Pastor Bill’s Blurb for 03/26/2020

I realize that this is not a very “pastoral” or “theological “blog” but just a blurb. During a difficult time like this I want to make sure we don’t lose our sense of humor. In my next blurb I will be a bit more serious but as for now here is a bit of humor. I hope this will make you laugh or at least smile a bit.

Good News / Bad News For a Pastor

Good News: You baptized seven people today in the river.

Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current

Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks.

Bad News: You were on vacation.

Good News: The young people of the church paid you a visit

Bad News: It was in the middle of the night and they were armed with toilet paper and shaving cream.

Good News: The church council has agreed to send you to the Holy Land for study.

Bad News: They are waiting for a war to break out before sending you.

And finally my friends I have a little puzzle I would like to share with you. I long time ago a very good and kind person, (he was a coach) gave me the following advice for good living. I am putting it in code and I would like you to figure out what it means. They are the first letter in the little phrase he offered me. If you can figure it out let me know by giving me a phone call or text. There might even be a prize for the winner. Here is the little phrase.

K Y S O T I & K Y H U

Well good luck with that! I want you to know that I am praying for you and trying to keep in touch with you via the phone. If you want to chat just give me a call. I am in my office at church every day which is a good thing or else I’m sure I would be getting on Joanie’s nerves far too much.

God bless you and keep you.

P B

“Every Need . . . “ Wednesday thoughts from Pastor Tom

Seems like people have lots of needs these past few weeks. Especially cleansing wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, (oops, did I really say toilet paper?) and a need to “Stay at home . . . shelter in place.”

So, in the midst of this unprecedented time of needing to “Shelter in Place” to keep this highly contagious virus from spreading, I need shelter, I need a safe place. Where is my safe place?

Cleansing wipes and hand sanitizers and toilet paper may meet some of my daily needs, but they don’t answer the question “What do I really NEED? Where is my safe place? Where does my help come from?” They have no impact on what is at the heart of the matter: Worry, fear, anxiety, stress, sleepless nights, lack of peace.

The Psalmist saw it this way: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2

The Psalmist continues to speak words of assurance about the protection that God gives, using words like “Shelter, and shield, and deliver, and rescue, and satisfy.” At this time of global pandemic (COVID 19), this Psalm speaks about God’s power, presence, intentions, and protection against fear. Described as a covering for His people, God’s comfort is a wing of security as we deal with this world’s uncertainties and suffering.

Paul, writing to the church of Philippi from prison, gives a very simple answer to that question: Where is my safe place? In whom do I need to take shelter? He too answers by pointing to that same person the Psalmist pointed to hundreds of years before: “And MY God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV).

MY GOD

ALL YOUR NEEDS

IN CHRIST JESUS.

Let’s keep our focus where is needs to be not only during this season called LENT, but every season of life! “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen!” (Philippians 4:20)

A Note From Trudy

Home. They don’t call it sweet for nothing. It has all the warm feels. There’s no place like it! I have always said one of my favorite things to do is to stay home. So, you know how they say, “Be careful what you wish for…you just might get it?” I think we’re there.

In these crazy, unprecedented days of executive orders, I have to be honest, the staying home part is not that hard for me. The hard part is not being with people!! We are so used to being together with our families, our friends, our church family, and our neighbors….We’re used to greeting each other with hugs and handshakes. We’re used to picking up our grandchildren for kisses and snuggling up to read stories.

But in the last 2 months, things have changed and we have to find new rhythms, (as Pastor Tom would say.) We need to have a new normal, and a new structure in our days. So, I decided to follow Pastor Tom’s challenge to pick one of the gospels and read it through. I chose Matthew and I’m about halfway through it. I recently found one of my old Bibles that I used during high school and college. I am using it for this reading of Matthew, partly because the format is easy to read, and it’s large print! But also because it’s fun to read all the notes in the margins.

Staying home isn’t so bad. There is more time to read, for one thing. As I go through the gospel of Matthew, I am rereading the Beatitudes we just studied as a church family. I reread the parables of Jesus that we just learned in my Pre-K Children’s Worship class. I’m reading about the many miracles Jesus performed of healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, and calming the storm.

It seems that we could all use a big, gigantic miracle about now. I have a feeling that there are miracles happening all over the world, and some day soon we will begin hearing about them. Our preschoolers love to sing the song, “My God is SO BIG, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do!” Let’s hold that song in our hearts and minds as we live through one day at a time, at home or wherever we are. Our God has us all in His hands.

Trudy

Council Corner weekly

In efforts to stay connected and encouraged, we thought daily emails from the staff and council would be a welcome reminder from church. Despite our situations we need to remember that God is in control.

How many people remember the TV show “Are you smarter than a 5th grader”? In that show comedian Jeff Foxworthy has a small group of 5th grade students and a contestant that is trying to win money answering 5th grade school questions. I have learned after trying to help my own kids do their homework even before this new home school movement started, I would not make any money on that show. Look up the show on YouTube, the questions are tough. So is schoolwork at any grade level.

Through all of this, after one week, I have found the silver lining.

1. Teachers are wonderful, and are a gift from God.

2. Be thankful for the technology we have, this could be a totally different experience.

3. God has been preparing us and continues to guide us through this no matter how long it lasts.

The post high group is studying a book by Andy Stanley called Ask It. In his book Andy asked a simple question. “In light of my past, current and future experiences what is the wise thing to do?”

I know that wherever we are and whoever we connect with we can focus on the blessings we have, and point people to the One who provides a peace that passes all understanding. This is the wise thing to do.

Philippians 4:6 reminds us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Andrew Glerum

***Please reach out to us if you need any help, just not schoolwork help.***