Sunday, March 7, 2021

Greetings:

We are coming upon a grim anniversary. The 3rd Sunday of this month will be the 1yr anniversary of the last time that we worshiped “in person” (that’s a new term we had to learn this year). I still remember that Sunday; as the Men were lining up for prayer before service, we all looked at each other and decided not to hold hands. Needless to say, a lot has taken place since then, but one thing has been constant this past year: God has been good.

A few in the congregation have contracted COVID but all have recovered. However, there have been those within our family and our circle of friends who we have lost this year; and not just those close to us, but the over 500,000 persons in this country who have died. We pray for every person and for each family. We pray God’s comfort and for God’s continuing guiding care. Yet, we are also thankful that vaccines have been produced and that with vigilance, we will pull through.

Even in the midst of this pain, somehow, without our coming together, we have remained current in all our bills and assessments. We paid off the Van and we now hold the title. And, as I said to our Class Leaders a couple of weeks ago, as far as I know, no one has been in significant distress. I cannot understand how we were able to do that, other than to say, God has been good. And we are coming upon another anniversary this month. At the end of the month, it will be 1 year since Mike had a double-lung transplant. Of course, by his current condition, you’d never know that; he and I are back to arguing about Hockey like nothing ever happened. Again, all I can say is that God has been good.

God’s goodness and God’s grace as amazed me this year and I can think of no other way to express my thankfulness than the words of Psalm 116 (NRSV):

12 What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.

16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Reginald Broadnax