Ministry Updates for Monday,
April 27th, 2020
Web Site Launch – Helping Connect You to Your Faith Community!
Go to farmersvilleunitedmethodist.org
to visit our new website! This site contains much information including a
link to our Sunday Facebook Live sessions, past sermons and another way to view
the Faith Connection daily devotion and updates. Please explore the site
to learn more about our church. If you have questions or suggestions,
please let us know.
Scripture for Reflection – Mark 4:26-29
Jesus
said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who plants seed in the ground. Night
and day, whether the person is asleep or awake, the seed still grows, but the
person does not know how it grows. By itself the earth produces grain. First
the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in head. When the grain
is ready, the farmer cuts it, because this is the harvest time.’
Reflection – God at Work (Let it Be)
I have heard stories about the Beatles, how when they wrote
songs, they would often let them sit for weeks, months or even years before
they would record them. Along the way they might add a bit here or trim a bit
there. Letting a musical idea grow was part of their process.
We acknowledge such a process when we say, ‘Let’s
sleep on it’. In other words, lets give the seed time to grow. Let’s give the
notes time to become music. Let’s give our sketches time to become art. Let’s
give our thoughts and ideas time to strengthen and blossom.
‘The
universe rolls along on its own. Why get out and push?’
–
Agent Tony DiNozzo, NCIS (TV show)
For some, this pandemic may be opportunity to plant seeds
since there is certainly time to let them grow. For others, it may be opportunity
to look for a ready harvest sprouted from previous thoughts or ideas we set aside for
matters which seemed more urgent at the time.
I love this parable because it speaks to how we are
co-creators with God. We plant seeds, and when we rest at night or set our
attention on other matters during the day, the gravity of God is still drawing
our roots deeper while the warmth of God is stretching our branches to the sun.
Plant the seeds of your vocation, as well as the seeds which
make for healthy family and community. Take care of what you can, and leave the
rest to God, knowing God is at work, night and day, creating, sustaining, and
restoring life, and preparing a harvest for all of us.
Prayer
God of sustenance, God of growth, guide us in doing our work
faithfully, planting where you call us to plant, being patient when you are at
work, and harvesting when the time is right. In all these actions give us faith
and vision to know you are working with us and for us. Amen.