January 15, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

May God grant you peace in mind and spirit.

And may you be salt and light to everyone you meet.

I am still grieving over the violence that erupted at the Capital Building on January 6th , which resulted in loss of life, and dealt a blow to our national pride.

People of faith are wondering what we might do to help heal our broken hearts and National wounds. First, we must pray for national unity and work for domestic tranquility. Next, I suggest we ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” The Sermon on the Mount is a treasure trove of Jesus’ wisdom. He said to us, “you are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world.” That is our calling. Salt and Light are metaphors of prophetic Christian discipleship. Salt and light are loved by everyone, and they bless everyone equally. That is the holy ground where we need to stand. Salt and light have antiseptic and cleansing properties. That is the good work we need to do by praying for everyone and listening to everyone. That is what peacemakers do. Salt becomes part of what it touches. If we embody the spirit of Jesus, we become contagious for good.

My sermon this Sunday is, “Being Salt and Light”

The scripture readings are, Matthew 5:13-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:18-27

POEM OF THE WEEK

This is the land where hate should die,—No feuds of faith, no spleen of race,

No darkly brooding fear should try, beneath our flag to find a place.

Lo, every people here has sent, its sons to answer freedom’s call;

Their lifeblood is the strong cement, that builds and binds the nation’s wall.

This is the land where hate should die,—This is the land where strife should cease,

Where foul suspicious fear should fly, before our flag of light and peace.

Then let us purge from poisoned thought, that service to the State we give,

And so be worthy as we ought of this great land in which we live.

Denis A. McCarthy

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

Road Church service from January 17, 2021 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cfz7MPBsn3E