Dear Church Family,
Yesterday was quite the celebration with graduate recognition, Youth Sunday, and communion. Those kind of days help us to really see the impact we have on the next generation, but also the power of fellowship.Together we each have a place in God’s family. Whether you joined us in-person or through television or the streaming platform, we hope that you felt connected and blessed.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. It always falls on the second Sunday of May. While England began to celebrate mothers on a special day some time before the United States, Mother’s Day did not become an official holiday here until 1915. Its establishment was due largely to the perseverance and love of one daughter, Anna Jarvis.
Anna’s mother had given strength and support as the family made their home in West Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where her father served as a pastor. As a child, Anna had helped her mother tend the garden, mostly filled with white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower.
When Mrs. Jarvis died on May 5, 1905, Anna was determined to honor her. She asked the pastor at her church in West Virginia to give a sermon in her mother’s memory. On the same Sunday in Philadelphia, their pastor honored Mrs. Jarvis and all mothers with a special Mother’s Day service.
Anna Jarvis began writing to members of Congress, asking them to set aside a day to honor mothers. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The next year every state celebrated it.
One of the Bible verses I resonate strongly with is from 2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV), where Paul commends Timothy’s faith by recognizing the impact his grandmother and mother had on him: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
My history is that my grandmother, Dorothy Bodiford, had a strong impact on my faith development. My mother, Julie McDougal, has also been a great encourager and model of faith. So I especially celebrate these two on Mother’s Day.
Sometimes people have complicated relationships with their mothers. It can make Mother’s Day difficult. Others may be missing their mother, feeling grief more acutely on Mother’s Day, while others may lament the loss of a baby due to miscarriage or some other life tragedy.
Whatever you are feeling on Mother’s Day, I hope that you will remember especially the women who have helped your faith grow. This Sunday we will take a break from Jonah and focus on the story of the wedding at Cana, Jesus’ first miracle. My sermon will be called, “Learning from the Mother of Jesus.”
With love,
Pastor Brent McDougal
P.S. Don’t forget that we have a special called business meeting on Wednesday, May 14 starting at 5:45 to discuss our 2025-2026 proposed budget, This budget will run from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026. Together we are making an impact for the kingdom of God!