January 21, 2023 

Dear Road Church Friends,

After our Sunday service we will hold our Annual Meeting in the Parish Parlor to discuss our hopes and dreams as we continue to move ahead into this new year. We will elect board members and vote on the proposed budget that has been prepared for our review. These are exciting times. Beginning in June of next year we will be celebrating our 350th year from the founding of this congregation. Between now and then we will be planning special commemorative events in which we will share our story and our current ministries with the community. This important meeting is a test of our Congregational democratic tradition. Are we a spiritually healthy, happy (blessed), free people? This is the question that tomorrow’s sermon will address. Join us for our Sunday service and the important meeting immediately following.  

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 5:1-14    SERMON: A Happy and Free People

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

AMERICA’S TASK  by Abraham Lincoln

With malice toward none, with charity for all,

With firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right,—

Let us strive on to finish the work we are in:

To bind up the nation’s wounds,

To care for him who shall have born the battle,

And for his widow and his orphan—

To do all which May achieve and cherish a just and

Lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

A PRAYER by Mother Theresa

Dearest Lord, may we see you today and everyday in the person of the poor, the sad, the sick the hungry and while nursing minister to you. Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive disguise of the irritable, the exacting, the unreasonable, may we still recognize you and say: Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you.

Lord, give us this seeing faith that we will always find joy in humoring the fancies, and gratifying the wishes of all poor sufferers. Amen                               

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm
Our worship service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CrdG_RdptR8