pray for ourselves, our church, our world as we mark the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha.
o Sunday April 4th: Don’t forget your fresh flowers to decorate the cross on our front lawn!
§ Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the Brookhaven Christian Ministries at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church at 7:00 a.m.
§ Easter Pot Luck Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. – watch for more details.
§ Sunday School for All Ages – 9:45 a.m.
§ Easter Worship - 11;00 a.m.
§ Easter Egg Hunt following worship
I hope you can make it worship this Sunday, either here at BCC or somewhere, so that you might celebrate the Lord’s Day once again. Our scripture for this Sunday is Joshua 5:9-12 and the sermon is titled “Home Again for the First Time.” Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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