Our continuing study of the Acts of the Apostles brought us to Chapter 12 today - where we said goodbye to James and met Rhoda. This was truly a day to experience the highs and lows of the Gospel message -- and day to day life. Still, there was much to learn from our 1st century story and our 21st century lives.
There are a million arrangements of "Amazing Grace". This morning's anthem by the First Church choir shared an especially beautiful one with us. We were, as always, blessed.
Finally, we hear the word "Christians" for the first time and find our link to the church in Antioch, finding, too, the importance of those who were not teachers and preachers in the growth and strengthening of the early church.
What a wonderful anthem to get our hearts prepared for this morning's sermon!
How amazing was Peter's message to those gathered in Cornelius' house -- God shows no favoritism and this message of Jesus is for all. It was hard to understand, especially for the followers "back home" in Jerusalem who expected this message was only for them. And Peter bravely and simply taught them otherwise. Can we take a deep breath and do the same?
A lovely and full choir loft this morning! And we were blessed.
Dan's offertory gift this morning was a lovely entre' into worship. (Thank you!)
Our journey through the Acts of the Apostles continues today as we spent a little time with Peter, observing a rather unique and far-reaching dream.
A lovely arrangement of "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" was the anthem prayer by our choir this morning.
We take a small pastoral intermission in the sweeping story of the Acts of the Apostles this week and take visit to two small characters - Aeneas and Dorcas - as Peter stops for these two errands of God. We learn there are no small errands in the Kingdom. And what we think are ordinary people are not ordinary to God.
