On my desk, I have a tray with 3 small candles nestled among small pebbles. On dreary days, it reminds me of light – light in the darkness – to be a light to others. Next to it, I have 2 ceramic bunnies with a circle of twine around them – reminding me of love – to love others as God loves me – to love my neighbor, even though he rakes his leaves to our side of the fence – to love even those who I may not consider showing love. Love and light. Where do you find it? How do you express it?

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 10/29/23-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TU2mHEGjohD-FQQLeF57CADQ2lFgKQHV/view?usp=drive_web

When I was a kid, I loved to rake leaves and then jump in them! I would rake them into a pile again, and do it all over again! Did you? Those were a few of the best memories of the fall season. While I no longer jump into a pile of leaves. being in the 6th decade of my life, I still do enjoy raking leaves. I do not ‘catch’ every leaf in the rake, but I still manage well enough.

As the landscape becomes more brilliant – it wont last much longer – find something you love to do on a beautiful fall day – and enjoy!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – Worship audio 10/22/23 – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050948AFAC2DAAF58-acolyte#/

I would imagine there isn’t a church anywhere today that did not pray for peace. In confirmation class, students prayed for peace and came up with songs about peace and sang a few. Some of their repertoire included: Peace Like a River, Peace in the Valley, Imagine, Give Peace a Chance, & Give Peace a Chance.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship audio 10/15 – –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bEy83PUlUlkF8Gx1-eqnGSdvo5eCAstJ/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=652c06ba&exids=71471483,71471477

Sometimes, you really need to look around. This red beauty was in the midst of swirling leaves, tumbling across the lawn? Isn’t it lovely?

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship audio 10/8 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17GD91xx5oZIrgPH5uIUYPRDTA6pVtlwn/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=6522ca7c&exids=71471483,71471477

For those of you who have been diagnosed with non-anterior optic neuropathy, as myself, likely prefer the and clouds of last week to the beauty and brightness of today! Oh, I love all the sunshine! Especially in fall, where the day begins cool and the sun warms us in the afternoon.

But it is shaky ground if you have this diagnosis. Taking a walk, for instance. Last week was easier to walk outdoors than today. Too much light today, even with dark glasses and a white cane. It is a depth perception thing. It is a lack of clear vision thing. While more challenging, it was still nice to be able to get outdoors and enjoy it. Hope you did, too.

St. UCC, Bethlehem worship service 10/1 –

 audio1431407256.m4a

 video1431407256.mp4

We would have preferred an easier transition from summer into fall, other than Storm Ophelia pelting the East Coast with wind and rain. Bringing with her cooler temps and disappointment. We would rather have been sipping on a Pumpkin Spice Latte, having a family photo take in the Pumpkin Patch for the annual Christmas card, and sitting by the firepit late in the day wearing the hoodie just for cooler weather.

As Oscar Wilde put it: And all at once, summer collapsed into fall. That says it just right.

This morning when I was sitting on the patio, I noticed how considerably chillier it was compared to other mornings this past week. In those moments, I felt – yes, actually felt – summer slipping away into fall. In the early dawn hours, I could see leaves already scattered across the lawn. In a few days, we will usher in a new season – one that typically brings with it a kaleidoscope of colors, pumpkins, hot chocolate, football, socks, and sweaters.

This seasonal transition reminds me of how important all seasons are; that there is something special about each one (yes, even winter); and how we should welcome each one with every part of ourselves. If you are not a big fan of fall or find it difficult to let go of the summer, try to find one thing in the midst of the season that you enjoy. For me, while I enjoy summer and all the warmth and sunshine it brings, I look forward to the cool and crisp air of autumn which seems inspire more energy. By the way, the beach is still a lovely place to be in the fall, too!

But for now, enjoy these last days of the summer season and count your blessings!

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship service Sept. 17 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a9F_INI5fz9tu8SI2Yv1BRLwAwiFf9-o/view?ts=6507202b

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18JQ6goeen17Ilbf239WiQn9ReDZXLEIz/view?ts=65072041

It is true, you know. It’s the little things that matter most in our lives. A kiss, a smile, a hug, a card, a kind word, a simple gesture of loving kindness, flowers clutched in the hand of a small child, paying forward in the grocery store. A little goes a long way. A little warms the heart. A little soothes the soul. A little offers hope. Oh, there is nothing wrong with the bigger things in our lives: a car, a promotion, a degree, a house. But those little things from the heart, threaded together, create a full and happy life.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem – worship service Sept. 10 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cQ3o0e1m6pNU6I1CN7YxKB6TCjm8onSY/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=64fde2e7

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EmY_3mM8NuvaX1kPh7p5lrwENm6gF9VH/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=64fdeee4

There was an episode of Leave It to Beaver that aired on Oct. 1,1960 where Beaver refused to eat his brussels sprouts for dinner. He detested them. He would not even try one; instead, as soon as no one was watching, he started to shove them in his shirt pocket,

To be fair, Beaver, a few days later, tried them and liked them. How many times do we detest something or someone without giving the something or a person a chance? We might do well to reconsider our behavior. Maybe that person who you detested is now your best friend. Or the job you detested is now a career. All because you gave that person and job a chance.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem Worship Service 9/3 –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12vmuZFAmxT4WbG-KnikWLW2fjcVgaY2J/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=64f4a467

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n0R5rFDve690t_O_TOq7-qh0GkKZfhIk/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=64f4a456

I was thinking about steps. How wonderful they are; how daunting they can be. Our youngest grandson just started to take his first steps. This is so exciting! Hundreds of children will be tasking their first steps to pre-school, kindergarten, middle school, high school or college soon. Hundreds of people take first steps every day: new jobs, new houses, new cars, new relationships. The first step in healing grief. The first step to mend a broken heart.

There are different kinds of steps. The kind of steps taken in a marching band – one, two, one two… Or the kind of steps in buildings and outside of buildings, including our own homes. For people with vision loss, steps can be quite a challenge. It is a safety issue, really. Even painting the edge of a step with a bright color or using a strip of duct tape in a bright color, is a big help for outdoor steps. Consider doing something in your home, too, to highlight the edge of steps, like using a strip of carpet molding perhaps. If possible, add a railing ir too, as well. Vision loss is not just for older adults, but for some of our younger people, too.

Take a look around your home, where you work or attend church where there are steps. Maybe you can initiate a change to make steps more safe for those with vision loss.

St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem worship service 8/27 –

Unfortunately, no audio or visual of the service is available today.