May 1, 2019December 17, 2019

Free Hugs

by in Reflections
Free Hugs

There are many events in the life of our chapel hap- pening in May: Mother’s Day, our bi-monthly Board of Governors meeting, Choir Sunday, our first cov- ered dish fellowship meal of the summer, our first 8 a.m. summer service, and Memorial Day. But before all these is our National Day of Prayer service at noon on May 2 in the Chapel. What an appropriate way to start the month and our summer season— in prayer.

The theme this year is Love One Another based on the words of Jesus in the upper room during the Last Supper that are recorded in John 13:34, which says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President of the National Day of Prayer, said in announcing the theme, “Love can change America.” And we certainly know— America needs changing! Dr. Floyd added, “From the church house to the state house and all the way to the White House, we need to learn to love one another.”

So if you are on the island during the first week of May, I invite you to come to the chapel on May 2 for a brief service of prayer for our nation starting at noon. We will be asking God to empower us and our fellow Americans with His love. A love that is patient and kind. A love that does not envy or boast. That is not proud or self-seeking. A love that is not easily an- gered or quick to keep a record of wrongs. A love that does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. That always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Cor. 13:4-7)

Indeed prayer is a powerful agent for change. So perhaps now more than ever in our nation’s his- tory, we need to follow Jesus’ command to love one another. As the Apostle Peter wrote, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins”. (I Peter 4:8)

Rich Pollock is a retired Presbyterian minister. He lives in Topsail Beach with his wife Julia. Both are active affiliates of Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel. Rich happily fills in at the pulpit when a weekly guest minister is unavailable to lead us in Sunday worship.