Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21
Message: A Cold and Broken Hallelujah
“Learn from the nightshades they grow in the darkest places. Had we not been stung so many times would we ever have arrived at this Heaven on Earth that I don’t wanna waste.”
– Salt then Sour then Sweet by Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile
This Sunday Matt will be preaching on one of the most heartwrenching (though hope filled!) scriptural stories of our ancestors: Abraham’s servant Hagar’s dismissal with her young son to the desert. We know the end of the story – Ishmael will grow to be a great bowsman and the origin of the Islamic people. But we cannot get to the triumph without first sitting with Hagar in the wilderness; the literal details of her and her child’s starvation and near death. The words used to describe her cries to God are emotionally exhausting and deeply moving.
Indeed, much of our biblical stories include these cries of lament. The Psalms and so much of David’s story include literal cries to God “How long, O Lord? How long?” And yet, today, so many generations later, we remember this family to be the very roots of all that are in Christ.
How do we hold the suffering of today along with the Divine promise of this great eternal story of triumph and joy?
It is very possible that this is not at all what Matt is preaching on this Sunday but it IS EXACTLY what has sat heavy on my heart for the past many months and ALL I hear when I read Hagar’s story SO… join us this Sunday to hear Matt’s Word and then again on Sunday, June 5th when I DEFINITELY will preach on what it is to live in the moment of fear and suffering while also holding onto the promise of our Gospel (AND Matt and I will sing the song connected to the quote above!)
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Cheryl
Music:
Prelude: “Here I am, Lord” Dan Schutte
Meditation: “Ezhymni” ( My Mather) Music by S. Manzhigeev Lyrics by S. Anagabaev Sung by Marina Khankhalaeva, mezzo soprano
Postlude: “Sonata” Ludwig van Beethoven