Monthly Minute with Pastor Andrew

Hello to all the Monthly Minute readers of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church!

Saint Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17.

In Patrick's autobiographical Confessio, he writes that when he was about sixteen, he was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland. He writes that he lived there for six years as an animal herder before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he returned to spread Christianity in northern and western Ireland. In later life, he served as a bishop, but little is known about where he worked. By the seventh century, he had already come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland. (from the Wikipedia page for Saint Patrick)

As we take some joy and fun from the color green (and perhaps even leprechauns and pots of gold) this March, I invite us to remember the story of the man behind the day. 

Saint Patrick was a missionary, pastor, and church leader. He also stands as a wonderful example of sharing God’s love, even when it is hard.

Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” Patrick was kidnapped into slavery in a foreign land, and after escaping, returned to that land and people, not with revenge, but with compassion and a desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ!

Where might we be able to share God’s love this month?

Blessings, Rev. Andrew Wirt

Pastor Andrew Recommends

Hymns We Love

by Steve and Pippa Cramer

available in RightNow Media

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/westhempfieldpc

Description: The series comprises five video sessions. Each one tells the story of the hymn writer, how the hymn came to be, and the Christian message behind it. Across the five sessions, Hymns We Love will help bring the core truths of the Christian story alive in a way that is gentle, warm and clear.

The video sessions also feature beautiful renditions of the hymns, filmed in a historic English village church, along with testimonies and prayers.

There are also three introductory sessions: for Christmas and for Easter and a third which can be used at any time of the year.