Blessed! We were all really blessed again this past weekend as we heard the Beatitudes, read, sung and preached. "Blessed are the poor in spirit...blessed are those who mourn...blessed are the meek...blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...blessed are the merciful...blessed are the pure in heart....blessed are the peacemakers...blessed....".
Somewhere around 30 years ago I was thinking about having a personalized license plate for my car. You have to apply for those. "BLESSED" was already spoken for. It worked out that "GRACED" became my license plate which I've now had for all of these years. But that is very close to "BLESSED". And that is what we all are! BLESSED, and GRACED! In good times and in bad we can live with the promise and the presence of God who both sees us through, and also sees through us...and loves us anyway! As Pastor Shelly said in her sermon yesterday, being blessed "...feels like you have someone's unconditional regard"...and "...feels like you have worth---not because of something you did or might do, but because the unconditional regard you have is from the Lord." Blessed, graced. What a gift. And as people blessed and "graced" we are then sent out into our lives and into the world to be a blessing to others. What can we say to that except....amen!
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Speaking of being blessed, when you are next around church, you'll have to stop in and see our new "Garden Room". It is the room attached to the church on the north side of the building. It has been furnished by a generous gift in memory of Dee Garrett by her husband David. Dee and David have been long time seasonal visitors from Indiana. After Dee's passing last year, David wanted to do something in memory of her here at Our Savior. In addition to the furniture, the room also has a lithograph of Our Savior from St. Mary's Castle Gate, York, London, 1844 given to us by the Garretts in 2008, and a newly painted Our Savior Icon by Sandy Stevenson. It all makes for a beautiful, peaceful place for meditation, small group Bible study and conversation. We are truly blessed to have this new addition to our campus.
And speaking of being blessed and something new, if you've been around you've probably seen the new "Meditation Garden" area outside of the nursery. It's beautifully landscaped with a flowing fountain in the middle. Benches will be added and a little more landscaping to finish this wonderful project in memory and honor of the many volunteers who keep our grounds so welcoming and beautiful. Many thanks to Mark Davia and Cray Little for spearheading this effort (and to Ronnie Lindner for lending his expert electrical help.)
For more ways you can be blessed and be a blessing please visit our website at www.oursaviorelca.com.
Have a blessed week! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +
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