Lost...On the Way to Being Found
Therefore confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NRSV)
__________________________
and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NRSV)
__________________________
Dear friend,
Lost…it’s not a fun place to be, and we get lost in all sorts of ways, not just on
walks in the woods. We get lost on our spiritual walk. We need the support of
others so we may be found. Being found is a great place to be. So, if pressed to
think of one positive to being lost, you might say “I’m On the Way to Being Found.”
That’s my theme this week, in this edition of PJ’s Place (September 24), in Sunday
morning worship (September 26) and on my weekly podcast (September 29). And
oh…by the way, one of you made clear to me this past week your confusion (so likely
others are confused also) about my weekly creative output, which gave me a feeling
of still being a bit lost…so in the hopes of being found, please remember, I am weekly
creating three entirely unique experiences for you. First is PJ’s Place (my weekly email
containing a pastoral reflection and prayer). This is followed by Sunday morning worship
(now available both in-person and on YouTube {streamed live, then edited and reposted}).
Both of these are followed by a Wednesday morning podcast (usually about 8 minutes
long with a link sent through the PJ’s Place mailing list).
Weekly I attempt to bridge the reflection in PJ’s Place, with that of Worship and Podcast.
The only repeated element in all three experiences is the weekly prayer. So, please, do
take a moment to fully absorb what is being offered to you, and then share with others,
so they understand also. A lot of effort is put into all of this, and not just by me. Thanks
to those who run sound, cameras and computers, those who edit, post and more.
Thanks to you for spending a bit of time each week: reading words, watching videos,
participating by reaching out to others by responding to the Joys and Concerns,
participating by joining for worship, virtual Coffee Hour, listening to the podcast and more.
There are so many blessings emanating forth from this church family. To whatever degree you choose to
participate and be involved, thank you. We help one another…on our journey from being lost to being found.
On Sunday (September 26) Ted Gregoire will join The First Congregational Church of Dudley –
United Church of Christ as our newest “official” member. His beloved wife of 48 years (Lorraine Gregoire -
a faithful member of Sacred Heart of Webster) will stand with him, expressing her love for Ted and our church family.
Wednesday’s podcast (September 29) is dedicated to Ted…titled: “Love God and Be Nice.” It’s
an expression of Ted’s, which informs Ted and Lorraine’s life journey, and it sounds simple, doesn’t
it? We often complicate it though, don’t we? Danny Gokey, in the video above sings “Gotta keep it
real simple, Keep it real simple, Bring everything right back to ground zero, ‘Cause it all comes
down to this, Love God and love people, We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’, But if we
want to find a way to change it, It all comes down to this, Love God and love people.”
Thanks, Ted and Lorraine. Thanks, Danny Gokey.
And thanks, to you, for this journey we share.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
Lost…it’s not a fun place to be, and we get lost in all sorts of ways, not just on
walks in the woods. We get lost on our spiritual walk. We need the support of
others so we may be found. Being found is a great place to be. So, if pressed to
think of one positive to being lost, you might say “I’m On the Way to Being Found.”
That’s my theme this week, in this edition of PJ’s Place (September 24), in Sunday
morning worship (September 26) and on my weekly podcast (September 29). And
oh…by the way, one of you made clear to me this past week your confusion (so likely
others are confused also) about my weekly creative output, which gave me a feeling
of still being a bit lost…so in the hopes of being found, please remember, I am weekly
creating three entirely unique experiences for you. First is PJ’s Place (my weekly email
containing a pastoral reflection and prayer). This is followed by Sunday morning worship
(now available both in-person and on YouTube {streamed live, then edited and reposted}).
Both of these are followed by a Wednesday morning podcast (usually about 8 minutes
long with a link sent through the PJ’s Place mailing list).
Weekly I attempt to bridge the reflection in PJ’s Place, with that of Worship and Podcast.
The only repeated element in all three experiences is the weekly prayer. So, please, do
take a moment to fully absorb what is being offered to you, and then share with others,
so they understand also. A lot of effort is put into all of this, and not just by me. Thanks
to those who run sound, cameras and computers, those who edit, post and more.
Thanks to you for spending a bit of time each week: reading words, watching videos,
participating by reaching out to others by responding to the Joys and Concerns,
participating by joining for worship, virtual Coffee Hour, listening to the podcast and more.
There are so many blessings emanating forth from this church family. To whatever degree you choose to
participate and be involved, thank you. We help one another…on our journey from being lost to being found.
On Sunday (September 26) Ted Gregoire will join The First Congregational Church of Dudley –
United Church of Christ as our newest “official” member. His beloved wife of 48 years (Lorraine Gregoire -
a faithful member of Sacred Heart of Webster) will stand with him, expressing her love for Ted and our church family.
Wednesday’s podcast (September 29) is dedicated to Ted…titled: “Love God and Be Nice.” It’s
an expression of Ted’s, which informs Ted and Lorraine’s life journey, and it sounds simple, doesn’t
it? We often complicate it though, don’t we? Danny Gokey, in the video above sings “Gotta keep it
real simple, Keep it real simple, Bring everything right back to ground zero, ‘Cause it all comes
down to this, Love God and love people, We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’, But if we
want to find a way to change it, It all comes down to this, Love God and love people.”
Thanks, Ted and Lorraine. Thanks, Danny Gokey.
And thanks, to you, for this journey we share.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
Would you pray with me?
God,
wherever we are, you are.
Please, God,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on the self
more on our connection to you
more on our connection to others
more on our connection to the earth.
Jesus,
wherever we are, you are.
Please, Jesus,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on being lost
more on seeking and offering forgiveness
more on seeking and offering peace
more on seeking and offering healing and love.
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
wherever we are, you are.
Please,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on our way
more on the Way to Being Found
more on the Way to serenity, courage and wisdom
more on the Way leading home, to you.
Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Become the Love you Seek!
JOURNEY on The Way
SEE the Face of Jesus in All People
BECOME a Light of Peace, Justice
& Revolutionary Love
Blessings always,
Pastor John
God,
wherever we are, you are.
Please, God,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on the self
more on our connection to you
more on our connection to others
more on our connection to the earth.
Jesus,
wherever we are, you are.
Please, Jesus,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on being lost
more on seeking and offering forgiveness
more on seeking and offering peace
more on seeking and offering healing and love.
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit,
wherever we are, you are.
Please,
center our thoughts
center our minds
center our hearts
center our bodies
(through prayer)
…less on our way
more on the Way to Being Found
more on the Way to serenity, courage and wisdom
more on the Way leading home, to you.
Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Become the Love you Seek!
JOURNEY on The Way
SEE the Face of Jesus in All People
BECOME a Light of Peace, Justice
& Revolutionary Love
Blessings always,
Pastor John
Sign Up for PJ's Place
If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, known as PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at jwhite3646@charter.net with a request to be put on the mailing list.
_______________________________________________________________________
If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, known as PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at jwhite3646@charter.net with a request to be put on the mailing list.
_______________________________________________________________________
