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PASTORAL EPISTLE                   OCTOBER       2018

Twas battered and scarred,

and the auctioneer thought it
scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good folk?” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
“A dollar--a dollar—then two, only two--
“Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
“Going for three”--
but no--
From the room far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, “Now what am I bid for this old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars—and who’ll make it two?

“Two thousand—and who’ll make it three?
“Three thousand once—three thousand twice--
“And going—and gone,” cried he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not understand.
“What changed its worth?”
Swift came the reply,
‘And many a person with life out to tune

All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
Going once, going twice,
going and almost gone.
But the Master comes
And the foolish crowd never can quite
understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is
wrought
By the Touch of the Master’s Hand.
As we have experienced our annual ‘Auction’, I thought this reading/poem by Myra Brooks Welch very fitting as we reflect on our auction. Those who have contributed to the auction as well as those who bid on the items, well, we’re all a bit ‘battered and scared’, and yet, something does redeem us, or should I say SOMEONE has redeemed us, made us new again, so that we can make wonderful music!

In praise to the MASTER’S HAND!

Pr. Tom



















Jesus has a rather interesting encounter with the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 16 as they test him to give them a sign of what he is about, and what he has come to proclaim. His reply goes like this, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


‘The signs of the times.’ We pride ourselves in being from and living in Minnesota, where we get a full four season experience,


THANKS BE TO GOD! Pastor Tom