April 6 Worship: "In Times of Loneliness, Adoption"

This week we enjoyed our final Sunday worship service before Holy Week.  The warmer and more cooperative weather has allowed more people to attend, so there were more people to see and plenty of friendly conversations.

We continued our study of "God's Promises in Hard Times" by considering the meaning of Jesus' directions from to his mother and the disciple that he loved: "Here is your son... here is your mother."  I suggested that it was the first example of adoption that has long been the hallmark of strong Christian communities.  Most of us struggle with loneliness at various points in our lives; the promise is that God has surrounded us with people who will reach out and adopt us -- claim us and care for us -- if we will recognize and accept it.  In addition, God has placed us near people who need such love and care from us, as well.  While such adoption does not prevent loneliness completely, it usually offers wonderful and loving support.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the communion meditation and the closing benediction, which briefly expanded on the sermon.