Thursday's Thoughts 2/11/10

March 2nd, 2010 | posted by Rev. Sarah

Thursday’s Thoughts

Fairview Community Church

Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am

“Composing Thursday Thoughts” photoby Wilfredo Benitez-Rivera

Hello Fairview Friends,

It seems that our culture has really capitalized on Valentine’s Day –the epitome of a Hallmark Holiday. It’s a day of expectations. Husbands once expected to get their wives roses and chocolates, are now obligated to up the ante with fancy dinners and expensive jewelry. This focus on hetero-sexual romance makes anyone who’s spouse does not offer up the customary cards, flowers and chocolates (never mind the lack of jewelry, etc) is taken for granted, ignored, and denied some sort of basic relationship right. Whoever forgot becomes the bad guy and whoever was forgotten becomes the neglected. Never mind those of us “singletons” who don’t have a Valentine…we’re second class citizens on Valentine’s Day. Don’t try to go out to eat because it’s “couples only” at most restaurants! Many people end up feeling disappointed, due to failed expectations, and/or loneliness.

So, why are we celebrating Love Sunday? Have we bought into Hallmark’s ploy to boost the economy? Do we believe that one must spend in order to demonstrate love? Are we heterosexists?

No! No! No!

This Sunday we are going to celebrate God’s love! While there is nothing wrong about celebrating romantic love –honestly I think it is beautiful when two people fall in love, I think it is important to lift up God’s love. So this Sunday we’ll be celebrating Love Sunday. We’ll be singing lots of secular songs that you are undoubtedly familiar with –but you are invited to think about them outside of the context of romantic love, and instead within the framework of God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another. After all, we believe that God is Love. What could be better than celebrating it together? Hope you’ll join us this Sunday!

Baby Watch 2010 is still ongoing, with unfortunately, nothing to report. Cindy is waddling around her neighborhood. She can be spotted at TeWinkle Park plodding up and down the hills. She regularly walks laps around her kitchen, but Baby Jackson is comfy and cozy not ready to leave her belly. A visit to the doctor confirmed what she already knew –he’s just not ready yet! So, despite the fact that his due date has passed, Jackson is still not here! The preschool ladies at Step by Step are convinced that he’ll come Sunday morning while we’re celebrating Love Sunday shattering my hopes of being there to witness his arrival. Of course, most normal people wouldn’t want their boss in the delivery room with them anyway, but I’m still hoping to witness a miracle! Unfortunately, I’m on the waiting list –as much as I’d like to use my pastor card to get into the hospital room, they’ve got regulations of only four bystanders, and sadly, I’m number 6. So, I’m hoping the two people ahead of me will get bumped out, and that Jackson will be polite enough to arrive either this evening when I’m not scheduled for meetings and am simply writing, or Sunday afternoon post church service when I’m relaxed and free. We’ll see what he decides! Stay Tuned –we’ll keep you posted with Baby Watch 2010!

Don’t forget to bring something for our Love Feast following the service on Sunday. It’s pot luck so bring whatever you wish and we’ll enjoy the luck of the pot! See you on Sunday!!!!

Please continue to help Haiti relief efforts by donating through our denominations. You can give online by clicking here through the UCC website or here through our ABC website.

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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!

My love of light is my spiritual Will.
Within it is the power infinite.
I give fear no place in my life.
My love of light is God's Smile of satisfaction.

God's supreme Love manifests in me and through me
To transform my human problems into my divine opportunities.

My animal human love is my unnatural experience and uncertain possibility.

My divine human love is my natural experience and certain inevitability of my living in the Eternal Now.

My love throbbingly says: "God is all blessing." God's Love smilingly says: "My child is all gratitude."

Love radiates the life of harmony,
brightens the joy consciousness and sharpens the sword of intuition.
Love is always ready to meet man's every soulful demand.
Love conquers all that is unlike God.
It is, indeed, supreme over all.

Love gives me my importance in the cosmic Vision of God.
Nobody remembers me save my love.
My sole treasure is love.
Love's treasure is God's Heart.

Love is the undeniable truth of my identity as God's son, chosen son.
Love is the unique combination of Heaven's freedom and earth's discipline.
In Heaven's freedom is earth's emancipation.
In earth's discipline is Heaven's manifestation.

No time-born desire can rend my love of light.
My love of light flies beyond the widespread net of death.
Mine is the love that has the birthless origin and the deathless end

By: Sri Chinmoy

Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,

the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.

If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the office714 545-4610.

PRAYER MATTERS

We are grateful for the well-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayers and heart . . .

Jeff Johnston’s mother died this past Sunday surrounded by her family. Keep Jeff and his family in your prayers as they deal with this unexpected loss.

Prayers for Jennifer Larsen and her family, her uncle Lou Cusimano has died.

Flo Martin’s brother-in-law, Kevin, who’s clinging to life and for her sister, Nikki, who’s clinging to hope.

Jeanie Molinaro, wife of Wayne Rash’s former employer Paul Molinaro, who has been operated on for ovarian cancer and now faces chemotherapy.

Continue to hold Gina Notrica in your prayers as she works in Japan and suffers from homesickness.

Alex Oldenburg’s friend Rob Corratti who has been paralyzed from an auto accident for 13 years. Rob will soon take an adventure to Germany to undergo stem cell treatment. His friends and family look forward to seeing him walk by the end of the year.

Ernie Ransom’s nephew, Richard (Dickie) Fox, is fighting cancer. Prayers for him and their family.

Fran Sorensen has learned that she is faced with cancer once again. Prayers for strength, courage and healing as she moves forward with treatment.

Carol Thicksten’s nephew who is still recovering from his tragic car accident. Continued prayers for him, his girl friend, and his mother who is suffering from shingles.

Carol’s dad, Hal Thicksten, had a heart attack on Wednesday, Feb 3rd. He is doing well and will have more follow up work this week. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thomas, a family member of a work colleague of Wayne Rash, who is in the grip of alcohol dependency and resisting recovery.

The people of Haiti, all who have died, who are missing, and all who suffer following the destructive earthquake.

Those seeking new employment, in this time of severe job losses and economic hardship.

Those suffering and recovering from deadly addictions and crippling obsession and those who help them.

Our Troops, as they perform their duties, wherever they are in the world.

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