“The Light”
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
The sun is shining brightly right now. Our house is a different place when it is filled with its light and warmth. We do what we can to produce imitations of it when it cannot be found. But there is nothing like the real thing.
I’ve found myself noticing and thinking about the sunlight a lot lately. I’ve become even more aware of the differences in my attitude depending on the presence or absence of light. In my office, for instance, when the sun is not shining, the only light in the room comes from a florescent glow. The temperature dictates if I can keep my door open or if I need to keep my office closed off, and a small space heater must be used to provide a dry uncomfortable heat. In the absence of natural light and warmth, we settle for artificial replicas that just don’t measure up.
In the opening of John’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus is the light of the world, a light that can overcome the deepest darkness. Matthew’s Gospel takes it even further when Jesus, the light of the world, tells his disciples – and us- that we are the light of the world. We are to shine that light in all the places that are settling for the artificial replicas.
Earlier this week, I listened in awe along with millions of others as an incredible and courageous young woman, Amanda Gorman, shared some words that were meant to remind our nation about the nature of light. In her poem, “The Hill We Climb” she closed with these words.
When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.” – Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb”
Jesus reminds us to never keep our light hidden in the shade. We have a source of light that can give life to all the world, “if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.” Let us seek to live a faith strong enough to see and be the light of Jesus for our world.
Blessings, Chris
Worship This Sunday
This Sunday, we continue our message series “Piecing it Together: Solving the Biblical Puzzle.” This series will seek to introduce the major themes (or puzzle pieces) of the Bible and to show how they define the Word and work of God. This week’s puzzle piece is about the people Israel. Our scripture reading will be from the Book of Genesis, chapters 12, verses 1-5:
The Lord has said to Abram, “Go, from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.”
We will begin our service with a video of the song Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music. Our hymns for Sunday include: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, and Be Thou My Vision. Additionally, our video hymn this week is You Say, by Lauren Diagle.
COVID Precautions
It is a New Year, but we still need to remain vigilant in our COVID precautions. Please, if you are not feeling well or for any reason believe you might have COVID, please worship with us virtually until you are feeling better.
Please remember the new COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are now required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (approximately 50 people) in our Sanctuary. Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30. We also request you not hang around too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.
We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you. Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:30 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website. We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern.
Announcements
Blood Drive – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood donations continue to be essential to hospital patients. Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need. We will be hosting a blood drive the afternoon/evening of Monday, February 1 in our Fellowship Hall. To schedule a time for donation, click here.
Scholarships Available – The Juanita Scott and Charles Edgar Whitten Memorial Scholarships are now open for applications. These scholarships are for (respectively) high school seniors and 3rd or 4th year college students. Please inquire with the Boonville Guidance Counselor or the church office for more information.
Inclement Weather Policy – As recent weather events have shown, our winter weather in Missouri can be challenging! And while we encourage our members to attend worship as frequently as they are able, we also know that when it is treacherous to travel, the wiser long-term answer is to stay safely at home. The Trustees do have a contract with a service to clear our sidewalks and steps when it snows, so if the city has cleared the roads, we will have worship services.
If a decision is made to not hold Sunday services because of inclement weather, an email will be sent out to notify the congregation of a cancellation, we will notify the local television stations KMIZ and KMOU and have them add it to their reports. Additionally, we will post the closing on our Facebook page and church website. If you do not have access to email, or if you do not have access to the media (because of power outages), call a church friend before heading out.
Events this week:
Monday, January 25: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom
Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge
Wednesday, January 27: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge
Thursday, January 28: Baby Grace, 5:00 pm, Church Annex
Closing Words of Wisdom:
You may think your light is small, but it can make a huge difference in other people’s lives.” – Anonymous
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