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| ps from pk Did you miss some church time this weekend due to the storm? Kristen put together a mini church service (15 minutes) for your meditative pleasure. Looking to see God more in your daily life? Listen to Kristen’s sermon and hear Jesus’ suggestions. Click HERE to shoot over to YouTube for her brief reflection and prayers. Blessings, ps and pk |
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| ps from pk Christmas is the night the world begins again. I referenced the song “Better Days” by Goo Goo Dolls in my sermon last Sunday. Take a listen to it again by clicking HERE. The Bridge and the Chorus go like this: I wish everyone was loved tonight and we’d somehow stop this endless fight. Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days. So take these words, And sing out loud. Because everyone, Is forgiven now. ‘Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again. This is the beauty of Christmas. This is the wonder of God born to Mary and birthed in a manger. That on this night, the world does begin again. We talk a lot about resurrection and Easter as being the beginning of new life but I think this song is right. None of the stuff we usually focus on when it comes to Jesus could have happened if it weren’t for this night. Before Jesus could teach us how to love, before Jesus could heal, before Jesus could die on a cross, and be resurrected, before any of that, Jesus had to be born. Through this miracle and wonder of God on earth, we are filled with hope that Christ is giving us a new way. A way to that shows everyone IS loved. A way that shows ALL is forgiven. May you rest in the hope of better days this season. May you know that Christ enters into every day, not just Christmas, and that you are loved, and you are forgiven, by his presence here in our lives each and every day. Amen. Blessings, pk |
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| ps from pk God’s blessings overflow. In a 24 hour period at St. Paul’s, a recovery group shared stories of healing and offered each other strength. Burritos were prepped and sent out into the community. Bikes were worked on and new volunteers were recruited. Student art was proudly displayed and showed off in the Family Support Center. The youngest among us were cared for during pre-school at Pixie Village and voices were raised together in sacred song with the Lutheran Chorale. Our buildings were literally bursting with joy and promise, community and support. Blessings overflowing! Right out of our buildings and into the world. BUT WAIT! There’s more! We also welcomed the al-Hafyan family to Buffalo! They arrived at the airport late Tuesday night. Our refugee resettlement team and others used their blessings of time to help clean and set up the Kahle House. Other team members used their blessings to grocery shop and order a Syrian meal. And you all answered the call to bless the family and house with furniture and groceries. In the wait for the al-Hafyan family to arrive, we wondered if we’d done enough. If we had the right things in the house or the right supports in place. But God’s blessings overflow! We discovered at the airport that the al-Hafyan family was greeted not only by St. Paul’s, and their caseworker, but by extended FAMILY! The family’s parents and siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins were all there. Grandma met a grandchild for the first time in the arrival area. Brothers too long separated embraced. After being separated for over 9 years a family was reunited. (Mostly. There are still some siblings in Jordan) Suddenly what felt like too little felt like abundance. A house once empty is now overflowing with laughter and a family ready to begin life here in the United States. Overflowing joy and promise. Overflowing community and support. May we experience God’s blessings of joy and promise, community and support in our own lives. May it fill us up to overflowing so that it can burst out from us and into the world. Blessings, pk |
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