🌸 MAY 11, Mother’s Day 🌸 5 pm
This Sunday at 5 pm, Jazz @ Emmanuel explores injustice and suffering from the eyes of those in past generations, who were able, with wisdom, compassion, and joy, find a way to serve and celebrate each life in spite of the circumstances.
I hate being ill. I hate even being off. I hate it when my body is not 100% of what I am used to counting on. My mind goes to dark places of fear and anxiety and general lack of well being. I feel like my house is falling over a cliff, slowly, and surely. It seems that my sense of well-being is so tied to how my body feels each day that when I feel ilI in any way, my mind goes to dark places of fear, anxiety and general lack of well-being.
But when I feel good, all is right with the world and I am a well being! You know that feeling, I hope — that time when you are feeling great with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face and all is well with the world – even if it is not? Thank God for those times! They are real, but they aren’t the whole picture and were not meant to be. Life can be tough – for everyone and anyone. The history of the world shows that clearly. So much suffering – persecution, plagues, abuse, injustice, war, destruction, imprisonment, torture, and death. Horrible.
And yet…
I have always admired people who have obvious ailments, disabilities or challenges or injustices, yet somehow smile, even laugh, and can be light hearted, positive, and kind, and incredibly serve others! as if they feel great. How do they do it?? I have suffered relatively little comparatively. So those that have, have my complete respect, admiration and awe.
To be honest, so many of our mothers fall into that hero category. Many suffered hard times through war, financial crises, disease and deprivation, and made incredible sacrifices for their children. Many have smiled and loved and hoped, through it all to give us as much life as possible. We honor them today. May we tell their tales of old.
Do you know someone who suffers greatly from illness, abuse or isolation, and yet manages to approach the world from light heart and compassion for others? Have you ever wondered how they do it?
Is it Grace?
We also have a long history in the world and in the church of those who have suffered and lived to write about it and tell their story, or had someone else tell it. This is true from ages past. These are our heroes, our supporters, our cheerleaders. We desperately need their tales of old, their stories of courage, perseverance and hope.
There is a well-known Christian hymn about some of these folks. 1989 Hymnal, #712
🎵”I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew….
They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus’ will….”
The refrain wraps it all up with, “And I mean to be one too.”🎵
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
AND I MEAN TO BE ONE TOO!
Jazz @ Emmanuel
Jazz @ Emmanuel explores topics of the human condition at each service, often with humor, always with hope. Readings and jazz selections take us deeper and in directions we may not have gone otherwise.
Join us.
Always the 2nd Sunday at 5:00 pm, September through May
MOTHER’S DAY!
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Jazz @ Emmanuel is supported in part by WRCT 88.3 FM and jazz enthusiasts like you. Thank you.
