A Prayer and An Invitation
It’s been a busy, full season going into summer at the Mason household. Two graduations down, one to go! I am presently in Debordieu “Debidue,” South Carolina with my son Percy and my parents. We are riding bikes, eating shrimp and grits, catching red fish, and collecting our very first shark teeth on the beach.
It has been a strenuous last couple of months and I am channeling Mary Oliver who proclaimed, “I got saved by the beauty of the world!”
But first, I am preaching THIS SUNDAY on surprise, surprise—HOPE!
It never gets old to me. And I seem to need hope more than ever. Most people believe hope comes easy for me. If you only knew how I scrape the bottom of the barrel of life for any glint of hope for myself and those I love. I am currently in a season of rewriting my definition of hope. I am looking for proof that what Paul said in his Letter to the Romans, “hope does not disappoint,” is true and can be trusted. Maybe my own soul-searching resonates with you. If so, pull in the parking lot this Sunday at 9:30 am at Woodmont Christian Church. I’ve invited some special musical guests, because music has always been a hope-expander for me!
June 8, 2025
Hello, Hope!
A homily by Farrell Mason
9:30 am
Woodmont Christian Church
3601 Hillsboro Road
Nashville, TN
I would also like to share a prayer I wrote recently to encourage a posture of hope going into the week.
Oh God!
Search my heart,
See the chambers of darkness,
where the furniture is threadbare, and the conversation stale.
Throw open the curtains,
find Doubt a new place to reside.
Let joy have the run of this house.
Wake up Your morning stars,
I want to hear the music again.
Hope is the owner of this house.
Amen.
Daphne Butler
June 2, 2025 at 5:42 amBeautiful poem, Farrell!!
I wish we were in town this Sunday. I will try and tune in online. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and images of hope (and love)!!! I will ponder this theme today.
❤️❤️❤️
Pauline Keith
June 2, 2025 at 5:50 amWell you know who will be bringing a box of tissues. I sat in my new church in SC this past Sunday and couldn’t see the faces for my tears. So I am going to come listen to my favorite HOPE friend this Sunday and wawlk away filled with a new sense of HOPE for my new life.
PATTY JOHNSON
June 2, 2025 at 7:49 amI end of all emails with a quote by Norman Cousins:
The capacity for Hope is most significant fact of life.
PATTY
June 2, 2025 at 7:53 amI end all emails with a quote by Norman Cousins:
The capacity for Hope is the most significant fact of life.
We recently moved to Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Home and our apartment building is named Hopewell.
Jade Forlidas
June 2, 2025 at 8:38 amDear Farrell,
You always touch the remnant of hope in each soul, and nourish it so it comes to life again! Thank you for the beautiful images of loving family, and lovely prayer.
My favorite quote on hope-
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops- at all-
Emily Dickinson 🕊️
Sallye Galloway
June 2, 2025 at 8:54 amYou may remember that HOPE is “my word” – it provides me with a desire of anticipation, trust, confidence, a reliance on better days to come.
Hope is like a golden cord connecting me to heaven. This cord helps me hold my head up high even when multiple trials are buffeting me .
Jesus Listens by Sarah Young
Hope gives wings to the soul. It changes the way we perceive the world. When we have hope our spirits are renewed, and we have reason to rejoice. Hope is a matter of the heart; for with hope we see things differently, positively and joyfully.
The Bible Promise Book, by Karen Moore
And Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.”
Anonymous
June 2, 2025 at 10:03 amThank you, Farrell. I look forward to being there Sunday to hear your latest encouragement for hope and hear the music you have planned. You are always such a source of encouragement for many things. I would never guess that you struggle with this, but I believe you.
Carol Barre
June 5, 2025 at 6:16 amWe all loved seeing you at Debordieu !!
Layfayette landed there during the revolution. He said it was so beautiful it must be the border land of God.. In French Debordieu.