Category: Uncategorized

Time

How is it that this is the last week of October? The fall season is moving as fast as the wind these past few days. We may believe we have control of many things in our lives, but we have no control over time. It is always on the move. It never stands still. There. Are moments we experience where we may want time to stop, or at least linger. These special moments happen within our family circles, on our vacations, or in our personal situations. While we know those moments are specifically cherished to us, we also know they do not last forever. The best we can do is to make the most of the moment we are in right now, this very minute!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – Worship Audio 10.27.24 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aIohld5Uc-r_tGDy_eWG8zlxrXqbhPE9/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=671e6043

Football Fave

One of my favorite things to do in the fall was to play football. That’s right. I said ‘play’ not ‘watch’. On a Sunday afternoon, well after church and a sit-down-together family meal, the kids in the neighborhood would gather for a game of football – the tackling (the opponent), passing, kicking (field goals) kind of football …cheering for one another no matter which side of the ball we were standing. Those were the days. We laughed – and cried from laughing – and had fun. We were dirty, sweating or freezing depending on the fall weather, and sometimes slightly hurt. Come late afternoon, we all shook hands and headed to our homes. It was a simpler time, but a good time.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 102024:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R7yvt37TEKRqIPX4H601LhvyBdK0wQXx/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=671529cb

Storms

When I was a kid, I loved thunderstorms. I loved to see the lightning dance across the sky and then would wait for the clap of thunder to follow. I would count….one Mississippi, two Mississippi…At that age, I thought God had great power like a thunderstorm with the ability to offer us both light and darkness at the same time. There are many storms that occur throughout our lives: storms of illness, storms of anxiety, weather storms, spiritual storms, and political storms. I trust that God will offer us the light and strength need when the storms arrive.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 10/13/24 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M02ueL080ZJ38DENvONc7L8ll_MB0COt/view?ts=670bf0b3

In the moment

There is something to be said for being in the moment – living it – enjoying it. Not think about going to work on Monday or checking the kid’s schedules or making time to buy groceries. Just enjoy the space you are in. It is such a perfect fall afternoon for football, the pumpkin patch, a walk in the park, a community festival, sitting on the patio and watching the squirrels play…whatever your choice of activity, you will not be disappointed! We wish we could bottle the goodness and blessings of the day, save it until we need it for a cold, mid-winter afternoon. But let’s not wish the day away – just be.

Our apologies – there is no worship audion for St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem.

Ironing

In a conversation a few days ago, I happened to mention I had ironing to do. (It takes courage to say admit this!) The response was “What!!!!???!!!! You still iron? My goodness, why?” Yes, I still iron. Not every day, not always; but when the shirt, skirt, or blouse needs the warmth and steam of the iron to smooth out the wrinkles. It may sound a bit old-fashioned to some, I know. At least I gave up my wringer washer before now!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audion 9/29/24 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UnpN9gWbOIg9BhY4TkkvJCR610R7SjbV/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=66f974a0

Welcome, Fall!

Good-bye, Summer…Hello, Autumn! Does this change of season warm your heart? Are you someone who enjoys everything pumpkin? Maybe raking leaves is your thing. Perhaps you like to wear warm sweaters or cuddle with a fleece blanket and a cup of hot cocoa in near a fire.

Whatever your preference, the seasons will always come and go for us to enjoy. Summer will return, and remember, following Autumn, is the cold of winter!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem, worship audio 9/22/24 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EkIlTaJqWIFd4vLEwLNi7OrkGSLz81KD/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=66f0356c

Laughter

Growing up, I would read Reader’s Digest from cover to cover, with the exception of the column, Laughter is the Best Medicine. I would read that last. Why? Because it was my least favorite part of the publication. I felt it was a waste of time – laughing. Who had time for that?

Thankfully, through the years, I have grown out of that phase! I have discovered that laughter can be good medicine for the mind, body, and soul! It is also a growing edge for me in my ministry. (My congregation says I am a work in progress!)

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem- Worship Audio 91524 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYdDZ_wU90z5sLJKV4LfDwMmY9FfzA-o/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=66e6fda0

Skipping stones

When I was growing up, I went fishing in the Delaware with a homemade fishing pole, floated the river with a old tire tube, played running bases with the kids in the neighborhood, rode my bike everywhere, and skipped stones. Skipping stones started out as a competition with friends to see who could skip a stone more times than the rest of the group. Later in life, skipping stones was simply a calming activity whenever the opportunity arose. Sometimes I would be hiking and find some stones near a stream; soon I would be skipping stones. I did not count the number of times a stone skipped across the water, but simply watched the ripples of water widen then disappear. Not really exciting, is it? But it is quieting to me. Many times our lives experience calm but are then interrupted by stones (that something like illness, storms, finances, etc.). I am not sure why this memory popped up for me today. Maybe I am considering skipping stones!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 090824 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dOoiXmA8Z9apaTtcukHzcFSwSa4TN9Hd/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=66ddd21c

Be’s

Buzzzzzzzzzz….I could not see them, but I heard them! Then I moved across the yard…I listened…no more buzzzzzzzing! Evidently bees had formed a hive in the area of the yard where I was working. So glad I was not wearing headphones or earbuds!

But we are not bees but we can  can ‘be’, can’t we? Be We can be kind, be loving, be comforting, be caring, be respectful, be courteous, be mindful, be silent (when the situation arises), be happy, be blessed, be grateful, be humble, be grace-filled, be a bridge to peace…you can fill in  the blank for yourself.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 090124 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANDAmCYoloFcsmmSwE8No_TmiN8GLZW6/view?usp=sharing_eil&ts=66d48779