Friday January 23, 2015

An eNote from Rodney

Dear Trinity Congregation,

I enjoy going to the movies.  You may have picked up on that from the movie references I use in my sermons.  I like everything from arty movies to science fiction.  One of the most entertaining movies I saw last year was a science fiction movie with a talking, blaster- wielding, wise-cracking racoon.  I’m looking forward to seeing “Selma” and “American Sniper”.  One area of the movies I am not familiar with is children’s movies.  Last Saturday Cheryl and I took our granddaughter Morgan to see a nice movie titled “Paddington Bear”.  I am a bit anxious as I see my movie viewing future going in a new direction.   

One interesting little fact I learned while hanging out in Duke Chapel during my Divinity School days was that the art of stained glass was refined in Scandinavian countries where the sky is often overcast and dark.  Because of that condition, Scandinavian artists developed colored glass that could glow vibrantly with little sunlight. This quality is the sign of very good stained glass.  This morning I was walking through our sanctuary.  The sun was just coming up and the sky was overcast.  Still, our stained glass windows had beautiful color to them.  The reds and blues and whites glowed with a deep intensity.  Our building never ceases to inspire. 

Since the beginning of the year I have been trying to preach sermons that have a personal tone to them.  We have talked about starting the year right and starting the day right with Kirk Byron Jones’ morning B.R.E.W.  We talked about the blessing of stillness.  On this Sunday I will attempt to talk about gratitude, where it comes from and how it can shape us.  My scripture will be 2 Corinthians 4:15-18.

A note about our bathroom renovations; we are waiting for an ADA approved vanity for the downstairs handicapped accessible bathroom.  We have been told it will ship on Monday and arrive Thursday or Friday of next week.  The arrival of this piece of equipment should allow the project to be completed.

Thank you for the food items you brought to Little Red Wagon Sunday last week and thank you for all that you do to bless our congregation and neighborhood.  I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning for worship.

Sincerely,

Rodney
rodhagans@gmail.com