Restored

Artist Reflection

By Lisle Gwynn Garrity, of A Sanctified Art

Saul doesn’t just persecute Jesus’ followers, he breathes threats and murder. His hatred fumes out of him like fire, perhaps a fire tended by fear—fear that his Jewish tradition will become impure or distorted, fear that the walls he’s built around who’s in and out will crumble, fear that his own hard-earned piety will diminish. He’s a force of terror, sculpted by self-sufficiency and self-righteousness. He’s a religious extremist not so unlike the ones we know of today.

Until God smacks him down, pulling his sight and self-reliance out from under him like a rug. God softens Saul’s steely heart by forcing him to confront those whom he harms, and by making him utterly dependent on relationship and others to survive. Perhaps Saul’s conversion is ultimately a radical healing—God soothes his fear and hatred with empathy and intimacy.

But this isn’t just a story about Saul’s transformation. His companions on the road to Damascus are changed too, as they hear the voice of the risen Christ and escort a stumbling Saul to the city. Ananias’ conversion is the most courageous of them all. He risks everything, including his own
life, to come close to one with the power to have him stoned. Only in the moments when Ananias’ fingers touch Saul’s eyes, does Saul see, for the first time, the image of the divine in one who is not his enemy, but his brother.

In this image, a halo hovers around the hand of Ananias, nodding to the sacred courage required to melt the hatred of his oppressor with intimacy and connection. Scales pour out of Saul’s eyes, purging him, cleansing him, igniting him with a new and particular mission: to pour out God’s grace wherever humans try to limit it.

This week at Hood:

Wednesday, September 2, 12 noon – Prayer & Inspiration
Thursday, September 3, 10:00 am – Ladles of Love Meal Distribution
Sunday, September 6, 9:30 am – “Unraveled” Series in Worship;
Sunday, September 6, All day (or day of your choice) – Trash pick up/Community Clean-up, Pick up your trash bags and gloves at church

Upcoming Events

1. Practicing Midrash–  This book was written by a good friend and mentor of Pastors Jason & Joanie, Rev. Dr. Tim Moore.  We invite you to join us for an engaging book study with the author.  Beginning, Sunday, September  13th, we will engage in a five week book study.  We will learn about the ancient practice of midrash and learn new ways to interact with the scriptures.  The author, Tim Moore will join us via Free Conference Call video.  There will be opportunities to participate in person or live online.  Books are available at the church office.  Please let Jason know if you’d like a book.  

2. September Super Sundays of Service–Each Sunday in September, we will have opportunity of service to our community that all ages can participate in.  As the dates approach, we will give more details about how you can participate and when and where supplies will be available for pick up. 

This week: September 6–Labor Day Weekend Trash Pickup
Come by the church on Sunday to pick up a trash bag and gloves for your family. You may choose a block that you would like to pick up trash or we can assign a block for you. This is a great way to serve our community and to do something special with your family. Your family can choose the time that works best for you. You can clean up sometime on Sunday afternoon or can choose another day of the week.

3.  Baby Book Shower-We look forward to welcoming a new baby in the church family in October. We have been praying for Rosemary Giberson and we can’t wait to welcome new life. We want to shower Rosemary and her family with lots of books and stories for her new baby. She wants to start a library for her little one. Bring your favorite children’s book to share or you may make a donation and we will go and buy books to start the book collection.