Weekly Greeting - February 2, 2024
Dear Bethlehem Family,
In a short story by William Saroyan, a husband plays the cello and never changes notes. He plays the same note over and over again without variation. His wife is driven to distraction and finally protests, “Why do you play the same note over and over and over again? Other cellists play different notes.”
He replied, “Other cellists play different notes because they are trying to find the right one. I have found mine!”
It must be a wonderful thing to find just the right note. To find the right note must be like finding your purpose in life or landing where you need to be.
The Danish philosopher and theologian Soren Kierkegaard wrote a famous book called “Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing.” For Kierkegaard our true purpose in life can be found in loving and believing in God passionately. In other words, the one note we are all looking for is a close relationship with God.
In music, focusing on one note to the exclusion of all others will almost surely drive everyone around you up a wall; but finding the right note in life, and sticking with it, can be a true source of contentment and joy. I pray that all of us here at Bethlehem will find just the right note as we serve and worship God together!
Blessings,
Craig
In this week’s text from Mark 1:29-39, as we continue our worship series, Fresh Start: Make This Year Count, Jesus and the disciples have gone to the home of Simon Peter and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed sick with a fever and Jesus healed her. Later than evening the people of Capernaum brought many sick people to Jesus. He healed many of them of various diseases and drove out many demons. The next day, everyone was looking for him but he had gone to a deserted place to pray. The disciples sent Simon Peter and some others out to search for him. When they found Jesus, he began to correct their understanding of the nature of his call and ministry. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on Jesus’ encounter with his disciples and the people of Capernaum and what it might have to say about our spiritual journey.