Gratitude and Generosity

April 18, 2020

Good afternoon,

1. Check out Poole Mennonite's new Facebook page.

2. For tomorrow's sermon there is a painting ( 1602 ) from Caravaggio about Thomas touching Jesus' side. It is on the Facebook page.

3. Remember to continue to offer your tithes and offerings to the Church, by check  to Box 249 , Milverton,  N0K 1M0, or through e-transfer. Talk to Karen Scheerer.

" So again Jesus said to them , ' Very truly I tell you , I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits ; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved , and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. '"  John 10: 7-10  ( Revised Standard Version )

Sometimes the word abundantly ( in this passage ) is interpreted for the next life. But, I believe, it is for today and for us in this world. During this time of The Virus, it is more difficult to find things that we find abundant in our life . There is a danger to have all of our blessings being overtaken by the fear of getting the virus. We must live in an abundance of gratitude for our life. It is not to bury the difficult times that we are living in, but it is to focus on generosity and gratitude of God and our community.

And, we are blessed:

1.  We can self-isolate. We have enough room to do it.

2.  We have friends/family/church that we can reach out to during these days.

3.  We have enough food.

4.   If we are able, we can go outside and remain six feet from others.

5.   We live in Canada.

6.   We have universal health care.

7.   We can reach out to God in our prayers, and get angry, be silent, be emotional and thank God , for everything, at all times.

What other areas of gratitude are you thanking God for today ? What are you appreciative for in your life these days ?

Prayer for the Pandemic — by Carol Penner  

( only a few portions of the prayer )

This week, when we are tempted

to dwell only on our own loneliness

help us to reach out  to others ,

being the community we long to have.

Thank you for showing us new ways to be the church,

the church alive, vibrant and witnessing to the risen Christ

in times like these .

Amen.

Fred

.

Tread on bold new paths !

Fireflies flash the direction

"Hope springs eternal" .

                              Monika Pieper Landoni 2020

Fred Redekop

Pastor

Poole Mennonite Church