Good day dear friends. Please begin your day in prayer for the needs of the church, including Margaret Hall, one of out shut-ins who suffered a fall and is need of surgery but doctors don't believe she could survive one, yet she wants the operation. Margaret was the church secretary at Junction for 42 years.
Rejoice in welcoming our newest seven members! At last Sunday's Coffee with the Pastor, seven folks came forward to join and we rejoice with in welcoming them into our church family. For those keeping count, this makes 14 new members in two months! Praise God.
Rejoice with Mike Callihan, who TODAY begins employment with a construction company in Wimberley. As most of you know this is an answered prayer that comes after a long time of praying for the Lord to bless Mike with a job. Congratulations Mike and blessing in this new job.
Tuesday: John 2 relates the story of Jesus going to Cana of Galilee with his disciples. A very important family member of Jesus’ was also there. What did this person ask of Jesus? Why do you suppose this story is included in our Marriage ceremony?
In seeing the back of our sermon notes guide, I saw where I included the word to the song, "I Love You Truly." I didn't mention why so I'll do that now. As a boy growing up whenever the discussion in our family conversations would turn to someone getting married, my mom would sing the first verses. She never explained where she had heard the song or if indeed it was a wedding song, but I remember watching All in The Family, and this was not a show that I would seek to watch, someone else in my family had apparently left the channel on it, and for a wedding scene Edith Bunker sings the song. I laughed and said okay.
What songs do you think about when the thought about marriage comes into your mind or heart? As a pastor I think about those LONG songs some couples choose to have sung as they've been prayed for and they're kneeling and I'm standing. At that point in the service my knees say, "Isn't it about time you knelt or sat down??" I think of The Wedding Song is I believe in is the Guiness Book of World Records for being the Longest Wedding Song Ever Sung. (And couples, don't mind the rantings of this old man, you're free to select with me, whatever song you want sung!) I'm thankful MacArthur Park doesn't qualify as a wedding song (or does it? Something about a cake being left in the rain doesn't sound too matrimonial!)
Our UM Service of Marriage does include a reference to the wedding at Cana of Galilee. The line says that Jesus "graced" this wedding. It comes from John 2. Here is The Message version of those 11 verses from John 2:
1 Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples were guests also. 3 When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine." 4 Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother - yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me." 5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it." 6 Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus ordered the servants, "Fill the pots with water." And they filled them to the brim. 8 "Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host," Jesus said, and they did. 9 When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, 10 "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!" 11 This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
The wedding ceremony reminds us that Jesus' very presence at such an event is a wonderful thing. In this case, it was the occasion for Jesus to perform the first of his many miracles. And if invited, at all weddings, Jesus can continue to perform many miracles in the day to day life of this couple. Sunday I shared how marriage is a journey of perserverence. The wedding vows prepare us for that, remember the lines, "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health"? The promise we make to God is one of thanksgiving, God, you've given us each other and we don't know what tomorrow holds, but do hold us! As the good and bad come, stay with us and help us to overcome all things in a way that shows that You're with us!
Sadly, many couples give up with any little excuse. Usually it is about money. And when worries about money are stronger than faith in God, then the marriage may fail. Enriching your marriage means trusting God more than we trust ourselves and our pocketbooks and whatever else may be stressing us.
The family member who was with Jesus at this wedding was his mother. It was she who told Jesus that the wine had run out and that he should do something about it. The above version is a bit harsher than we're used to, but Jesus wasn't pleased that his mother did "push" him to do this miracle, but he does comply and a miracle occurs.
Is Jesus invited to your marriage? He may have been at your wedding as the clever church signs says, "LOVED THE WEDDING, INVITE ME TO THE MARRIAGE." His presence is that which truly enriches all marriages when invited and trusted and made a part.
PRAYER: Come Lord Jesus to our marriage. Enter in as Lord and Savior and share with us Your grace and peace. Enrich our minds, bodies and spirits we pray in Your name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
