March 12, 2022

Did you know that tomorrow is the scariest day of the year for ministers?

Yep. It's Daylight-Saving Time—the one where we spring forward...the one where we lose an hour...the one where the bed, soft pillow, and warm covers feel really good and are hard to leave.

And then there's the people who just simply forget about the time change.

Back in the 1990's when I was leading the 9:30 a.m. service at Wesley Oak, the organist did not show up. He was our only musician, so like the Shakers, we sang everything a cappella. About halfway through the service, the organist came through the door, walked down the aisle, and asked why so many people had arrived early! Tomorrow is a scary day for ministers!

Try to be on time tomorrow! We have some wonderful things happing!!

The pandemic has been very stressful and challenging for everyone. In the wake of this stress, Mindful specialist, Vira Salzburn, has been teaching people in the City of Savannah how to be kind and compassionate to themselves. She will be doing the same for us at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning in our Social Hall. I believe that you will greatly benefit from this workshop.

By the way, Vira is from Ukraine, and her parents and many relatives still live there. Please keep her family in your prayers.

During tomorrow's service, we will be commissioning August Alderman, Mary Ann Barnes, Barbara Gooby, and Kimmi Sampieri as Stephen Ministers. I understand that in the 26 weeks of training not one session was missed by any of these participants. We thank them for their commitment, and we look forward to the many ways they will bless the members of our church as Stephen Ministers. We thank Rev. Claire Marich, Candace Jenkins, Sandra Kattz, Rhonda Reed, and Steve Reed for their leadership and for helping the dream of having a Stephen Ministry at Asbury become a reality. 

Last Sunday, my sermon focused on the Creation Story in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. This Sunday I will focus on the second Creation Story. It is in the second chapter of Genesis. This is the story about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

As I mentioned last Sunday, these stories are "divine myths" that may not have happened but are true. They offer us timeless insights and wisdom that can help us have good, meaningful lives. In fact, if human beings were able to embrace the truths of this second Creation Story, there would not be a war going on in Ukraine. In fact, we would be doing a good job of creating the Kingdom of God on earth.

I hope you will join us tomorrow as we call upon this ancient story to help us learn how to bring back the Garden of Eden.

Love and Blessings,
Billy