Last week one of the newscasts I often watch opened the program remarking that there was so much “Breaking News” that particular day it was difficult to keep up with all of it.

The rest of the program was an attempt to do just that; and as I listened to first one political crisis, natural disaster, or human tragedy follow another my mind shifted and I began to think of all the changes and adjustments every one of us is forced to make to on a daily basis depending upon the information coming into our lives.

It's a scenario straight out of a drama movie. You have been kidnapped and blindfolded. After some jostling and being moved from place to place, you finally rip off the blindfold and discover that you have been locked in a room with 10 other people. No, wait, there's an 11th "person" -- a zombie chained to the wall.

A voice over an intercom tells you that there is a key hidden in the room that will enable you to escape to freedom, but to find the key you must work with other people in the room to solve puzzles and put together clues to its whereabouts.

The Reading from the Hebrew Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6,13-18
The Gospel Reading: John 1:43-51

Today is my birthday, and this morning I am most grateful and glad to be alive. The historic cyclone bomb hurricane that hit New England and Hull last week significantly enhances my thankfulness for this particular birthday today.
I tried to describe the experience of vulnerability I experienced during the high tide of the storm and beyond in last week’s message. I continued to think about all these events throughout this week. This morning I am thinking about it all from the perspective of Human Relations Sunday, celebrated annually in the Church the day before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

“And are We Yet Alive?” After this last week I could not think of a better hymn with which to begin worship. I am grateful to be alive this morning, and though I try to feel that way every day, the hurricane, cyclone-bomb storm that hit us Thursday enhances the meaning and depth of my gratitude this morning.