This Sunday.

When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
–Genesis 21.15-20

• Whom do you look to for hope when you have trouble finding it? What provides comfort for you when you’re sad or depressed?
• I wonder what your future will look like? Do you imagine what your life will be in ten years?
• Is it Hagar’s weeping or the boy’s weeping that God hears? Does it matter?
• Ishmael means “God will hear;” what would you like God to know?

We’re often tempted to think we don’t matter or no one cares.  This story of Hagar and Ishmael cast out of their home and left to an uncertain fate in the wilderness challenges that notion.  We form relationships and create community so that when we have trouble finding hope, finding our way, finding a place to belong we can count on others hearing us and responding.

Join us Sunday at 6 pm on Zoom (Download Bulletin) to find a community that embraces uncertainty in life and yet looks to one another for companionship and belonging in the hope of God who hears our cries.

–Thomas