by Anne Robertson | Nov 13, 2020 | Conversations
Veteran’s Day is a time we often think about courage. We almost never talk about the men and women in uniform without adding the word “brave.” But military service is not the only place we find bravery, and courage comes in many forms. There are those who run into physical danger to save another without batting an eye but who buckle when trying to summon the courage to ask for help themselves.
It takes deep wells of courage to face a life-altering disease, to admit we were wrong, to leave home, to speak truth to power, to become vulnerable enough for real relationship, to live with grief, to turn the other cheek. For many it takes enormous courage just to get out of bed and face a new day.
The call to courage comes to all of us in many forms throughout our lives. But how do we get there? How do we actually develop the courage to face what a life of faith asks of us? That’s what we’ll talk about on Sunday. Join us!
Blessings, Anne
by Anne Robertson | Nov 8, 2020 | Sermons
Leaving home is hard, whether we are leaving our physical or metaphorical home. But there comes a time when we all need to do it; and, when we do, we can find the courage to walk out the door into a new world through love. The story of Ruth shows us what that looks like.
Watch or Read
Text: Ruth 1:11-19a; John 15:9-17
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on November 8, 2020.
by Anne Robertson | Nov 6, 2020 | Conversations
As we come to the end of a tumultuous week, let us breathe and consider the words written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta and widely attributed to her:
People are often unreasonable and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten;
Do good anyway.
Give the world your best and it may never be enough;
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Blessings,
Anne
by Anne Robertson | Oct 30, 2020 | Conversations
Many people associate the word “saints” with special people and martyrs formally canonized by the Church; but that practice didn’t begin until the 10th century. In the Bible and during the first thousand years of the Church, all believers were referred to as “saints.” Protestant churches have kept that tradition, and culture has blended the two to refer to anyone who has made great sacrifices or has otherwise shown great love and perseverance.
November 1 is the day on the Church calendar that we celebrate all the saints, whether they have been formally recognized or not. It is often a time when churches remember those from their congregations who have died and when we are encouraged to remember those who helped to shape our faith, both individually and collectively.
At the Blessing of the Saints outdoor service on Sunday we will be doing all of that; and we also will be recognizing one or more special saints in our own lives by dedicating our 2021 pledge to Crawford in their honor. During that special moment on Sunday, the church doors will be open and we will return our pledges to the altar in the sanctuary. More details below.
Come join us Sunday at 10:00 am for this special service of honor and remembrance, and take your place in a new generation of Crawford saints.
Blessings,
Anne
by Anne Robertson | Oct 25, 2020 | Sermons
New wineskins, new cloth, new birth–they’re all different ways of seeing and describing what’s needed both externally and internally for spiritual transformation to happen. Want a different take on what it means to be “born again?” This is it.
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Texts: Mathew. 9:14-17; John 3:1-10
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church by Rev. Anne Robertson on October 25, 2020.
