March 17, 2010
As I write this Family Email, it is St. Patrick’s Day. This is a day in which you will observe a lot of folks wearing green, even if they are not Irish. In Chicago, they even dye the river green. Then there are the parades of which probably the best known is the one in New York City. Add to these: eating corned beef and cabbage, telling stories of leprechauns and watching the John Wayne classic, The Quiet Man. Yes, all these are the traditions of St. Patrick’s Day. Beyond the traditions, though, is the story of the historic Patrick. The following is a summary of this mighty Christian leader who God used to bring the gospel to Ireland. This summary is based on the section on Patrick’s life in the outstanding book, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya – A Biographical History of Christian Missions by Ruth Tucker:
Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland, but in the Roman province of Britain around A.D. 389. His family members were Christians in the Celtic church, but young Patrick was not a believer.
As a teenager, Patrick was captured by Irish plunderers, taken to Ireland and sold as a slave.
It was during this time that Patrick came to faith in Christ. He wrote about his conversion with the words “The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelief, that, late as it was, I might remember my faults and turn to the Lord my God with all my heart…”
Patrick escaped slavery in Ireland and made his way home. Eventually, he experienced a vivid dream where he heard the voices of the Irish calling for him to return. He began religious studies to prepare for missionary service.
He went to Ireland in A.D. 432 and took up the ministry for which he is known today. It is said that he planted “two hundred churches” and baptized “one hundred thousand converts.”
He refused to take glory for his life’s work and gave that glory to God. He referred to himself as “Patrick, the sinner, an unlearned man to be sure” and said any good thing that came from him was “the gift of God.”
So remember the historical Patrick in your “wearing of the green” and thank the Lord for this dedicated servant whose life God touched and used in such a mighty way.
A full weekend is before us at SHCC. Friday and Saturday, a group will be attending the annual NW Ministry Conference for training and inspiration at Overlake Church. Friday evening, at 7:00p.m., the ladies of SHCC will hold their Women’s Spring Gathering with special speaker, Elaine Smith. Saturday morning, the men will gather for their monthly Men’s Breakfast at the Hangar Inn at 8:00a.m. with Bruce Johnston sharing a testimony. Sunday’s Service will feature a study of Revelation 19 where John writes about the 2nd Coming of Christ, a message you will not want to miss. Then, Sunday afternoon, our softball team plays a tournament at Heritage Field #3 (by Zeiger Elementary and Rogers HS). The Elders will wrap up this busy weekend with their monthly meeting at 5:30p.m. Now who says church is boring!
God bless you!
Pastor Mike Laramie
