Margie Miller shared this with Jenny this morning, Jenny shared it with me, I’m sharing it with all of you. Blessings.
Color Your Own Palm Branch
This morning Jenny talked about a palm branch you can color and cut out for next Sunday (Palm/Passion Sunday, April 5, 2020). You can find that on the church’s downloads page.
Coloring Pages for 3/29
Below is a link to some coloring pages from Illustrated Ministry that match the scripture readings for tomorrow.
Closed to Better Love Our Neighbor
This morning, I went down to the church, refilled the little free pantry, and posted the signs pictured below. I know that not all churches are following the same course of action, but I believe that this is the best way for our congregation to love our neighbors as ourselves during this time of crisis. If I were a medical professional, I would want folks to isolate themselves to “flatten the curve.” If I were a member of a vulnerable population, I would want people to stay home to reduce the chance that I would contract COVID-19. We’re working from home, broadcasting and streaming our worship services, and meeting by Zoom video conference to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Bulletin for Tomorrow
There is a bulletin for tomorrow’s “The United Methodist Home Companion” up on the church website. It’s embedded in a page and available as a PDF.
Standing Together Six Feet Apart
The United Methodist Building is the only non-governmental building on capital hill. Their signs are almost always witty but profound. The latest iteration reads: “Standing together in solidarity six feet apart.”
A Prayer for Faith in Anxious Times
In this time of high anxiety, I wanted to share a prayer from one of my favorite theologians, Soren Kierkegaard:
“Teach me, O God, not to torture myself, not to make a martyr out of myself through stifling reflection, but rather teach me to breathe deeply in faith.” [1]
May you breath deeply in faith.
[1] Soren Kierkegaard, The Prayers of Kierkegaard, Edited and with a New Interpretation of His Life and Thought (Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press, 1956), 36.
The Youth Group Met Yesterday
Yesterday, March 25, 2020, the Youth Group met together remotely via Zoom. Zoom is a service that allows for a group of up to 100 people to video conference via their computers, tablets, or phones. Those without internet access can call in from a touch-tone phone. The youth all had a good time and will meet this way while the COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Wendy Robinson is looking at doing the same thing with the children who normally attend Power and Light. Stay tuned.
A Heads Up: Clark Will Be Calling
Jenny and I have been concerned about someone in the church falling through the cracks during this crisis. We have therefore asked Clark Williamson to call everyone whose phone number appears in the church’s contacts directory. Be sure to let him know if there is something you need.
Correction: I corrected the spelling of Clark’s last name.
Livestreaming Communion
If you took the “This Holy Mystery” study on Holy Communion a while back, you might remember that there are certain specific requirements for celebrating Holy Communion and that some of these requirements cannot be met with online communion.
Well, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Following the lead of our Bishop, we’ll be celebrating communion via the livestream, not this Sunday (March 29, 2020), but the first Sunday of next month (April 5, 2020).
I’m giving you this heads up so that you can make arrangements for bread and grape juice, if possible. If you can’t make arrangements for bread and grape juice, then bread and water or crackers and water will work just fine. If you would like some delivered, let me know, and I’ll see what we can do. I plan to talk more about the theology and the logistics in this Sunday’s livestream and radio broadcast.
No Prayer Chapel This Week
Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, there will be no prayer vigil on Thursday this week (March 26, 2020). I do not anticipate the vigil beginning again until we can reopen the church office to the public. I would encourage participants to pray from their homes.
A Reminder: You are of Infinite Worth
A theological reminder to everyone reading this blog (and also true of everyone who isn’t). You are of infinite worth in the eyes of God. God created you in God’s own image, the Holy Spirit breathed into you the breath of life, Jesus lived and died for you. The Father raised Jesus from the dead for you. Christ will come again for you. Stocks and bonds are of no value to God, but your value to God cannot be measured. You are beloved. You are priceless.