I was all set to go. I had a topic for this "word from the pastor," and I was sure the topic was of pressing concern. I had outlined the essay, lined up relevant quotes, and was set to write it this afternoon. Then it happened. I screwed up.

This week has been a series of minor disasters, scheduling conflicts, and plain old bone-headedness. I was supposed to be at someone's home for an appointed visit. Preparations had been made; time and money and thoughtfulness had flowed from hearts and hands in anticipation. The time came. The time passed. Pastor Sam was a no-show. Pastor Sam was carrying on in the conference room, oblivious to the kindness others had put on display. I screwed up.

When another's visit to my office led me to realize my mistake, self-loathing filled my stomach like a sack of bricks. I don't usually do such things. Relying on a righteousness of my own, I pride myself on keeping it together. I've got an app for that; I've got an app for everything that will help me put my best foot forward. Nevertheless, a chink in my armor had appeared. I didn't have it together. I had fallen short. I called and apologized profusely. Even my phone call was strange. Surely, I didn't need to continue chaining apologies together; they got it the first time.

Then it happened. Rather than judgment, disappointment, or the tsk-tsk of a wagging finger, those involved showed kindness. They understood. In fact, they had understood before I had called to apologize. Before it had even dawned on me that I had fallen short and was in need of confession and forgiveness, my siblings in Christ loved me enough to look at me through the lens of charity. They had told themselves the best possible story about me and why I couldn't be there, making room for me despite my shortcomings. This is grace.

Then the pieces started to fall together. The essay that I felt was so pressing wasn't so pressing anymore. The definitive stance I was going to take on a pressing social, theological, and moral issue was less definitive. Who am I to stand with a finger pointed at another, when others were so ready to extend grace to me? I still believe what I believed about the pressing issue I was going to write about, but my heart had been softened by what others had extended to me. They had extended grace because, deep down, they knew that we are all beggars before God.

We are all beggars, and we are all adopted sons and daughters. Simul justus et peccator, righteous and transgressor at the same time. We are both sinners and saints with each and every tick of the clock. This strange working of grace that cradles us in the love of God despite our wretchedness is a mystery that ought to leave us speechless (and in some cases, essayless). We are loved, and because we are loved, we ought to love one another deeply. We ought to tell each other the best stories we can about one another because our stories are now told, now seen through a love that sees beyond the stains. God now sees us only through the lens of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

In the end, I was left speechless. Not wordless, mind you; I did get this essay pushed out! Awed and full of gratitude. What a great Father we have, what a glorious brother we have in Christ, and what wonderful family God has given us in one another. Glory be to God!

In Christ,

Pastor Sam

Bryan Loritts

The Children's Ministries will hold a Parents' Night Out from 6:00 to 8:30 on Friday, March 1, in the Education Wing. This event is for newborns through sixth graders. Please let Lilly Osborne know the number and ages of the children you will bring so that she can provide dinner and materials for all of them. To sign up, email Lilly at [email protected], call or text her at 423-383-5476, or use the Children's Ministries Facebook page.

Sunday's Early Worship

You can hear the songs we'll sing in the 8:30 service here.

 

Sunday's Late Worship

Participants: Pat Flannagan, Bob Greene, Sanctuary Choir.

	Sir Hubert Parry

Music: The anthem, "And All the Earth Shall Own Him Lord," was composed by Hubert Parry (1848 -1918). Set to a text by William Blake and Jeffrey Leach, this hymn tune gained wide appeal in the movie Chariots of Fire. It is found in our hymnal at #270 and #373. Parry was a much-acclaimed British composer who, with Vaughan Williams, led the British revival of choral music in the early 20th century with conscientious attention to text setting. This particular tune, Jerusalem, was considered Britain's unofficial national anthem during World War I. Parry was knighted in 1898 and made a baronet in 1903.

Organist's footnotes: All three organ pieces today are based upon our opening hymn, or rather all three organ pieces and our opening hymn are based upon the sturdy 17th-century German hymn "Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren": "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation." The composer is unknown, but this tune has inspired composers for centuries. I've chosen arrangements by three 20th-century composers (two dead, one living). Martin Shaw (1875-1958) was an English composer, conductor, and (in his early life) theater producer. His "Processional" (our prelude) is not so much an arrangement as a preamble leading into the hymn. Helmut Walcha (1907-1991) was a blind German organist who specialized in the works of the Dutch and German baroque masters. His arrangement (our offertory) begins playfully then changes to a canon between treble and bass voices. Wayne L. Wold (b. 1954) is Professor, College Organist, and Chair of the Music Department at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and Director of Music Ministry at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. His arrangement (our postlude) begins with an ostentatious introduction then settles into a quick, jocular, asymmetrical 5/8 meter (with occasional 6/8 and 3/4 meters), indicating "the Almighty" must have a good sense of humor!

Handbell Choir wants you: The sanctuary is full of good hearts, and twice as many ears; what we need is more hands! The Sanctuary Handbell Choir needs you to swing a bell every once in a while on a Sunday morning and every Wednesday evening at 6:15, when we practice in room 212. Come join a group of people who enjoy learning and making music together. Just email Bob Greene at [email protected] or ring him at 423-341-0378.

Sunday, February 24

8:30 a.m.       Worship, Fellowship Hall

9:45 a.m.       Sunday School

11:00 a.m.     Worship, Sanctuary

6:00 p.m.       Student Fellowship, Youth Wing

Monday, February 25

7:00 p.m.       Session of Elders, Room 123

Tuesday, February 26

10:00 a.m.     Staff Meeting, Room 117

10:00 a.m.     Morning Prayer Group, Conf. Room

6:00 p.m.       Venture Crew 3, Room 165

7:00 p.m.       Boy Scout Troop 3, Scout Wing

Wednesday, February 27

9:30 a.m.       Women's Bible Study, Room 117

5:00 p.m.       Baby & Toddler Care, Rooms 34 - 37

5:30 p.m.       Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall

6:00 p.m.       Wednesday Night Kids

6:00 p.m.       Middle School Gathering

6:00 p.m.       High School Small Groups

6:15 p.m.       Handbell Practice, Room 212

6:20 p.m.       Adult Learning

7:15 p.m.       Sanctuary Choir, Room 202

7:15 p.m.       Worship Team, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 28

7:00 a.m.       Men's Bible Study, Parlor

12:00 p.m.     Noon Bible Study, Room 117

Friday, March 1

6:00 p.m.       Parents' Night Out, Education Wing

Church Officers
Class of 2019	Class of 2020	Class of 2021
ELDERS
Anna Booher	Nancy Allerton	Ann Abel
Lee Galliher	Rebecca Beck	Randy Cook
Pete Holler	David Hyde	John Graham
Han Ong	Jordan Pennington	Katie McInnis
Pete Stigers	Jerry Poteat	John Vann
DEACONS
Sujean Bradley	Blake Bassett	Fred Harkleroad
George Linke	Rhonda Comer	Matt Kingsley
Greg Roberts	Ron Fox	Lisa McClain
Nate Sproles	Brenda Lawson	Drew Rice
Bill Whisnant	Barbara Thompson	Joyce Samuel
TRUSTEES
Nancy Cook	Peggy Hill	Jack Butterworth