Pastor's Monthly Message
August 2020
A heartfelt thank you for all of the love you have showed Philip, Sweetie and I since we moved to Safford. The home you provide is beautiful and comfortable. We enjoy sitting on the patio each morning as the birds begin to sing and the sun rises. We give thanks for the Pecans, Plum jam, fresh peaches, fresh flowers, (which we have planted in the patio area of the church) We have had good visits, restaurant recommendations and places to see all around the area. We have especially enjoyed our trip up Mount Graham for a picnic lunch, our trip to “The Box” to splash in the cool water, and our visit and tour of the Duncan UMC. Sweetie is excited to have her first sheepish friend from the Community Garden. We have found the Bakery and have sat under their pecan tree and ate our yummy treats. We look forward to getting unpacked and to engage in the church and the community around us.
Go Wolverines, Eagles, Bulldogs and Safford UMC!!! (What’s our Mascot?) Sweetie suggests it’s the Lizard who taunts her everyday from the garden wall!
When I saw the title of this Adam Hamilton Book, I thought “WOW! I need to read this book!” SO I purchased the series. I quickly opened the book and smelled the pages. I find you can tell quite a bit about a book by the aroma of the ink and paper. But alas I knew that if I didn’t hunker down and read, I would not ever know exactly how I can learn to live “Unafraid”.
The words “Do not be Afraid” came to mind from Isaiah 41:10 and the David Haas song “Do not be afraid I am with you…” began to sing from my heart. But to be honest, I was bit Afraid to let down my guard and read. Maybe you have been experiencing the same things I have been feeling… Letting the guard down is difficult in the best of situations and now more than ever. I am afraid that I am beginning to be comfortable with Fear, Worry and Anxiety. These are difficult times in our lifetime. We have never been through anything like this COVID 19.
I would like to spend some time with each of you in online learning in hopes that we will grow in faith, strength, hope and courage.
Preparing for the opportunity you can get your own copy on Kindle, hardcover or audio book. Then get out a journal or an IPad, Notebook, or pen and paper for each session and be ready to participate from wherever you are; knowing that we are all together for this time in this place.
Two things that bring me hope when I am feeling afraid is prayer and the other is a trusted friend or spouse. In reading this book, I found another - the acronym for:
F.E.A.R.
“F” Face your fears.
“E” Examine your assumptions in light of the facts.
“A” Attack your anxieties with action.
“R” Release your cares to God.
Since we will not be able to get together in person, I will begin a 5 week Sermon series using the ideas in the Adam Hamilton book UNAFRAID on Sundays at 10:30AM from August 2nd until Sunday August 30th.
In addition we will post a segment for Adults, Youth and Children on Facebook each Wednesday then after each live post, the segment will be posted on the Churches website so that you can participate when it is convenient for you.
Sowing the Seeds of Faith,
Pastor Corby