SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 2, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ – 

Books are written, TED talks given, and sermons preached on ‘happiness’. What is it? Where do we find it? How can we sustain it? Which algorithms can we employ? 

Jesus begins his manifesto, his seminal teaching, with an aggregate, it seems, of teachings that Matthew has gathered. 

He begins with a series of statements that describe those who are ‘blessed”. To review this list you would hardly imagine these people to be ‘happy’. So what is Matthew reporting? What does Jesus mean as he lists the blessed: those who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst; but then goes on to list others who are merciful, who seek peace, and who profess his name even at risk of harm?

He is describing those who are close to the heart of God. 

This Sunday we share communion and we share a celebration of one of our favorites, and surely God’s. Together we get to celebrate the service and the sweetness of Miss Annie and commission her for the next stage in her life. 

We’ll sing, we’ll pray, we’ll worship the God we profess and who claims us. What a great day coming – see you in worship!