I thought I was looking at a rather large white cat waddling across our lawn. Then the cat stopped to rest, I suppose, so I began to walk closer to it, to see if there was a collar; thinking it might be someone’s pet. I soon realized this was not a white cat with the possibility it could be someone’s beloved pet: it turns out, it was a skunk. I took another path.

Isn’t that what happens occasionally to us? We think we are certain we know something to be true, correct, right – but then we discover it isn’t. We may take a second look, even a third look, at the situation and realize we took a wrong turn, we had misunderstood or made an incorrect/too quick judgement. We can take another path, too.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem Worship Audio 3/23/25:https://drive.google.com/file/d/13xJIadBkp_jlvev23htQRJK1rL1S5wpl/view?ts=67e02ba1

The month of March keeps marching forward, with the snowboarding and skiing season coming to a close in northeast PA; with St. Patrick’s Day parades and events happening this weekend, tomorrow, and in some instances, into the week; with temperatures warming up, gentle rain falling, and the still-empty branches blowing in the wind. All these things are preparing us for a new season – Spring – which arrives on Thursday. Make room for new things: green grass and flowers waking up from a long winter sleep, birds singing n the pear tree outside your window, cleaning up and cleaning out our closets and garages…for Christians, what this time of transitions means to us, is preparing our hearts and minds for our journey to the cross, which will include celebrating and singing and cleaning, too. Spring. New life. Love it.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem Worship Audio 3.16

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MtRink3pIqP2eE9LhyKuYrKEWL10MvaE/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=67d6f3aa

I received a card with two Adirondack chairs facing the ocean just as the sun is setting. That photo found a home on my desk. Those empty chairs are waiting for occupants. I am putting up my hand. Nope. I am raising my hand and waving it all around. Nope. I am standing up and jumping up and down and waving my arms wildly – I am on my way! I would love to sit on a chair on the beach and listen to the ocean – especially now with waking up to a wind chill of 11 this morning! But Spring is still 18 days away and summer even longer. I can wait! It will be worth it!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 3.2.25 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ymeQau-gGF2Piu9R_OiF_i5zNFZTNdL/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=67c48c61

Not thinking of anything in particular, I was enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face this afternoon, when these words from Robert Frost streamed through my mind: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” Now, I have much respect for Robert Frost and his work, and though I was only 8-years-old when he passed away, I have read all of his work several times. I laughed a little about the quote. So true, isn’t it? No matter what happens in our lives, life goes on. No matter who we hugged good-bye this morning, no matter who sits next to us in class, no matter where we work, or who we know: life goes on. Sometimes, because of a loss or trauma in our lives, we think our life cannot go on; yet it does, though not exactly in the same way. Life goes on in old ways, new ways, adventurous ways, and many new-found ways…but on it goes, is the lesson according to Frost. How does it go on for you?

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio February 23 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OxclTYB0UgSE6hIrgCW7aPT63iyGhZwF/view?ts=67bb4e37

We like to read about oddness and weirdness, like those cartoons illustrated by Robert Ripley, for example, who composed drawings of odd facts. Ripley’s work was published in newspapers and books and is on display in museums around the world. Have you ever heard of the telegraph plant of Asia? This plant is said to have leaves that flutter constantly, even without a breeze!  This was one of Ripley’s illustrations. Hard to believe, right? Really? Even without a breeze?

With respect to Ripley’s work, let’s put that aside for a moment, and ask ourselves: What do we believe? Do we believe the meteorologist each time they predict snow or a hurricane?  Do we believe Punxsutawney Phil really sees or not sees his shadow? Do we believe in God? Do we believe in God even when something bad happens in our lives? Do we believe in true love? Do we believe in world peace? We can did deeper with these questions, of course, philosophically and theologically; but just for today, consider what do you believe in – or not?

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 2.16.25 –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CEQ_Ogj7x_ixdAYMKZvHezeVQ4g4fIVJ/view?ts=67b21224

Bird Flu, jet crashes, Beyonce newsbreak, Superbowl 2025 hype, Phil declares today more winter ahead (which I think we already know)…and much, much more. We are only 33 days into the new year! The world turns with its celebrations and its sorrows this year just as it did hundreds of years past and will for hundreds of years ahead. There is much we cannot control – Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose; sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry; sometimes all is well, sometimes not so much.  What we can control are our responses and reactions. They should always be filled with compassion and empathy. I think you would agree.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 2/2/25 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JkAUNL3w9ZxIis_uIV9nPLUUh1lJkpCE/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=679fa31d

As I stepped out the front door this morning, I drew my coat tighter to fight off the winter chill. On my way to church, I was thinking about this winter season we are currently experiencing and how it is a time to “hibernate” or just “chill.” It is a season of rest; a time to renew our strength.

We may still have resolutions to fulfill or a list of “to-dos” waiting for us next to our cup of hot chocolate, but they will keep. Do not feel bad about letting them where they are. Once our spirits are renewed and our strength restored, we will be ready again to go! Enjoy the quiet of winter, friends.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 012625 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tYnAnQdyug428HMESdnHYxKgGoWDRPTb/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=67966594

Winter – a eason of ‘w’ words: wonderful, white, waiting, watchful time. Wonderful because it gives us the opportunity to inhale cold, fresh air! White because of the snow, of course! Creating forts and snow people, skiing and sledding, ice skating and well, just having outdoor fun in the snow! A season of waiting because we wait in line in the grocery store as ‘weather alerts’ break across our iPhones; or waiting for the ‘big snow’ to start. Watching, because as the snow falls, we watch from our windows, the snow piling up and the beauty it creates; how the snow clings to familiar places on our fences and rooftops, birdbaths and statues. Winter is an unfavorable season to many, but admittedly, when the browns and grays of the season are covered by snow, it transforms into a season of beauty right before our eyes. Wow! Winter! Whether you are cuddle up with your beloved, go for a walk, watch football with friends (Go, Eagles!), stay cozy with a cup of hot chocolate and a book..enjoy winter today.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – There is no worship audio available for today.

You may know family and friends who were in the midst of the horrific wildfires in California that ravaged their homes. Our deep prayers are with them, as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives. Their heartache is real and painful. The Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, in a Wildfire Appeal, is offering two links to donate, should you wish to do so:

• We invite you to support the UCC’s recovery efforts by donating to the UCC’s California Wildfires 2025 Appeal: https://support.ucc.org/california-wildfires-2025 
• World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/relief/california-fires-jan25

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio Jan. 12, 2025 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V8WGVVxpjer7AhmtZFko9ipGXgFsvrUb/view?ts=6783f008

Light. Light. Light. I love the light. I love to be the light (to be light is to shine your light by being kind, respectful, & caring). But with certain vision losses, like mine, light is not a friend. It impedes contrast, that is, the light blurs outlines of everything from people to furniture to sidewalks. While I do wear indoor dark glasses to help, the abundance of the light is a challenge to navigate. I work to try to find new ways to be able to handle this light situation. My point: If you find yourself in a challenging situation, don’t give up. There is a solution for you. Sometimes we have to patiently peer through the light to see it!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem Worship Audio 010525 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ziyXsHpSH86nYm8YSmKnvp_hnXX4cDZf/view?ts=677abdee