Dear Friends of Harvard-Epworth,

Last Sunday, we ended the morning worship service with a benediction written by Diana Butler Bass, a church historian and sociologist.  Several of you asked if we could send that benediction to you.  It’s written about the Magi, the Wise Ones who followed a star to worship Jesus.  Along the way, they spilled their plans to King Herod, who was none too pleased to learn their news of a newborn king, a threat to his throne.

Bass’ poem speaks of the specifics of that story: Magi, Herod, following a star.  It also speaks to any time in our lives when we find ourselves up against powers we can’t control — political powers, maybe, or health emergencies, or relationship troubles.  The repercussions of war, of poverty, of wildfires, of anything that disrupts our lives and sends us into an uncertain future.

I believe this poem speaks to any time when we have to find our way forward into a strange land, buoyed only by our faith and the light of a star, of some revelation of God’s love and purpose in our lives.  May it be a blessing in the uncertain and unknown journeys of your life.  May we all have the courage to follow God’s call, and to change our plans when needed.

Blessings,

Pastor Barb Lemmel