Scripture – NRSV
Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5 –
And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Psalm 67 –
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
John 5:1-9 –
After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.
Now that day was a sabbath.
Bob’s thoughts:
We went for the early service so we could get on the road back to Pittsburgh. It turned out to be an intimate service in a side room with a dozen seats. When we walked into the empty sanctuary, I assumed we were the first ones there and went on an excursion to find the restroom. I eventually found it and then found the area where the service was being held.
The pastor related how FDR went to soak in Warm Springs and I think anyone who has relaxed in a hot tub of water can relate. I was remembering when we were first overseas, before the showers were built, how great it was to go clean up in the rain. The rejuvenation was similar to being washed in the Blood of the Lamb.
He referred to those who were healed when they were able to get into the water while it was roiled, and I think we are healed by helping them into the pool. God has used me as a way to bring His healing touch to those in need, and when it happens, it also washed over me.
I hope when we are back in the area we will be able to worship at the later service.
Jan’s thoughts:
We were visiting with family in Richmond and were able to stay and worship with them at their church. In the interest of time, we opted for an 8:30 a.m. service. Our hosts explained it would be small, and that was the case.
The building appears to have been built in 1901, and the church is even older than that. As we walked through the sanctuary, we appreciated the intricate, brightly-colored stained glass, the lovely marble, and extensive woodwork. The service was held in the chapel off to the side of the sanctuary, and we arrived just as it got underway.
It was a blessing to sit next to my sister-in-law, as she was able to guide us through the somewhat unfamiliar liturgy. I appreciated that the congregation was asked to stand during the reading of the Gospel.
According to the website, the sermon title was Every Child of God. He began by comparing the pool at Bethsaida with Warm Springs, Georgia, where President Franklin Roosevelt went for treatments of his chronic polio pain. He then pointed out the importance of water throughout Scripture: Jacob wrestled with God near the water, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, Moses was rescued from the currents of the Nile, and Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Water is known for healing, nourishing, and giving life.
He asked how many in the Church today, like the paralyzed man Jesus healed, are in pain and wondering if anyone cares enough to help. He stated that the Church is a human institution (I’m sure he meant populated by humans, not created by them), and it is our job to make sure everyone has access to the healing, life-giving water of God’s love.
We participated in Communion, which appears to be celebrated weekly, and appreciated the opportunity to meet and speak with the priest and members following worship.
Our prayer for this church:
Heavenly Father, we pray Your servants in Your Church always take to heart the cries of those in pain. Amen.
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