Only God

Mark 10:23-27 "...........for a camel to go through the eye of a needle...."
When I was a girl, my mother used to do some sewing, and many times she would ask me, "Kay, your eyes are younger and stronger than mine. Will you thread this needle for me?"
I remember that I really wanted to help my mom, so I would try my best to do this. But it was not easy!
Well, I was remembering how difficult this job of threading a needle is as I read Jesus' teaching in Mark. He was talking about how difficult it will be for some people to go to heaven, and he said it will be even harder than it would be for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle!
Then the disciples began to say "Wait a minute. This is impossible. Does that mean no one can go to heaven?"
Then Jesus said what is most important of all. He said. "For people, this would be impossible. But for God, nothing is impossible."
The next time you hear people worrying about or arguing about who will get to go to heaven, remember what Jesus said. It is not up to us to decide.
God has sent Jesus to love us and to be our Savior. And that is the Good News!
Grace & Peace
Pastor Kay

A Prayer

Seems like so many are hurting these days. Literally hurting. So many illnesses in ourselves and those we love. Here is a Prayer that appeals to the humanity of Jesus.
O Christ, may our prayer help You remember what it is to be a human being. May we feel in our hearts the sympathizing Jesus.
Jesus, you walked this earth and you have not forgotten what it is to be tired, what it is to know aching muscles. After all you worked long hours at the carpenter's bench.
Jesus, you have not forgotten what it is to feel the sharp stabs of pain, or hunger, or thirst.
And precious Jesus, you know what it is to be forgotten, to be lonely.
Jesus, you remember the feel of hot and scalding tears running down your cheeks.
We thank You that You were willing to come to earth and share with us the weakness of the flesh, for now we know that you understand all that we are ever called upon to bear.
We know that You, our God, are still able to do more than we ask or expect. So bless us, each one, not according to what we deserve; but according to the riches in glory of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen
May this prayer bring you the blessings of peace,
Pastor Kay

Prayer for the week of 06-21-2009

Father in Heaven, we ask for your guidance as we seek through our efforts with youth to bring about the kind of church and society that are faithful to Christ's teachings..Amen

VBS

Ah! The first day of VBS! I was up early today-a little nervous about how today be. I didn't need to worry! There were 13 children and one little bitty baby attending. Seven adult helpers!
As of yesterday there were no cookies; but this morning 6 or 7 dozen had mysteriously appeared. Thank you, faithful people!
One little boy walked up to me and held up his badge and said "I am really the security person here." Uh.......OK.
One hour later he informed me that he was "Darth Vader".
I wonder how much of the Bible Story he will remember. It was a good Bible Story. The children walked 40 yrs across the desert to reach the Promised Land. We even had a sea that parted.
On Monday, I always wonder if the children will ever learn the new songs. By Thursday morning; they'll have them down pat. (Even if they don't; they look cute onstage)
VBS is just the greatest invention since sliced bread. I've done weddings in this church and people I've never seen before tell me, "I went to VBS here when I was a little kid."
They still feel a connection; this church is their church.
Praise God for VBS!
Pastor Kay

A Mustard Seed

The text from Mark 4:30-32 tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It grows and becomes the largest of all plants in the garden.
Who could have imagined that something so small could become something so large? Jesus.
This is good news for people who want to believe that something extraordinary can happen with their lives. The same God who gives growth to a tiny seed can accomplish the seemingly impossible in our lives. It is only a matter of trusting our lives to the master gardener.
Next week we will be planting seeds in the hearts and minds of children during VBS. Please pray for a bountiful harvest!
VBS is June 15-19; 10:30 AM to 12 noon.
Hannah Williams is at Westminster Woods all this week. Please keep her in your prayers as well.
Grace & Peace
Pastor Kay

Trinity Sunday

Lots of pastors dread Trinity Sunday! In fact I know several of them who schedule their vacation around it. I guess they think they have to explain the Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in 20 minutes or less.
Impossible!
St Augustine wrote 800 pages on the Trinity and he admitted he was still mystified by it!
The best explanation I ever heard was simply put.
The trinity is like a three-note chord. It is a beautiful sound when played or sung; but you can't hear one note without the other. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in complete, beautiful harmony to do the work of the Kingdom of God.
Grace & Peace
Pastor kay

Happy Birthday, Church!

Of all the Holy Days, Pentecost is my favorite. Many people wear red to church; the pulpit is draped in red; a celebration is in order! We celebrate God's gift of the Holy Spirit!
Our celebration is not triumphalistic.
The presence of the Holy Spirit doesn't deliver us from all our troubles.
And yet, the Holy Spirit serves as the power to hope, the courage to wait for the day when as adopted children we experience God's presence in redeemed bodies. Pentecost reminds us that our hope is not in vain. Thanks be to God for the Spirit of hope!