As I consider the passage for this week's "Call to Health," I am reminded of a story of the rabbi who was asked one day by a student, "How can one tell when the new day has come?"
The rabbi reversed the question and asked his student, "You tell me how you can know."
The student guessed, "Is it when the rooster crows to signal a new dawn?"
"No," the rabbi answered.
"Is it then perhaps when one can discern the silhouette of a tree against the sky?"
"No," he was told. "The surest way to know when the night is over and when a new day has come is when you can look into the face of a stranger, the one who is so different from you, and recognize him as your brother. See her as your sister. Until that day comes, it will always be night."
This weekend's passage
offers a vision of that 'new day' and suggests its defining traits. I encourage you to read it considering the whole second chapter of Acts.
Several other important things happen in worship. We'll restart our 11 a.m. Fellowship Hall service. Come early and enjoy some special music: two original pieces by Cameron Moore about to be released on his new CD and Jazz Improv by our band. It will be a treat. We'll also restart our 8:45 a.m. Chapel service, which will enjoy a full choir. We welcome anyone who would enjoy a formal yet intimate worship experience.
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Will Willimon, a gifted storyteller and preacher, to deliver a Convocation Sunday address at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Willimon will also preach in the 11 a.m. Fellowship Hall service. His topic is the gospel command to love (and not merely tolerate) those considered to be "other" - foreigners, strangers and people without status.
See you this weekend.
