Today we celebrate love-Happy Valentine's Day! I received a gift of love, hearts flowing out of the offering baskets, when I asked you to write notes telling me what you thought you, or we, could do to make our world a better place, a kinder place, the place God wants our world to be. I was overjoyed when I read your responses Sunday afternoon. (For those of you unable to brave the February 9th snowstorm, I asked for these responses at the end of my sermon based on Isaiah 58:3-12, The Prayer of St. Francis, and Alan Paton's book Instrument of Thy Peace.)

We are blessed with so many friends to get to know in our church. Riches await. I want to share the flavor of the many, varied responses. Some of us wanted to be more positive to accept different viewpoints, to listen and hear others better. The desire to nurture the generations to come through modeling love, acceptance, and joy for children was prevalent. Many wanted to help and pray for people in so many kinds of need-the elderly, the homeless, the disabled, the mentally ill, the hungry, those in prison, and those who are grieving. Some were willing to help with the practical matters of life that are sometimes too complicated for us to handle on our own. Others wanted to care for the natural world, and the critters, especially the endangered species. One entrepreneur wanted to form a business to help fund a school trip. One wanted to bring laughter to others. People were listening for opportunities to do God's work. There was an underlying desire to surrender to God's will and guidance.

As Paul D. Hanson, a commentator from Harvard Divinity School has written, the words of Isaiah "evoke our deepest sense of joy with invitation to delight in the Lord through worship purified by loving kindness." Thank you all so much!

Blessings,

Rev. Joyce Snapp