Brush fires in the spring really surprise me. I have to wear my Sloggers boots because of the squishy mud that engulfs my feet when walking my dog so it doesn’t seem possible that such damp ground could sustain a fire, but the fire danger has been high this past week. The dry grass and brush, newly emerged from the melting snow is completely devoid of moisture and can catch fire very quickly. The gusty wind easily spreads the flames from ignition point to forest, fields and dwellings. The firefighters’ job is to control and contain it. It makes me think of that expression, “spreads like wild fire.” Fire is an integral part of our earthly existence and most often as a destructive force, but sometimes it is productive. There are lodgepole pine trees on the west coast that are fire-dependent, that is, they require forest fires to burn hot enough to open their cones and release seeds so that their species will continue. Humans have also learned how to use fire to keep warm, provide light and cook food. We have harnessed the power of fire for our use. Ideas catch on like fire and some spread like wildfire. The message that we share at church is news that we want to spread like wildfire. The message is one of grace and forgiveness and love. It’s not a harsh message of hellfire and brimstone. It brings us such joy that we want to capture this message of love…to have it catch fire and spread so that it burns not only in our hearts, but the hearts of everyone. Philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.” Join us in discovering that kind of fire at 8:45 am on Sundays at 15 West Leyden Road for worship with snacks and friendly conversation to follow. Our services last about an hour and are full of hymns, choral music, a children’s message, scripture and a sermon. Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month. There is Sunday School for the children and the church is handicap accessible. All are welcome! Rev. Cheryl L. Meachen
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Worship this Sunday, April 26th at 8:45 am will be a healing service and will include scripture from Acts 4:5-12, read by Mary Lou Barton, telling the story of Peter describing by whose power healings are accomplished. Rev. Cheryl Meachen’s sermon, titled, From Healing to Wholeness, will explore the wounds in we bear due to sin and sickness and how they are healed by God’s love. (View the sermon at this link.) The Children’s Time, titled, Taking Care of the Sheep, will focus on John 10:14-15 and will include corralling some sheep. Marilyn Kugler will lead the choir and music. Contact us via e-mail [email protected] or phone 413-774-6441. The church is located at 15 West Leyden Road across from Town Hall and is handicap-accessible. All are welcome!
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May 2016
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