PASTORAL THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

June 4, 2020 

Dear Road Church Family and Friends,

This Sunday is our traditional communion Sunday. So I have prepared a brief message about Jesus’ last words to his disciples around the table at the last supper. They were, I share with you this bread, this cup to remember me. “Eat and drink in remembrance of me.” I invite you to listen to this devotional message being prepared to eat bread and to drink from a cup with me in memory of Jesus. May you be blessed as we do this together.

Scripture preparation: Matthew 26:26-29 for my message “Remembering Jesus Around the Table” for June 7, 2020.

Here are some thoughts and a prayer for your reflection and encouragement.

In the movie, Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays Phil Connor, a character who relives February 2 over and over and over, countless times until he gets the day, and his life, right. It turns out to be a long slow process, because he repeats the same mistakes again and again. Eventually he turns from being a self-centered, cynical sourpuss to someone who is kind and concerned about the welfare of others. The ordeal of reliving the same day over and over is a source of great frustration for Phil because he feels trapped in his same failures and disappointments. He finally learns that within himself is the key to finally waking up a new man on February 3, to begin a new day that represents a bright new future.

Mark Twain said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” It seems that this year rhymes with 1918, 1932, and 1968. Like Phil Connor, our society is caught in a repeating cycle of past destructive behavior. The consequences will continue until we set things right. Much progress has been made in race relations since the civil rights movement. But the murder of a black man in police custody in Minneapolis has caused civil unrest to break out once again in cities across our land. Progress toward a society of justice and equality for all is frustratingly slow. Times like these are a call to all of us as people of faith to redouble our resolve to “stand for justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” The power to change ourselves and our society, and move our history in the direction of justice and peace lies within us. If we can find the grace and goodness of God within ourselves, we can help bring about a bright new future here and in the world. Let’s pray that with God’s help that day to dawn soon.

Our Father in heaven, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to follow where your Spirit is leading. Help us to see every person the way you see them. Let us not say that we love others, but may we prove our love by our actions. We mourn with those who mourn and we weep with those who weep. May justice roll on like a river. May faithfulness spring up from the earth. May mercy rain down from heaven, and righteousness lead the way before us. Let justice and mercy begin with me.  Amen.

You remain in my heart and in my prayers,

Pastor Norm 860-759-6720 normerlendson@gmail.com

Message title for June 7, 2020 “Remembering Jesus Around the Table” https://youtu.be/5fhsrP2TdtQ