Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Greetings of peace to you!
A few weeks ago Jamie was watering our Community Garden when he heard some scratching sounds in the corner of the garden. Pretty sure it was our resident groundhog, Piglet, he lightly showered some water in the area to make her go away. But, he continued to hear the sounds and when he took a look as to where they were coming from, there was a different groundhog, much younger and smaller, wedged in the
chain link fence behind a board. He came inside and asked for my help to free her. As Jamie went to get wire cutters, I stayed with Tigger (we have since named the little one) talking to her, telling her it would be okay and we were going to help her. This poor little creature of God was so frightened and continued to struggle, trying to pull herself through the fence, but she just couldn’t do it. Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant. Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant — over and over. I kept reassuring Tigger that we would help her, until Jamie got there and gently clipped the fence around her body. One last snip, and away she went, tearing off toward the forest, free at last! As she ran away, we hoped she would be okay after such a terrifying ordeal.
Tigger: Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant, struggle, struggle
Me: It will be okay. Let us help you.
Us: Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant, struggle, struggle
God: It will be okay. Let me help you.
Us: Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant, struggle, struggle
God: Let ME help you.
Us: Stillness, okay. Then, freedom!
Unseen, you are fed by the Spirit,
sustained by an energy of love,
the power of a hope that is greater than you,
a heart who treasures you, who lifts you, who includes you,
who believes in you.
You are doing a hard thing.
But it is the Infinite One in you who is working the hardest.
Let yourself be carried. — Steve Garnaas-Holmes
I look forward to welcoming you to worship at 10:30 AM this Reformation/Reconciliation Sunday. Tom is back and will lead us in our hymns and sing the Anthem “A Place for You.” I am preaching from 1 Kings 5.1-5; 8.27-30, 41-43 — Solomon builds the temple — and my sermon title is A House of Prayer.
Since the fence incident, I’m happy to report that we have seen Tigger merrily munching on grass in the backyard and around the forest edge.
Struggle, struggle, rest, rest, pant, pant, struggle, struggle
Let God help you. Let yourself be carried. Then, freedom
With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish