Click on video above: Pastor's Corner - November 23, 2020
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Thursday, November 26, 2020
9:00 AM
Thanksgiving Week Reflection
It Is Well With My Soul
by John C. Odean
Director of Media and Communications
Here it is Thanksgiving week. In the Pastor’s Corner video above Fr. Jim talked about how celebration can only really come about where fear and love – joy and sorrow – tears and smiles can exist together. And isn’t that the essence of what it is to live life in Christ? I, for one, am very grateful this Thanksgiving week – even in the midst of COVID devastation and death, even as it seems our country is pulling at the seams in national division, even as so many worry about future employment and how they will make it through financially...this Thanksgiving, when things seem so uncertain, I am grateful because, “It is Well With My Soul.”

To that end I wanted to share with you two videos, each one has to do with the much loved hymn: "It is Well With My Soul." Both have helped me re-focus and re-center my thoughts and emotions in the past months. In the first video a group of studio musicians partnered together to put together a 'quarantined' rendition. Just a great presentation affirming the reality that no matter what occurs in our lives we can make it through because we know who hold us in His hand.

The second video is the story behind the hymn...which is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time one of those "Kingdom of God dichotomies." This video features the teaching of Phillip Wagner, a friend of mine from my Los Angeles pastoral days, who himself has been recovering from COVID for many months now (Strength and health to you, Phillip!) If you don't know the history behind "It is Well With My Soul" it could become one of those anchor stories for your life. To me, both of these videos have to do with "living" a life of thanksgiving in the midst of this current painful world. Both had me in tears – grateful tears for who our God will forever be for us. If you have the time and inclination you may be glad to watch them.

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all!
Click on video above to view "It Is Well With My Soul" by
The Nashville Singer Community Virtual Cellphone Choir
Click on video above to view a message on
"The History of It Is Well With My Soul" by Philip Wagner
Fr. Pastor’s Homework Stop-off
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