Thursday, March 26, 2026

Let There Be Light

“You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Sunday’s service was about (salt and) light. Pastor David spoke about this in his message. The choir sang an anthem entitled “Let it Shine!” and the lyrics of the hymns included words like “this little light of mine” and “It only takes a spark to keep a fire going…”

Last week our church hosted almost 20 unhoused women for dinner, conversation, a cozy bed, and breakfast before heading back to Cass Community Center. This ministry and its outreach offer support to homeless women in transition who are seeking new futures. While one week is not a huge amount of time, it does require intense planning and preparation in order for it to be successful. On Tuesday of last week, the power went out at 1 AM and quickly the church was COLD. There was a flurry of “Plan B” discussion. Memorial Church, scheduled to bring in dinner that evening, graciously offered to host dinner at their church but could not host guests overnight due to the fire Marshall’s restrictions. We knew that something would need to be in place by 4 PM in the event the power did not come on. There was no alternate plan and we prayed fiercely for answers. God responded. Power WAS restored by 4:00 and we were able to host our guests for dinner and overnight as planned.

Admittedly we worried our “light would be hidden under a basket”…we feared our plans would be ruined. But, God had our backs – and as the lights and heat came on we rejoiced and gave thanks that we could carry on. After a brief setback, we “lifted our lights” …so they could continue to shine. While our week offered comfort and hopefully peace for our guests, we as God’s children, realized the privilege of helping others. It was our time to shine that light – and thankfully we could do that.

Marcia Wright

Saturday, March 30, 2024

All In

Read: Matthew5:14-16

My neighbor George is a constant source of inspiration, entertainment, and wonder for me. I have been blessed to live next door to George and his wife, Anna, since 1996. Both George and Anna are of Greek heritage. This devotion will focus on George. Anna deserves her own devotion, something to create for next year’s booklet.

Back to George. We have become great friends over the years. Sharing joint custody and long walks with my dogs, Campbell and Molly (Anna is afraid of dogs), we have had many animated discussions on all sorts of topics. What I really enjoy and admire about George is that he is “All In.” He does nothing half-way. His curiosity about the world, his love of family, his love of God, and his amazing zest for life have been a blessing for me to witness.

He is a devoted member of two local Greek Orthodox churches in the area. One, the church of his youth, and the other his wife Anna’s church. He shares his time and talents with both churches through choir, committee participation, and volunteer efforts on projects. He follows the fasting protocols of his church. I have learned so much from discussions with him about his faith and the unique features of the Orthodox religion. We share our concerns and pray for each other. Sometimes I give George a list, and he will light candles and say prayers for those who are dear to me.

As I mentioned, George is very devoted to his family. His daughter has three sons. George and Anna took care of each son at their home until they entered pre-schools or kindergarten. His relationship with those small boys was so beautiful to witness. He played with them, took them swimming, built projects with them, took them to the library, took them to church, and created a farmers’ market on his lawn with produce from his garden. As they have grown older, he attends all their sporting events. He has taken them on special trips to Lego Conferences, and to see Messi (the soccer player) play. They love their Papou and will have so many wonderful memories to cherish that they can share with their children and grandchildren.

George’s love of life and learning shines through in everything he does. He was an engineer before he retired, a perfect profession for his passion for information, order, and detail. He works diligently and lovingly in his vegetable garden each year. He likes nothing better than to be in his overalls and boots, planting, weeding, and harvesting. Every Halloween, George lines his porch with multiple pumpkins which he gets from Eastern Market. He delights in hiding from the trick-or-treaters and jumping out to scare them before handing out treats. George is an active participant in life. He is a role model for me, even though he can be exhausting at times!

Christ asks us to be “All In.” “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Nancy Grose

March 18, 2023

Shining Lights

Read: Matthew 5:14-16

When I was a young kid, we lived on a court – a street that actually was a circle, but with two exits. It meant that there was little traffic on our street other than locals coming and going, and that we could ride our bikes and play pretty much unsupervised until the streetlights came on. Yes, I was a bit of a free-range child.

Anyway, I remember one evening, as I rushed home in the newly-streetlit gloom, seeing a cat under a car – looking at me with bright, glowing eyes. That was pretty darned freaky – beams of light coming out of a creature’s eyes!

Well, Dad explained to me that cats had AA batteries in their tails, and that's how their eyes glowed so brightly in the dark. As evidence, he showed me batteries from the kitchen drawer.

It couldn't have been clearer, or more obviously true.
(I wonder if I have ever explained that to Christian.
I'll have to ask.)

I told you that to tell you this. No, we don’t have AA batteries stuffed in our thumbs or wherever; instead, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. His presence lets us reflect the Light of God, lets us shine, so we can be the Light of the World.

Now it’s up to us to be the Light in a dark, sullen, and frightened world. To shine God’s Light so each person we meet can see where we’re going, who we are … Whose we are. And maybe they’ll want that light too. Just remember to tell them Who gave it to you!

Charlie van Becelaere

March 6, 2023

How’s Your Corner?

Matthew 5:14-16 reads:“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”

As I was working on the sermon for Feb. 5th, I got an ear-worm. You know, that song or piece of a song that seems stuck in your head? I’d try to sing it out, but it would come right back, I tried to sing something else to replace it, but before I knew it, I’d be humming and singing it again! So, I’m going to share it with you!
the chorus goes:

“Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!”

This song was written by Ina Ogdon. Ina was a talented speaker who was invited to go on the Chautauqua Circuit and speak for Christ. She was thrilled by this invitation and so excited to go. However, when it was time for her to leave, her father was seriously injured in an automobile accident and she felt it necessary to care for him instead of going on the speaking circuit. In her crushing disappointment, she found herself full of rage and resentment toward God, whom she blamed for her circumstances. Gradually, she decided she would be happy in her current circumstances and try to brighten the corner where she was. In 1913, she penned this poem reflecting her attitude.

What a good thought for us! We choose our attitude and choose how to shape our corner of the world. We can reflect an Eeyore attitude of gloom in our corner, or we can reflect the light of Christ and brighten our corner. How’s your corner?

Maybe I should keep this ear-worm, in case you want to join me, here are the verses:

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the Bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Pastor Pam Wells – CGUMC