Make It Through the Night

There’s a story about a soldier critically wounded on a battlefield. The soldier was unable to move and unable to speak, but he could see and hear. At the end of the day as the sun was setting, a doctor examined the soldier. The doctor shook his head doubtfully and said, “If this fellow can only live until sunrise tomorrow, he’ll make it.”

            As the man lay in the hospital, the doctor’s words rang in his ears: “If he can live until sunrise, he’ll make it.” So, he turned his eyes to the window to look for the sunrise. Then he prayed and he prayed, to see the sun rising at dawn.

            All through the night he had this vision for the light of day, and the promise, “If he can live until sunrise, he’ll make it.”

            With that promise, he thought of wife and children. The words of the doctor gave him the strength to hang on through the night. And he did! He made it through the night. He saw the sun rise, and he lived.

            A vision has enormous power. If you tell a critically ill person that his case is hopeless, death will soon come. If you tell a child he is stupid, week after week, then that child will begin to think it’s true and act it out.

            On the other hand, if you tell someone who’s ill that there is genuine hope, that there is a good fighting chance, then he or she can rally. Healing and new life have a better chance of happening when there’s a vision of hope. When we give people encouragement and support, it can make a positive impact on their lives.

            One day Jesus said he would have to suffer and die. It was terrible news and his followers were depressed by it. Jesus then took them to a mountain where they saw him in all his glory and a voice said, “This is my son, listen to him.”

            Here’s the vision Jesus gives us when we feel discouraged. “Listen to him.” Jesus gives us life-giving words. He teaches us God’s steadfast love. He teaches us that we can love others as we love ourselves. He teaches us to lift one another up in times of hopelessness.

            Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life” -listen to him and live!

Rev. Curtis Fussell

Beams of Love

Beams of Love

“We are put on earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams of love.”

William Blake

          An Orca is a killer whale. The killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and high intelligence, and are found in every ocean worldwide. There was an Orca in the Salish sea known as T2C2 or “Tumbo.”

He had scoliosis, and would often lag behind his family. He wasn’t able to take part in hunts like the rest of the group, but for more than a decade other whales slowed down and made sure to feed him.

            That is what it means to live together in community. It means that when one of us is older and slows down, the rest of us slow down and make sure to feed them with love and kindness and respect. When one of us is younger and full of energy, the rest of us speed up to run alongside them, listen to their ideas, and feed them with love and kindness and respect. And when we meet those people we might not feel comfortable with, who don’t look, vote, or act like us, we still welcome them and feed them with love and kindness and respect.

            In the month of January it has been tough to bear the beams of love. We have said goodbye to those we love. We have watched friends who were once strong of body and mind slip into places they would rather not go, like hospital beds and care homes. Our children who were with us during holiday festivals go home to their own lives and we miss them. Those warm winds that swept through town a few weeks back have turned into a bitter winter storm.         Yet as we move into February we see glimmers of light shine in those dark places. Good memories can’t be lost. A baptism brings joy. A new baby in the family reminds us that life goes on. As long as we stay together we will never be alone. As long as there is love there is hope.

            “We are put on earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams of love.”

We are here briefly. We have but a little space to love and be loved. But glimmers of love is all we need, come rain or shine or winter storms, love and one another is always there for the asking, always!

* Somehow, Thoughts on Love, Anne Lamott, Penguin Random House, LLC, p. 111&191

 Prayer

 Lord, thank you for your love and for those who love us. Teach us to love ourselves and others well. Send us the strength we need when times are tough, standing on your promise that love is all we need and endures all things. Amen

Setting the Sail

Setting the Sail
“It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind, that determines which way we will go.”

- Jim Rohn

Growing up in Louisiana, I spent much of my youth around water. On weekends, we would take our boat out and spend the day sailing around Lake Pontchartrain, a large body of water that borders New Orleans. The first time we ever went out, and as the boat headed straight for the rock-filled coastline (and as my mother threatened divorce), my father learned he needed to take lessons. Not everything should be learned “on the job.” But with time, we became proficient and valued our time on the water.

Sailing responsibly requires skill guided by the willingness to learn, balanced with situational awareness. Learning from others’ experiences, which is a combination of learning from your successes and failures, fosters growth. Understanding the limits of your boat, its equipment, and your skill set led to a more enjoyable experience and kept us out of trouble. A team approach enabled each team member to leverage their strengths and enhance their experience. Finally, our situational awareness led us to capitalize on wind shifts, prevent accidents by understanding the direction of other boats around us, and identify weather changes that could threaten our safety on the water. The goal was to take the boat to where we wanted to go, not the other way around. And then safely come home.

There are a lot of life lessons that can be learned from sailing. In life, we are subject to the winds that can push us in various directions. Some will be favorable and will enhance our life experience and those around us.
Others will test us and have the potential to push us to our spiritual, emotional, and physical limits. But our faith, life skills, education, resiliency, teamwork, willingness to learn, and awareness of what surrounds us (people, ideologies, behaviors, etc.) can guide our lives toward the good and help us mitigate the bad. So, as you set the sails in your life:

• How prepared are we for what the winds of life throw at us? Have we equipped ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically for our journey in life? Are we striving to grow personally and professionally?

• Have we identified a team to support us in our life journey? Have we cultivated a community of mentors to guide us as we sail through life? Are we strengthening the critical relationships with our Family and friends?

• Can we see things on the horizon and know when it is time to capitalize on the opportunities or set a new course and change direction when it may threaten what we value most in life?

Take some time this week to assess your life direction: set the sails of your faith, education, values, and relationships to a destination of your own choosing.

“Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and humanity the vessel.” – August Hare

Rev. Dennis Hysom

To Be a Disciple

I just got home from my uncles’ memorial service. He was 91 and his life was quite an adventure. At the reception they showed a video of my Uncle Danny from a young man, a football star and then coach, to a husband (I was at his wedding as a five year old flower girl), to a father of three, a grandfather of five, to his son Michael’s 65th birthday party where he could still do a mean Carolina Shag on the dance floor. But what my uncle was most proud of was his love for my Aunt Sis and his family and his dedication to Jesus and his church. He would sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”   

            If we were looking at a video of Jesus’ life at this point in his journey, we would see Jesus’ birth in a stable. We would watch the Magi come from far away, bring the baby gifts, and go home by another way. We would see Jesus as a young boy discuss the scripture with his elders in the Temple and “grow in wisdom and stature.” We would see his baptism where a dove of peace rather than a lion of war settled on his shoulder, and we would worry as we watch him be lead into the wilderness to be tested. Now we watch as his ministry begins and he calls his disciples.

            The word “disciple” is mentioned over 250 times in the New Testament. A disciple is a learner or apprentice, one who follows a teacher to imitate their way of life and teachings. According to 2 Timothy, chapter 2, disciples are strengthened by the grace of Christ and share in his sufferings. A disciple is like a disciplined soldier who enlist, an athlete, or a hard working farmer. Discipleship isn’t an easy life but it is a good life. So, I have decided, like my uncle, to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. What about you? Are you ready for a life of adventure? The world could use a few good disciples of Christ!

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, we ask that you continue to give your faithful disciples wisdom, knowledge, revelation, and hearts that are strengthened by your grace. Amen.

H.I.P.S

Every year, I come up with a new name for these. Several years ago, I came across a legitimate name, but promptly forgot it. (Let me know if you know the term.) But this year it is H.I.P.S.; those holiday decorations that are overlooked and found after all the boxes are neatly carried away to storage. These are those things that are Hiding In Plain Sight. I should be able to see them when picking up after Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving... But somehow I miss them, and it's all very inconvenient.

This is the season of Epiphany,  a season that lasts until Lent. Epiphany is the many appearances of God in the world through Jesus Christ. It is filled with God's H.I.P.S. You can read a verse of Scripture and not be moved, and read it a few days later and realize that God was hiding in plain sight. You can view the mountains one day and not be aware of them. The next day, you can take in the same peaks and be amazed at their beauty. They become 'an awe' that God has hidden in plain sight.

And sometimes these appearances of God in Christ are inconvenient and messy. When you have a week where there is no pressing agenda, and you think you have a quiet few days, a phone call or a conversation reminds you that God is hiding in plain sight. There is a church friend who has a need, or a community non-profit is looking for help. You know it is the Spirit nudging you. God does not fit into our organized calendars, and the Lord messes with our personal boundaries. Even Jesus struggled with God's nudge. He was not ready to go when his mother asked him to work his first Sign at the wedding in Cana. He was not open to reaching out to the Syrophoenician woman, believing his mission was neatly focused on meeting the needs of his own people. The foreign woman convinced him differently.

It feels good when the house or calendar is put back to rights. But be prepared for God to turn it upside down. It feels even better when we see the Epiphany of God and compassionately respond to how our Creator is Hidden In Pain Sight.

Rev. Tempe Fussell

A New Resolution

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”

               – Abraham Lincoln

In 1991, Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, gave the commencement speech at Georgia Tech. He spoke of balancing work with one's other life commitments. His advice:

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them: work, Family, health, friends, and spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls: Family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”

Brian Dyson correctly identified a key reality of life: that many of us juggle a lot throughout the days, weeks, months, and years. Some have no balance, and it is damaging their lives in many ways. So as we enter 2026:

Don't take things closest to your heart for granted. Cling to them, as they were your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

As we continue our journey into 2026, take some time now to evaluate your life seriously. Without an accurate assessment of how balanced our lives are, we can hurt ourselves, our relationships, our faith, and our future. So as we enter 2026:

Do make a manageable resolution that will help you maintain focus on what you value in life, and then seek to follow it for the rest of the year.

Do allow yourself to seek wise counsel from someone you trust and then listen.

Do listen to your body and see if you are truly taking care of yourself and then take steps to improve your health.  

Do examine your spiritual, emotional, and mental health, and seek help to become stronger.

Do make a new resolution not just to live life this next year but take the steps to thrive.

And to everyone, a Happy New Year.

Curtis

Setting the Sail

“It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind, that determines which way we will go.” - Jim Rohn

Growing up in Louisiana, I spent much of my youth around water. On weekends, we would take our boat out and spend the day sailing around Lake Pontchartrain, a large body of water that borders New Orleans. The first time we ever went out, and as the boat headed straight for the rock-filled coastline (and as my mother threatened divorce), my father learned he needed to take lessons. Not everything should be learned “on the job.” But with time, we became proficient and valued our time on the water.

Sailing responsibly requires skill guided by the willingness to learn, balanced with situational awareness. Learning from others’ experiences, which is a combination of learning from your successes and failures, fosters growth. Understanding the limits of your boat, its equipment, and your skill set led to a more enjoyable experience and kept us out of trouble. A team approach enabled each team member to leverage their strengths and enhance their experience. Finally, our situational awareness led us to capitalize on wind shifts, prevent accidents by understanding the direction of other boats around us, and identify weather changes that could threaten our safety on the water. The goal was to take the boat to where we wanted to go, not the other way around. And then safely come home.

There are a lot of life lessons that can be learned from sailing. In life, we are subject to the winds that can push us in various directions. Some will be favorable and will enhance our life experience and those around us.

Others will test us and have the potential to push us to our spiritual, emotional, and physical limits. But our faith, life skills, education, resiliency, teamwork, willingness to learn, and awareness of what surrounds us (people, ideologies, behaviors, etc.) can guide our lives toward the good and help us mitigate the bad. So, as you set the sails in your life:

• How prepared are we for what the winds of life throw at us? Have we equipped ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically for our journey in life? Are we striving to grow personally and professionally?

• Have we identified a team to support us in our life journey? Have we cultivated a community of mentors to guide us as we sail through life? Are we strengthening the critical relationships with our Family and friends?

• Can we see things on the horizon and know when it is time to capitalize on the opportunities or set a new course and change direction when it may threaten what we value most in life?

Take some time this week to assess your life direction: set the sails of your faith, education, values, and relationships to a destination of your own choosing.

“Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and humanity the vessel.” – August Hare

Dennis

Immanuel, God With Us

I was going through some papers of my parent's and found this story from 1992.

I have no idea of its source, or its original wording, but it seemed appropriate for this week, and went something like this...

A couple were at the airport waiting for their cousin to arrive. Instead they kept hearing delays. "Flight 907 has been delayed for 45 minutes." "Flight 907 has been delayed for a further hour." The woman, exasperated, turned to an  elderly woman who was sitting beside her: "This is so frustrating." The older woman replied, "I am just glad it is a delay, I thought they were going to say the flight had crashed."

"But it's Christmas Eve and we want to get home", the woman replied. The older woman said. "I have nowhere to go, my life is on that plane."

She then went on to share that her children had just adopted a child and she was waiting to meet him for the first time. The couple seated in the airport were interested. They had been unable to have any children. They tried adopting through the state. They then attempted adoption through a private attorney. But after all their efforts they had ended up with only bills and broken promises.

The elderly woman explained that her children had tried various options until they found the one that had brought them their son. She told the couple that their agency promised adoption within 12 months times, though there were conditions . As they waited she explained the agency's policies. They were conditions the couple respected..

Shortly after their discussion the plane arrived and the couple greeted their cousin and then waited to see the elderly woman  meet her grandson. They watched with joy, believing that that family could be them in a year's time.

This week we anticipate the arrival of  the child of Bethlehem, believing this child represents hope for the world and hope for each one of us. Not all of us are waiting for a child, but all of us need to see "Immanuel", "God with us". The couple by the manger remind us to watch with expectant joy.

Come join us if you are able on Christmas Eve and wait expectantly with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Wherever you are, may it be a vigil that is filled with the awe of shepherds and the joy of angels.

End of the Advent Season

Our Advent walk is approaching the threshold of Christmas. Rain has washed the dirt away and a full moon cleanses the night sky, setting the stage, so that every star might shine brightly on the Christ child. The whole of creation, which has been watching and waiting now welcomes the child, just as shepherd-poet David had said, (Psalm 19:1)

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”

Now, the Christmas stage is set. The house is ready. One more candle to light and the Guest may enter! That candle is LOVE.

          However, has the Advent season taught us anything? Have we come to see the importance of watching and waiting for the Lord? Have we learned to listen to God speak through our day? Note that “devotion” is not just a set time, but an attitude of attentiveness and expectation. Can we imagine Advent as the first chapter of a great story in which we are invited to come along? Can we imagine prayer becoming so naturally enmeshed in our daily life that our whole life might end up becoming prayer?

That is a lot to think about. *

          Just remember when you hang up your stockings, hang an extra one for the Christ child. It is his birthday, after all. And fill it with the gifts that he would want:

hope, peace, joy, and loving kindness.

*The Art of Living in Season, Sylvie VanHoozer, p. 26-28       

Reverend Terry Hanna

Christmas Bells

“Hope is the little voice you hear whisper Maybe, when it seems the whole world is shouting No.”    - Unknown.

Christmas, 1863 and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was trying to find the right words to express his emotions. For over 2 years, our nation had been gripped and ravaged by the Civil War. Henry’s wife of 18 years, Fanny Longfellow had died in a house fire in 1861. In 1863, Longfellow received word that his oldest son, Lt. Charles Longfellow of the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded in battle. Longfellow’s personal life had been ravaged by tragedy and war.

So, on Christmas Day, Longfellow wrote the words of the poem, "Christmas Bells" that best expressed the ups and downs of the previous years. The poem was later set to music and can be found in church hymnals as “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Longfellow wrote:

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Despite the surrounding darkness of the times, Longfellow persevered and chose to focus his efforts on proclaiming a message of hope. While many would have lost hope or only seen darkness, Longfellow’s words produced a message of light that pierced the darkness of his surroundings, his personal life, and his outlook.

As we continue our journey to Christmas morning, Longfellow’s poem reminds me of our ability to cast light into darkness. But it is our choice. In place of church bells, our voices, our compassion, our love, and the example we choose to set in this world peal louder and deeper, enabling us to let others who are struggling this Christmas season know that “wrong shall fail, right prevail.” Let others hear your voice. Peace to you this Christmas season.

Rev. Dennis Hysom

Shopping 'Til We Drop

The Christmas shopping season has arrived! Gifts must be purchased, because “‘tis the season.” At Christmas time a fever will grasp us: “Shopping ‘til we drop!”

            Of course, we shop so we may present gifts to one another on Christmas Day. Gift giving imitates the gifts the Wise Men presented to Jesus; yet it also reminds us of the gift God gives to us in the birth of Jesus. How fitting to give gifts at Christmas! A wonderful spiritual practice!

            A poster though says, “Remember: Jesus is the reason for the season.” The poster seeks to direct our attention away from the commercial aspects of Christmas. Indeed, we can fall victim to the idea that Christmas is only about buying something for you and yours. Christmas then becomes misdirected as a consumer activity. The poster serves us well, if it helps us to keep our focus on the reason for the season.

            Yet, while I appreciate the poster’s message, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It’s still the case that Jesus is God’s gift given to us! Gift giving and getting a gift still lies at the center of Christmas. So, enjoy your shopping and gift giving! And, as you do, think about what it means, and what it says.

            I have the impression the Wise Men enjoyed the effort of bring their gifts to Jesus. Just as it was for them, we too have to expend an effort in gift giving. It takes planning, some traveling, looking, and sometimes not even knowing where you are and what you’re looking for. But in the end, like them, you find your way and the gift that is just right. Perhaps even a gift not just to you and your own, but for a stranger as well.

            Plus, think about this: it required an effort by God as well. God did not have to come. But God did come. Coming as human flesh, to live and speak to us about your radical compassion for lost, ridiculed, and despised people. Such a precious gift. The best gift of all!

            May your gifts remind you of that one, true gift -God with us and for us in Jesus. And in doing so, may God’s gift create a new heart in you: a heart that imitates The Gift -himself.

Rev. Curtis Fussell

The Light of Advent

The Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to       everyone. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never   extinguish it.- John 1: 4-5 (NLT)

          Advent means “coming” in Latin. And these coming weeks are meant to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the arrival of God-with-Us, Jesus Christ. We will put up Nativity scenes in the church, our homes, and on front lawns to tell the ancient story of Jesus’ birth. We will sing songs like, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and read scriptures. And we will light the Advent candles to remind us that the Light of the World has come into our midst. But have we gotten so familiar with our traditions that we have lost the wonder of the essence of this season?

          The Franciscan friar Richard Rohr believes that “The physical world is the doorway to the spiritual world,”* and the spiritual world is much larger than this one. Maybe the physical traditions that we carry on are a doorway to the spiritual world and the wonder we seek? And maybe when we light the candle of hope, peace, joy, love, and Christ, the light helps us see more clearly. For Jesus’ life helps us see our lives more clearly.

          Our invitation to Advent starts here, now- and thank God, because being here, now can sometimes feel complicated and hard, busy and sad. But what gives us HOPE in this Advent season is the reminder that the gift of our lives is a doorway to a much larger reality. And Jesus is the Light that shows us the way.

May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light

that has been given to us. Amen.     

*Fr, Richard Rohr, OFM, “The Mystery of Incarnation,” Center for Action and Contemplation, 1-27-17

Lord of Lords and The Prince of Peace

In Ephesian 1, verses 9 and 10 (MSG), we have this wisdom:

                         God set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything

            would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

 This is the view of the Church in its earliest years. The Jesus of Bethlehem had only a small place in the early beliefs about Jesus Christ.  Their Lord was the King of heaven and earth, far more significant than the Roman Emperor, who had all the secular power of their day. The assertion that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and The Prince of Peace is the theme for November 23rd, Christ the King Sunday.

 In a way, this Sunday is New Year's Eve, as it is the last week of the year. The first Sunday of the Christian year is Advent I, the hopeful preparation for the coming of the Messiah. How fitting it is to culminate the annual ecclesiastical cycle with the overarching image of our resurrected Lord of the Universe. We then make our way toward Bethlehem. In that ancient town, we see the story of origin about how our , Alpha and Omega, (the Beginning and End) of all Creation, chose to become a vulnerable human to whom we can daily relate.

 From infant to Lord of Lords, we worship an astounding Savior. And from our birth and into eternal life, we belong to that Sovereign.                                    

 Yours in Christ, Tempe'

A Time of Change

             November is a time of change. Summer days are behind us. Autumn is here. Winter is knocking on the door. Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon arrive. It’s time to get into the holiday spirit!

            Change is often difficult for us. We prefer our comfort zone. It’s familiar. A routine life is an easier life.

            Yet change fills our lives. We are all growing older. Children change weekly. Adults experience constant changes in their health. Working adults find their jobs constantly changing.

            Perhaps, when Jesus said, “You must be born again,” he meant practicing the ability to change in the face of daily living. Jesus’ call to be born again is far more than a one-time event. Jesus means for us to keep following him and to grow into the love for God and neighbor, which is an ever-changing landscape.

            I came across a useful insight on how we change:

                        “People change when they...

                          hurt enough that they have to,

                          learn enough that they want to, and

                          receive enough that they are able to.”

            If we’re honest, we resist change. Likely, we will change only if we are compelled to change. Yet, I think we want to live better, have a more rewarding life. Of course, such a desire will involve changes in your life.

            Jesus encourages us to see that we can change for the better in God’s terms. No wonder Jesus calls to us, “Be born again,” because we can be born again. God is with us to help us change and grow spiritually and heartfully.

            Whatever changes you need or want, receive God’s guidance of love and grace. Practice God’s love and grace in your life. It will change you and move you forward towards a better life.

Prayer: “Our gracious Lord, forgive our stubborn ways when we resist your love and grace. Help us and guide us to see that we can be born again, and again, by and into your Word and Spirit. Amen.”

Peace,

Curtis

Gifts

Gifts

It was November 8, 1970. At Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, the New Orleans Saints were playing the Detroit Lions. The Saints had won only one of their seven games so far, but they had led for much of this afternoon's contest against the Detroit Lions. But things had taken an abrupt turn for the worse (in true Saints fashion), and with two seconds to go, the score was 17-16 in favor of the Lions, and the ball was way down on the Saints' 45-yard line.

They were going to lose by one miserable point.

Saints’ kicker Tom Dempsey strode onto the field. He'd have to kick the ball 63 yards to score. And that had never been done before. Reality-oriented fans were already slogging down the stadium ramps, and the stadium seats were already half empty. Those leaving felt they could at least beat the post-game traffic gridlock.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The kick, which had to cut through the heavy, turbulent air in an outdoor stadium known for its unpredictable wind patterns, propelled the New Orleans Saints to a last-second 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions. It eclipsed the NFL mark of 56 yards, set by the Baltimore Colts in 1953. Tom Dempsey kicked the longest field goal ever-- 63 yards! 

The odds seemed stacked against Tom Dempsey as he lined up for that field-goal attempt.

Just seconds on the clock.

Unpredictable winds. 

63 yards of open field.

But poor odds were nothing new to Dempsey. Tom Dempsey was born with half a right foot and only one finger on his right hand. This may have stopped others from achieving their dreams, but Dempsey never used that as an excuse. He never let it keep him from chasing his dreams.

In college, he wanted to be a lineman, but just before tryouts, the coach grew dissatisfied with the current kicker. When Dempsey twice kicked the ball out of the end zone, the Palomar College coach knew he had found his kicker. Dempsey went on to be an all-league two-way lineman, a heavyweight wrestling champion, and a discus thrower for the college track team.

Now he wanted to play professional football. Tom Dempsey was fitted with a special shoe that allowed him to swing his leg and drive the ball like a polo player using a mallet.

And on November 8, 1970, Tom Dempsey, now a player in the National Football League, with two seconds left, booted the ball high and straight -- 63 yards through the goalposts, setting a world record.  

Sometimes in life, what limits us is what our brain, our heart, our spirit, our attitude, our faith, or our vision cannot imagine. Given the right conditions, we often can achieve so much more. "Until we are willing to use what God has already given us, there is no need to ask for anymore."

Rev. Dennis Hysom

Everyday Saints

In the south of France there is a unique tradition. During Advent, santons or “little saints,” appear in shoe-box sized manger scenes, or creches, and are placed in the dining room or living room of people’s homes. These santons are clay figurines, just three inches tall, painted colorfully in period dress. Each carries a simple gift for the baby Jesus. These manger scenes do not so much represent the story of the Christmas night, but re-stage it, setting the birth of Jesus in the middle of the people of Provence. Each little saint has a specific role as they offer their simple gifts to the Christ child. They are everyday saints.*

            We think of saints as holy, other worldly figures, martyrs or miracle workers, dressed in white robes, who stand a part from the rest of us. But a saint is actually defined as a virtuous, kind, and patient person, who offers their simple gifts to the Christ child.

            This Sunday we will remember those everyday saints who gave their simple gifts to Christ, the church, and to each one of us. And in the words of the hymn, I Sing a Song of the Saints of God, we will sing to the “Saints of God, patient and brave and true, who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew. And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green, they were all of them saints of God and I mean, God helping, to be one too.” **

Rev. Terry Hanna

* The Art of Living in the Season, Sylvie Vanhoozer

** Hymn, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” written by Lesbia Scott in England in 1929.

The Five Solas

I Peter 3: 15 states:

...in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience...

What are the reasons for your trust and hope in God?

The 16th century was a time when the Universal Church was challenged to state the essentials of the faith. I am motivated by the Moravian core statement of faith: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love."

The Reformation sought to unify Christians around five essentials, called the "Solas" (Alone). They are: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. Scripture alone is our guide. Faith, grace, and Christ alone are our hope of salvation. To God alone is our glory.

We have discussed our mutual essentials throughout history. The Reformed Church provided Confessions and Creeds to help people understand Christ in the controversies that have occurred throughout the centuries. The Church is a body of believers that covenants to discern together how Christ is still speaking in our culture and in our communities. We have the hope of continued divine presence.

This coming Sunday, we will explore the meaning of being a church that is "Reformed , always being reformed" to the Glory of God alone. Reformation Sunday is a time to recall our salvation history, for: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).

                                                Joyfully sharing our family tree,

                                                Tempe' Fussell

Jean, I have two prayers...

Here is a portion of a morning prayer from a theological founder of our tradition, John Calvin from Geneva, in the 16th century.

...Grant also, that while I labor for the maintenance of this life, and care for the things which pertain to food and raiment, I may raise my mind above them to the blessed and heavenly life which you have promised to your children.

Be pleased also, in manifesting yourself to me as the protector of my soul as well as my body, to strengthen and fortify me against all the assaults of the devil, and deliver me from all the dangers which continually beset us in this life.

But seeing it is a small thing to have begun, unless I also persevere, I therefore entreat of you, O Lord, not only to be my guide and director for this day, but to keep me under your protection to the very end of life, that thus my whole course may be performed under your superintendence... Let your good Spirit conduct me to the land of uprightness.

Stories That Shape Us

Stories that Shape Us
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 
 

          In my office there once hung a picture with these words written in beautiful calligraphy, “I know the plans I have for you.” It was given to me years ago by a friend who sensed my frustration of not knowing where I was going in life with ministry or family. I am a planner. I think five years in advance and this was a time in my life when I didn’t know what the plan was! Yet these words comforted me with the wisdom that I may not know the plan, but God does, and this was a time to be still and trust God. And when I felt anxious, I use to say these words like a mantra, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, I know the plan.”

          This Sunday our scripture is Jeremiah 31: 31-34. It is a time of transition for a nation. In the mist of doom and gloom to a people living in exile, Jeremiah offers a word of hope. God is doing a new thing based not on judgment, but on mercy, accomplished not through our own efforts, but through his love. And in the midst of a transition in the life of this church, as we select a Pastor Nominating Committee, God is doing a new thing. The Lord has a plan for us, to give us a future with hope.

Rev. Terry Hanna

Important Things in Life

           In a local Karate school, there’s a banner which says, “Thousands of hours of training. Countless bumps and bruises. One black belt.” This statement reminds us that important things in life requires commitment, and perseverance. Important things do not come instantly. Nothing significant is ever quick and easy.

For example, change the wording and we have, “Thousands of hours of studying. Countless exams and attention to details. One diploma.”

Or, “Thousands of hours of nurturing. Countless bumps and conversations. One child raised.”

Or even, “Thousands of hours of striving. Countless ups and downs, with joys and worries. One life lived.”

            Perhaps it is too much to reduce our life to a single statement. Yet, this formula captures the essence of what we know so well: a genuine life requires determined effort. A genuine life does not come instantly. It takes commitment, and perseverance.

Too often though in spiritual matters we think matters can be settled instantly. People will advise us to “just pray about it,” or “just give it to God.” How I wish that matters of faith in God could be settled with such a quick and easy solution!

Of course, praying and giving to God are essential actions. Yet, praying and giving to God alone cannot remove the demand for us to commit and to persevere in matters of our life with God.

One day Jesus said to his disciples that God required them to do some difficult things, such as watch how you treat vulnerable people, and always be ready to forgive. The disciples responded to Jesus, “Increase our faith!”

Certainly, with such a demand it would help to have our faith increased, to have instant faith. It would be wonderful to be able instantly to treat others as I would have them treat me. It would be wonderful to be able instantly to forgive as God forgives. A quick and easy faith would be nice to have. “Yes, Lord, increase my faith!”

However, God does not give us quick and easy faith. In truth, God does not need to give us more faith, because it is not necessary. Rather, God wants us to practice and exercise the faith which we already have.

Now, if you don’t think you have enough, think again; you do! It is not really a matter of how much you have. What does matter is this: how much will you trust and exercise the faith in God which you already have?

Perhaps a better request than, “Increase our faith,” is this: “Lord, give me the perseverance to do what is right in your sight. Because I know it takes: Thousands of hours of praying. Countless times of standing firm and being gracious, for one goal: faith in You.”

Rev. Curtis Fussell

The Quilt

My grandmother once taught me a valuable lesson in life. One day, she hung a quilt up on a rack and asked me to step way back, and then she asked me a question: “What do you see when you step back from the quilt I am working on?” From a distance, I described what I saw: a large piece of fabric, the colors, and patterns. She then said, “Get up close and tell me what you see.” Up close, I saw something different: it was not a single piece of fabric, but smaller individual blocks of fabric that were hand-sewn together with intricate stitching, which together made the larger quilt. She said, “A quilt is not a single item. It is a collection of a whole lot of smaller fabric blocks that, when stitched together, form the quilt. And the quilt is only as strong as the stitching that binds the blocks together.”

She went on to say that people are like that. They are not a single item, but a collection of life experiences, philosophies, education, journeys, people, places, and things. If you stay far enough back, all you ever see is what is on the outside, and you miss a valuable opportunity to grow. To grow, you have to get close to people and see the individual things that make them who they are: their faith, dreams, desires, successes, failures, love gained and lost, compassion, and values. And by getting close, you allow the things of value to shape you.

But getting close to someone has its risks. Years ago, as I sat through a memorial ceremony for a fallen Soldier, her words came back to me as I watched a team reflect upon the impact their fallen team member had on their individual and collective lives. These were not people who sat back and observed each other from a distance. These were people whose very lives were held in a delicate balance on every mission, and they needed to know, trust, and understand each other. With time, their individual lives became intertwined as they trained, conducted missions, and socialized. With his loss, the realization was clear that the manner in which he chose to live out his life had impacted everyone. His laughter, sense of honor, commitment to the mission, and personal values changed those around him. Like the quilt, his life became connected to the lives of those around him. And their individual lives were better for it. 

And that is a risk we take when we let others in. Sometimes, in the most unexpected places, we find exceptional individuals right next to us at the office, at the table, in the classroom, and wherever our lives intersect with those of others. And with the passage of time, some of those lives build strong and valuable connections. Some become friends, mentors, and life partners. Their story, life journey, hard-earned experience, determination, love, inspiration, joy, and strength thread themselves into the fabric of our lives and change us. And it is a risk. But I believe it is a risk worth taking. And I think that, if taken, it makes us stronger and life more vibrant and richer. Valuable life lessons from a Kansas grandmother and her quilt, a valued part of my fabric of life.  

Rev. Dennis Hysom