Rev. Don Erickson

A Reflection directed at children and adults SABBATH POEM “In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of -- moments when we human beings can say "I love you," "I'm proud of you," "I forgive you," "I'm grateful for you." That's what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff.”  -- Fred Rogers REFLECTION “When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit. It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.” We could easily call Mr. Rogers, Rev. Rogers or Pastor Rogers. Why? Because Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. The Presbyterian church gives what are called charges. It is like a job a minister is given to do. Well, Mr. Roger's charge was to minister to chil...

READING: Ephesians 4: 21-27, 30-32 For surely you have heard about Christ and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus.22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by unhealthy desire and craving, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil [,the embodiment of selfishness and sin]… 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of our return to God. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ ...