why this first sunday is better, too

The Service

Being there in person is always preferable for me!

On this Groundhog Sunday, I was there in person, not watching on the ether.

The online service had been my only option on the druge first Sunday.

Not this time!

That meant I was right there as Reverend Billy told us that he's taken up pickleball!!!

Apparently, the StarCastle on Mall Boulevard has the pickleball courts now, which makes me wonder if they still offer roller skating.

Anyway, here's the point of his sermon: pickleball is a sport that anyone can play.

Young, old; male, female; black, white, whatever; gay, straight, whatever.

The game was invented by a family on vacation who couldn't find the birdie for badminton.

True story!

So they still used the badminton net, but with wiffle balls and ping pong paddles, making up the rules as they went along.

True story!

And all the while that Rev. Billy was talking, he was standing in front of a pickleball net that was decorated with pickleball paddles and pickleballs.

I'm so glad I was there for all that!

i thank You, God.

Communion

Like the first Sunday of 2025, the first Sunday of the Chinese New Year was also the first Sunday of a new month.

That meant Communion!

As the flu and COVID-19 are both making the rounds, we celebrated Communion with the single-serve kits, the same as I'd used last month.

But here's the difference: I was with others.

Not only that, but I was seated near one of the sunlit stained-glass windows of Asbury Memorial Church, making the experience more spiritually satisfying.

Then, afterward, we sang one of the Spanish hymns I like, "Enviado Soy de Dios", which translates to "Sent I am From God".

Again I say, one of these days I'm going to shock everyone by singing the lyrics in Spanish, as they are so much prettier.

Te doy gracias, Dios.

 

BIG Coffee Hour

Last month, I missed out on the luncheon after the Sunday service, as that cannot be included on the youTube version.

No such issues this time!

Apparently quite a few had missed the earlier social opportunity, not just me!

There were sooo many desserts here!!!

But, as can be seen from my plate, I was careful to only eat vegetables, with just a little fruit and nuts.

I speak the truth!

Cornbread, carrot cake, carrot-raisin salad -

lots of vegetables!!!

Even when I returned to the laden tables, I made sure to make healthy choices again.

See what I mean?

More of that cornbread...

more of that carrot-raisin salad...

and peach cobbler!

Yes, indeed, plenty of fruits and vegetables on both of those plates!!!

My nutritionist will be so pleased...

or will she?

If naught else, she'll laugh about it!

Now, I'm going to finally get to check out J.U.S.T. and see what that faith-based advocacy group is all about.

Later!