New forms of worship

I have been meaning to write and tell you how grateful I am for the Sentinel. Each issue so effectively addresses current issues, and includes practical and inspiring ways in which people have experienced healing through prayer. It is easy to share the Sentinel with others.

I am especially grateful for the articles and news items the Sentinel publishes about other religions and forms of worship. They are not only informative, but show me how universal the Christ is. In the "Items of interest" column in the January 26 issue, I enjoyed reading "'Emerging churches' offer myriad forms of worship." The item states in part: "Defining a church as emerging can be difficult because such groups take so many forms.... Throughout its history, evangelical Christianity has shown it can change with the times, altering methods but not the message."

I am reminded of something Mary Baker Eddy said in her Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896: "God is universal; confined to no spot, defined by no dogma, appropriated by no sect. Not more to one than to all, is God demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and Love; and His people are they that reflect Him—that reflect Love" (p. 150).

Shirley Jones
Elsah, Illinois

Letting the Bible lead

"Getting to the heart of the matter" by Barbara Weigt in the January 26 issue was very calming and soothing. I have reread the article several times, and it always has the same quieting effect. I loved her idea of being led by a Bible verse for the whole year. Having it meet all our needs. Reassuring us of God's love and presence. Thank you to all the contributors for sharing their experiences and growing understanding of our relationship to God.

Cynthia Beavers
West Hartford Connecticut

Everyday opportunities

As a Sunday School teacher of 9-to-12-year-olds, I make an effort to focus on one segment of the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson-Sermon during each class. We discuss the characters, place them historically, and look for an illustration of one of the Ten Commandments or one of the Beatitudes in the segment.

On January 25 we discussed Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman. Afterwards, when I asked if any commandment was relevant, we said the ninth one: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor," because Jesus did not go along with the general practice of the Jews having no dealings with the Samaritans.

How grateful I was the following week to find in the Sentinel Watch Kurt Shillinger's account of his dealing with corruption in South Africa ["You can face down corruption," February 2]. He cited the Ninth Commandment as part of his reasoning in correcting the way he was thinking about the police officials.

I read parts of this article to the class on the following Sunday. It was refreshing to show that our everyday encounters afford opportunities to bring divine law to bear on our dealings.

Joan Rapaport
Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Timely guidance

I am overjoyed at receiving these last two issues, the February 9 on giving and the February 16 on transitions guided by God. They came along, just at the right time, with so many good ideas to keep me on the right track.

I am a caregiver/companion, and have been helping others for the last 14 years. Currently I am also in a position of transitioning to another job by the end of the month, even though I do not know exactly what, or where, it will be. I have learned to trust God, and to listen for His answer, His direction. I know God is the Giver of all good, and my transition will be natural and complete.

James C. Purdon
Basking Ridge New Jersey

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Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Christian Science Sentinel.

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