What’s Happening, December 5, 2024
As many of you know I preached a sermon a couple of weeks ago that was a post-election reflection on the effects that the election had on people in our community and our country. It was rightly considered a political sermon, but its intent was pastoral. It was the first of any kind of political sermon I have preached in 31 years. Yet, as I shared in the sermon, for the first time in my life I felt compelled to share some thoughts on the political process that had just taken place.
I will share that I had many, many people thank me for the sermon as it brought them a sense of comfort and hope in these somewhat turbulent times. Which is what it was intended to do, give some comfort to those who were hurting. I will also share that I had one family, that let me know of their concern that I preached a sermon that addressed politics. I offered to go to their home so we could discuss their concerns, but they were fine with a good conversation on the phone, and we ended things on good terms. I have also heard that some others had concerns as well but have not heard from them directly.
I have had a long-standing practice not to preach on topics that could cause controversy from the pulpit because it is a one-way conversation. And believe me when I say I prayed long and hard before and during the preparation of that sermon. Therefore, I want to say, if you feel like you want to share your concerns with me, I would be happy to come to your home to listen or visit with you on the phone. I want to give people a chance to have that two-way conversation. I would be honored to hear how you felt about it and your overall sense of how things are going in our country, or whatever else you might want to talk about.
Do know that I consider my time in the pulpit as a great responsibility and honor and will continue to do so.
~Pastor Marsha
