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So Governor Scott says that church buildings may be open for worship at 25%... I do believe that when we open, ALL will have a place to worship with the rest of us!
To open, we must have the okay from our Bishop of the NEUMC Conference and we must have a plan. So, we (Pastor and trustees') are working on this plan. Every person will need to wear a mask and refrain from handshakes and hugs... When the day comes... I WILL LET YOU KNOW A WEEK IN ADVANCE ~ SO EVERYONE CAN BE THERE! Until then, the lessons for May 31st are: John 7:37-39; Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; I Corinthians 12:3b-13 This Sunday is Pentecost... as Jesus' disciples huddled together in fear, the Holy Spirit entered their dwelling in rushing wind and tongues of fire. In that moment, the Church was born! Without Pentecost, the gospel would not have moved beyond the group of disciples huddled in the upper room. The power of God to create and renew life is the power of the Holy Spirit. May we have that "spirit" within us! A Prayer... Be among us in power... We within us in truth... Surround us in love... In Jesus' name... Amen!
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Joy flows through our readings for Sunday ~ May 24th, as the Easter season comes to a close with a vivid reminder that this is a season of celebration. Christ is risen! This Sabbath, Christ ascends to heaven. Even so, the Risen Christ is in our very midst, for we are the body of Christ, the resurrection community, called to rejoice as a church family. In and outside of the Methodist Church building, we should be a sign of God's glory for all to see!
Lessons for May 24th: John 17:1-11; Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10; I Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 As we near the time when we will be together again... we need to plan. If anyone feels ill in any way ~ they should not attend worship. Families should plan to worship together in the sanctuary with EVERYONE wearing a mask. It will be difficult, but we will have to refrain from human touch. As I have mentioned before, we will need to have face masks on hand ~ IF you know how to make these... please do. At the trustees' meeting last week, they voted on doing a major project, while we are not allowed to gather. Therefore, we need you to send your weekly pledge in to Karen - addressed to the church (10 Valley Street)... also, the May Mission is an extra gift to the church... please give! A Prayer: Loving God, we would serve thy glory by singing thy praise. We would serve thy Word by attending to thy Holy Book. We would serve thy will by doing some act for thy peace... Amen. Sixth Sunday of Easter and we find ourselves in the middle of May and still dealing with a pandemic...
Yet, God continues to make us smile... At least that is what we should be doing when it snows in the springtime! When we are told to stay home ~ stay safe, is it not beautiful to look out and be surprised as to what God is up to?!?! The weather is only one thing that assures me that the Spirit dwells among us. No matter where we are in our faith journey, God is present ~ even when we are unaware! May we always have the desire to be near our Creator. The scriptures for this coming Sunday, tells us that God is the one "in whom we live and breathe and have our being." Lessons for May 17th: John 14:15-21; Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; I Peter 3:13-22 The day is coming soon when we will gather once again as the family of God... I so look forward to that day... Until then ~ each of you are in my prayers. A Prayer: Keep us alive to thee, lest by our hardness we block our children's way or by our blindness lead them down the wrong road. Keep us faithful to thee, that we may be as a door opened to warm spring days, inviting them out into the fullness of life... Amen. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, Godmothers, foster mothers and all others out there!
Fifth Sunday of Easter is Mother's Day and the Festival of the Christian Home... we might ask, "What is a home?" At its best, it is a place where we are nourished, protected, and equipped to go out into the world.
Today's scriptures remind us that as Christians, we have a home in God. For Jesus promises to show us the way to God's house where there is room for all! Lessons for May 10th: John 14:1-14; Acts 7:55-60; I Peter 2:2-10; Psalm 31:1-5 On Mother's Day, my mother is in my thoughts with all the women that over the years have guided me in my journey of life... I am so thankful for all the Christian women that have been in my church families over the years... God's Blessings for EACH of YOU! Note: When we get back to worship... everyone will need a face mask... SO, if you know how to make these... perhaps you could be making them for us to have on hand. A Prayer: O God, we thank you for our mothers ~ for all those who mothered us when we were young. This Mother's Day, we pray for all mothers ~ for all who parent in these frantic times, difficult days. Loving God, be with the parents of today, that they might give their children what they need to find their own way to do Your will and to live in Your secure love... Amen. |
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