Dear Caldwell,
It’s been an unsettling week. The spreading unrest among some Muslims around the world has been difficult to watch and more difficult to understand. Let us pray in the name of the Prince of Peace for wisdom in the name of the One who sent him.
Wisdom lies at the heart of our worship this Sunday. I ended last week’s sermon quoting James’ words, “faith without works is dead.” That’s a statement well worth revisiting and we will do so in the light of wisdom, which is really what James is getting at. The idea of Wisdom as a manifestation of the Divine affirms the feminine side of God. It plays important roles in the Old and New Testaments, as well as in our day. We will unpack what it means in relation to James’s claim about faith and works. We’ll look at how it can guide us in both our inter-personal interactions and as agents of a God who demands justice in the world.
The Adult Sunday school engages the second of the “Phoenix Affirmations,” a new study that “offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians a sense of hope and a tolerant, joyful and compassionate message,” according to its author. Last week’s discussion drew a large group and great insights by all.
Among our pastoral concerns, please keep in prayer Michael Willimson. A week before his marriage to Alec McLeod, he has just learned that his mother has cancer and will undergo surgery early next week. Also, we hold up Susan Poel, whose aunt is in critical condition.
Finally, in light of the news about Caldwell House, I remind you that you can join our neighbors for breakfast every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in our Fellowship Hall. You’ll be fed in several ways.
I wish you rest from your week. See you Sunday.
In Christ, John