I set this blog up to be a part of the new website the church is doing.  We should have the new site live soon.  I wanted to take one sermon when the website went live and explain why I choose tharsei as the name of this blog.  I have been holding on the series I am going to start on the beatitudes, but I don’t want to wait anymore so I went ahead and explained to everyone Sunday why tharsei was chosen.  It means to “take courage.”  I used Matthew 14 as my text.  In this chapter, Jesus walks on the water to the disciples.  When they are frightened by his presence, he tells them to “take courage, not be afraid that it is him.”  I identify with the disciples in the boat.  There is a storm going on, I’m in the boat because Jesus made me get there and now when he is coming to me, I just get more frightened.  I need to remember to “take courage.”  Jesus is coming.  I don’t have to be like Peter and try to walk on the water.  Jesus never asked that.  Just stay in the boat and when Jesus gets there it will be OK.

Thanks to Ben Valdez for speaking to us Sunday after our lunch at Spring Hill.

My apologies about the sermon recording.  I forgot to bring the recorder with me Sunday so the is no sermon recording this week.  I’ll do better.

Here is Sunday’s bulletin

10-09-11