April 5, 2016
Dear LABC,
As I write it is Monday morning, April 4, Opening Day for both the A’s and Giants. I am taking a holiday today to prepare for a tailgate at the Oakland Coliseum in advance of the A’s v White Sox game tonight. I like to get to the parking lot early to set up a table, chairs and grill and enjoy the ambiance. This is a yearly family tradition and it is fun to reflect at this rite of spring upon what is, what has been and what will be. I am re-reading Paul Tillich’s “Shaking of the Foundations” and intend to read a bit as well.
This coming Sunday, April 10, Easter season continues as we observe Disability Awareness Sunday. An email I received this morning from Sydney, our preacher of the morning, describes well what awaits us.
Hi Pastor Jim,
I have included 2 quotes. You choose which one you like. I couldn’t pick! And also my scripture.
At the Forum I will give an overview of the Church and the Disabled Community – How far we have come, How far we have to go. Then I will talk briefly to GiGi and Jesse about faith and disability.
The Quotes
“If we are to achieve a richer culture, we must weave one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.” —Margaret Mead
“Our Saviour chose to flash His credentials as Messiah through ministry to disabled people.… A disability magnifies God’s grace… We in our wheelchairs get to prove how great and how trustworthy God is.” —Joni Eareckson Tada
John 9:2-7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.
Thank you!
Sydney
Our Bible Studies, Flick Flack and Forever Young are all meeting this week. Thanks to all who lead.
Jim H.
Prayers of the Congregation
- All who are grieving
- All who are in stressful work environments
- All who are lonely
- All who are in the midst of decision-making
- All who are traveling
- Mary Karne for her daughter, Maryla
- Maxwell Vines, health concerns
- Al Johnson and Roy Browner
- Lloyd Scott
- Agnes Martin and the ABSW family
- Ann Fields for her family
- Ted and Doris Evans for their family
- Zondra Martin for her family
- Thanksgiving with Rick McKillop that his dad is recuperating well
- Karen Okusu, health concerns
- Carolyn Matthews for her son, William
- Kay Baxter for Stacey, Jamie, Abbott Harris and herself
- Sharon Gordon-Greer for her brother, Herman
- Larry Hutchings for Paul Fitzgibbon
- Evan Wilkinson and family as he continues post-surgery rehabilitation
- David Robinson for his mother
- All who live with significant pain
- All who are caregivers
- The ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies
- The ministry of the Evergreen Baptist Association
- Thanksgiving with Marie Johnson that Ollie is doing well
- Pastor Tanner for Serena Ke’s father, health concerns
- Jeanne Robinson, East Bay Housing Organization and and all who work for Housing Justice
- Ann Fields for all our young people