Cultivate the sermon

March 18, 2019

So, ever have a day when you're just not on your game? Me too, this week it was yesterday which was a Sunday. Sigh. Since it's been bugging me I thought I'd share what I was trying to convey in the sermon/service on the blog.

For Lent we have embarked on a sermon series called God is on the Move. This series is inspired by A Preacher's Guide to Lectionary Sermon Series: Thematic Plans for years A, B, and C. It's been a useful tool, especially as I get back in the swing after maternity leave and sometimes it's good to try something different.

This past Sunday's sermon continued the message of God on the move with God moving past all obstacles. The lectionary scripture (the assigned text for the Sunday) was Luke 13: 31-35. It's a less familiar passage that talks about Herod and the city of Jerusalem (which represents the people of Israel) as obstacles as well as holding in tension that the people of Israel are both God's beloved and an obstacle to God. This passage describes God as a mother hen wanting to pull the people in and shelter us under her wings (Verse 34). While verse 32 and 33a reads:

Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way.

Despite the obstacle of Herod, Jesus states clearly his intent to proceed towards his purpose. Jesus has set his sights on Jerusalem and ultimately the cross. The call (or response)for us is,  What have we set our sights on? Are we working towards a (heavenly) goal during the 40 days of Lent? What obstacles to do we need to name and address? 

May we have a better week! 

#WINNing with you

Pastor Meg


PS. This image was on the cover of the bulletin. It is a mosaic from a church in Jerusalem Dominus Flevit. This image is inspired by Luke 13:34 when Jesus describes God as a hen wanting to protect the people. I visited this church in 2016 with the Bishop's trip to the Holy Land. I was supposed to explain this in my sermon, but well...we all have days when it just doesn't go the way we planned. 

Cultivate something new

February 19, 2019

It's been a very busy season, but we have much to celebrate. James Tiberius Cook made his long awaited arrival on January 12th at 5:40pm weighing 8.7lbs and 21.5 inches long. It was a long birth but we are so in love. I'm forgetting the less fun details of that day. It's hard to believe our baby is 5 weeks old. Jimmy T is a good baby. A few highlights, he's been to 2 church services (one of which he ripped a huge adult size burp in the middle of the sermon), 1 funeral (John's Aunt Sallie), several restaurants, Sam's, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Kroger and lots of doctor's appointments. He's growing, happy and healthy. His parents are happy too if somewhat tired! I head back to work March 3rd and Jimmy T will be baptized March 10th. Much to look forward to!

Update on Dad...so my folks came to be with us for Jimmy's birth. They were staying with us at the parsonage. When Jimmy was 6 days old my father got very sick in the middle of the night. Mom took him to the local ER. Dad was transported to the city eventually through 2 hospitals and then was diagnosed with meningitis and an infection in his brain (at the previous surgery site). John, Jimmy T and I were under quarantine until it could be determined what time...a stressful adventure with a 6 day old. But we were very lucky that the type was not contagious AND Dad is okay. Dad had a 3rd brain surgery and lots of antibiotics. It's been "exciting," to cite the quote "I used to have tons of stress in my life, now I call it excitement and I feel better." We have had a lot of "excitement" around here. We have a blessing board in our kitchen; it took me a while to notice but my Mom wrote "Dad is Alive!" as one of our blessings this season. We rejoice my father is alive. Dad spent many days in the hospital here near us with a few medical "excitements" before he was transported back to my folk's home state to a rehab facility. He is home now and continuing his journey of healing. He has IV's at home that Mom is handling as well as visits from a home health nurse and several therapies which Mom takes him to. Dad has regained much of his movement, he can climb the stairs! Mom could use some prayers too, she has had pneumonia in the midst of Dad's sickness and her asthma is flaring up. See, much "excitement" in the Sweeney/Cook household.

Smaller genuine excitements here at home:

• Jimmy has started laughing and is truly a good baby. We rejoice in his life!
• John started back at USC (the Monday after JTC was born) and is having a great semester.
• Jimmy T got his very own library card AND participated in story hour at our local library.
  We pray he will have a lifelong love of reading and learning.
• Mommy packed up the maternity clothes, all but the maternity jeans. Also Marie Kondo'ed some of my other clothes...it's nice  to feel better organized. Thought I'd have time to get ahead on lots of projects and work...not so much BUT tackling a few dresser drawers feels significant. John and I have learned it's impossible to be productive (outside of keeping the tiny human alive) with a newborn.
• Jimmy T will be baptized March 10th by our good friend and mentor Rev. John Holler Jr. and we are thrilled! The gown Jimmy will wear is a family heirloom. I was baptized in it as was my father, grandmother, great grandfather and beyond. It's a pretty special outfit and we're praying it will fit our LONG big boy! JTC is already in 3 month clothes at 5 weeks old...so we're crossing our fingers.

Still WINNing with you,

~Meg

#theCooksWINN