Southpoint News February 8, 2018

Safe travel and a wonderful weekend to those attending the church retreat this weekend at Tulahead.

Our 10:00 am service at Sunnyside will be held as usual.

groundhog

The Essence

“If I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”  Frederick Buechner

This for me, is the great cry of epiphany.  Long before the star appeared in the sky, three wise men sat on a roof together, paying attention. Watching. Waiting. For what?!?! Surely not for a star to burst out of hiding to declare the birth of a king. Surely nothing that specific. They were simply awake, waiting and watching because they believed they lived in a sacred universe worthy of their attention. Jesus said, “Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened to you!”  Pay attention – to your life, to the person you bump up against in the street, to the secret desires of your heart. Pay attention – to the sorrow burning within you, to the news you hear on the streets, to the dead body dumped by the side of the road. Pay attention – to the light in your child’s eye, the furrowed brow of your spouse, the fear behind the anger in your belly.  There you will find Christ, embedded like a star in the sky, like a jewel in the crown, like a heart-shaped stone in the sand. Seek! When you find the treasure buried in the field, or the star buried in the sky, then saddle up the camel, pack your bags, and GO! Whether the journey towards Christ calls you inward or outward,GO!

“I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you.”  Annie Dillard

” Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”  – Mary Oliver

Pastor Anne Smith

Southpoint 2017 AGM

Wednesday, 28 Februay:  Save the date!  At Sunnyside church building, 6:30 pm. This is our opportunity as the Church at Southpoint congregation to review 2017 and look ahead at 2018 together with our Leadership Team and Pastor Anne Smith.

Calendar: February

Sunday the 11th:  Brian Fryer speaking at Sunnyside church building, 10:00 am

Sunday the 18th:  The First Sunday in Lent, Pastor Anne Smithspeaking at Sunnyside church building, 10:00 am

Sunday the 25th:  The Seecond Sunday in Lent: ALL OUT.  We are meeting in Gatherings

Wednesday the 28tth:  Southpoint AGM (all are welcome) at Sunnyside church building, 6:30 pm

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