DAILY DEVOTIONS

Wednesday, November 12

Pastor Mary Martha wishing you God’s peace today. 

This Sunday’s passage from Luke 20 showed us a conversation Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day about resurrection.   Please consider this insight about resurrection from African American theologian, professor, dean, …. Howard Thurman, who calls resurrection “the glad surprise.”

 It is as if a man stumbling in the darkness, having lost his way, finds that the spot at which he falls is the foot of a stairway that leads from darkness into light.  Such is the glad surprise.

Thursday, November 13  

Pastor Mary Martha praying to God for you today.

I would like to share with you a ministry moment from this week.   Hephatha Church was begun in 1913 (formation began in 1911).  Our church building is over 100 years of age.   The original steps to enter the side door on Locust Street have been in place for all these years….until this week.  This week those stairs were removed and new stairs were poured.  Bruce and his team were our team for this once in a lifetime project.   I think about all the feet that have walked up any of the steps at Hephatha.  All the food carried in.  All the caskets carried in and out.  All the children running up the steps.  The elders using the railings and now the lift.   The people who have sat on the steps of Hephatha to wait for a ride, to rest for a moment, to say a prayer.   This Tuesday I came in the sanctuary and one of the young men of our congregation was sitting at the altar step, having a moment of quiet prayer with God.   I am thanking God for all those steps taken by all of us together in our life of faith at Hephatha.  God bless you.