Dear Friends,
On Valentine’s night a group from our church met at the Tap House. We shared some food, listened to music and yes, there was a dance or two. It was a wonderfully eclectic group, married, single, divorced, widowed, all the ways we celebrate love in our church community. “What a fellowship; what a joy divine.”
This Friday we kicked off the Fish Fry extravaganzas. Folks from all over the metro area came to our church for the warmest welcome and the best fish in town. The money raised from these events helps send our children to choir camp and there are lots of young faces bussing tables and delivering condiments at these dinners. In the sanctuary this week, our very own Leonard Benyas provided wonderful piano entertainment. “What a fellowship; what a joy divine.”
You probably recognize those two phrases from the song and most of you are ready with the next line. “Leaning on the everlasting arms.” I have come to believe that when we embrace each other in love we are indeed “Leaning on the everlasting arms.” We know the embrace of our God through the loving arms of those around us.
We heard that song, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, as we celebrated the life of Dick Bryan Saturday morning. Dick Bryan was one of the most joyful and loving people I have ever met. This week his wife, Judy and his sister Ginny and I gathered in my office. We stood in a small circle, holding hands, praying and literally leaning on each other. “What a fellowship; what a joy divine. Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
This weekend, we finish off our series on Modern Love. It’s a BIG finish… (who said “Go big or go home?”) We’re talking about Big Love, Agape Love… that unconditional, expansive love that God has for each of us and that Jesus calls us to share in this world.
