The Sunday Summary

As we all begin to "thaw out" a little from the winter's cold, it is my prayer that more people choose to spend these gorgeous spring Sunday mornings at Court Street. There was no competition for the beauty of the sun streaming in our stained glass windows this Sunday morning or for the fellowship inside the sanctuary.

Here are some of Sunday's highlights:

• Ben Moore from Reynoldswood Camp came to talk about UM camping programs and opportunities at all 3 services. Camping is a great opportunity for our young people and if you want more information, please contact becca here at the church!
• We had our Spiritual Gifts spotlight on the Gifts of the Hands
• The Choir shared He Never Said a Mumbalin Word
• Rob shared a haunting version of Were you there?
• We collected our "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering.

Pastor Keith's sermon was entitled "God's Outrageous Mercy" and he challenged us to see God's mercy in a variety of situations. Some highlights of his sermon follow:

• Pastor Keith shared the story of Roswell McIntyre: Abraham Lincoln offered an example for us. He was faced with a decision about a young soldier named Roswell McIntyre who had little training when he was drafted into the New York Cavalry and in a battle became frightened and ran. He was court martialed and sentenced to be shot for desertion. He had to be made an example of. His mother wrote the president and asked that her son be given another chance to prove himself. Lincoln thought and prayed about it and wrote these words: "I have observed that it never does a boy much good to shoot him"
  Lincoln wrote this letter in his own hand: This letter will certify that Roswell McIntyre is to be readmitted into the New York cavalry. When he serves out his required enlistment he will be freed of any charges of desertion." This seerves as an example of outrageous mercy!
• Another example of Outrageous Mercy involved President Coolidge: Once in the middle of the night, the new President awoke to see an intruder going through his clothes. He watched as the thief first removed a wallet, then unhooked a watch chain. Coolidge calmly spoke up from the darkness: "About that watch, I wish you wouldn't take that."
  The startled man, gaining his voice, asked, "Why?"
  Coolidge answered, "I don't mean the watch and chain, only the charm. I'm very fond of that charm. It means a great deal to me. Take it near the window and read what is engraved on the back of it."
  The burglar read: "Presented to Calvin Coolidge, Speaker of the House, by the Massachusetts General Court." And now he was more surprised!
  "Are you President Coolidge?" he asked. He evidently did not think he'd find the President sleeping in a hotel!
  "Yes, I am, and I don't want you to take that charm," he said. Then he asked, "Why, Son, are you doing this?"
  The young man explained that he and a friend traveled to Washington during their college break. They spent all of their money and had no money to pay the hotel bill or pay for train passage back to school. "If you don't mind," he said, "I'll just take the wallet."
  Coolidge did mind. He knew he had about $80 in his wallet. So he said, "How much will it take to pay your hotel bill and get you and your friend back to the campus? Sit down and let's talk this over."
  Coolidge added up the room rate and two rail tickets. It came to $32. That may not sound like much now, but it was a considerable sum then. "I'll give you the $32 as a loan," the President said, "and I expect you to pay me back."
  The youth thanked him. Coolidge then advised him to leave by the same window he used to enter the room, as secret service agents were sure to be patrolling the hallway. As the young man climbed out, Coolidge left him with this admonition: "Son, you're a nice boy. You are better than you are acting. You are starting down the wrong road. Just remember who you are."
  It wasn't until after the death of Mrs. Coolidge in 1957 that this story was allowed to come out. It was first published in the "Los Angeles Times." And most interesting of all is that the President's notes show that the young man was indeed better than he was acting. He repaid the $32 loan in full.
• Pastor Keith then told us the parable of the Prodigal Son and reminded us that the son was at risk and that is why the Father ran out to greet him so quickly. The father wanted to protect the son from the villagers who know what the son had done.
• We were also challenged to consider which member of the story we identify most with.
• Also, we were given some thoughts from well known Disciples Preacher Fred Craddock, who sums up what most of us would say regarding the prodigal: "Yes, let the prodigal return, but to bread and water, not fatted calf; in sackcloth, not a new robe; wearing ashes, not a new ring; in tears, not in merriment; kneeling, not dancing."
• Pastor Keith reminded us that "The parable reminds us of the character of God--willing to rescue us in joy and with grace" and that we are called to emmulate God!

Have you been a "prodigal" member of this or another church? Have you been a "prodigal" from God? Come home! We're here to welcome you with open arms...and with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors. Come home to Court Street this week!