Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to share with you what we discussed during our Zoom Coffee Hour on Sunday, August 16th.
First, I reread part of the Gospel according to Matthew that we heard earlier this during the Sunday service. I then asked a few questions regarding the reading.
Paddy Cockcroft, a longtime member of our church, mentioned a particular poem that she reads daily to slow herself down entitled, “Slow Me Down Lord” by Wilfred A. Peterson. (Full text below)
We also discussed Father Jay’s powerful sermon and some of the key messages that we picked up on. Sometimes, we need to slow down and go into the quiet places with God in order to be fully present and receptive to God. I encourage you to please believe that God is always walking with us even during the most difficult of times.
PAUSE
In closing, may God walk with you this day and always. May God be present with you through the joyful times and through the difficult times.
Amen.
Peace and love,
Deacon Lauren
Audio Recording
Listen to Deacon Lauren’s reflection.
“Slow Me Down Lord” by Wilfred A. Peterson
Slow me down, Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart
By quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision
Of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles
with the soothing music of the singing streams
that live in my memory. Help me to know
the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations
– of slowing down to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend, to pat a dog.
to read a few lines from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me
to send my roots deep into the soil
of life’s enduring values that I may grow
toward the stars of my greater destiny.
