This recent cold snap reminds us how blessed we’ve been these past few years. Long Island has enjoyed a string of mild winters, with only the occasional light dusting of snow. This month’s weather quickly freezes the memory of those shovel-free seasons we’ve come to appreciate.
Mother Nature has challenged our worship attendance over the last two Sundays, and now forecasters are telling us to brace for yet another weekend storm. Whether the predicted nor’easter actually makes landfall remains to be seen. What is certain is the bitter cold—and at this point, it feels as if hell really has frozen over!
With temperatures stuck well below freezing, we may find ourselves looking for Elsa from the Frozen franchise or perhaps contemplating the strange weather patterns ushered in by climate change. But, dear friends, we have persevered through much worse.
Long Island has endured cold spells like this before. Multi-day stretches of temperatures below 20 degrees are rare, but not unprecedented. We survived similar frigid periods in the late 1960s through the late 1970s. The coldest day on record at MacArthur Airport was February 13, 1967, when the thermometer plunged to 14 degrees below zero. And January 1977 remains our coldest month ever recorded, with an average temperature of just 20.8 degrees. While this January will not break that record, the chill we’re experiencing is certainly below the usual 31–32 degree average.
So now, let’s warm our hearts.
Holy Scripture reminds us that, whatever the climate outside, we are blessed. This Sunday, February 1st, at 9:30 AM, we will hear Jesus teach the Beatitudes. Our Lord shares the Good News that warms the soul.
Join us for worship (please see the attached bulletin). And if the weather cooperates, we will also hold our annual congregational meeting to adopt the operating budget and honor the devoted ministers of our altar guild.
Stay warm. Stay blessed. Hope to see you Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
