Month: April 2021

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Communion Today (April 28, 2021)

A quick reminder that, despite my vacation, there will be communion via Zoom today at 6:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting
http://bit.ly/38bf9qZ
Meeting ID: 937 0998 7388
Passcode: 67410

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+13462487799,,93709987388#,,,,,,0#,,67410# US (Houston)

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+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 937 0998 7388
Passcode: 67410

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Our Worship Dilemma

I’ve been praying for and trying to think of a solution to our current in-person worship dilemma. We have at least four different schools of thought when it comes to worship. Here’s my understanding of them (I know of people in each of these categories):

  1. People who are worshipping from home because they don’t believe it’s safe to be in large groups no matter what precautions are taken.
  2. People who are worshipping in the sanctuary because they believe that the precautions we are taking are adequate.
  3. People who are worshipping in the sanctuary despite their belief that the precautions we are taking are unnecessary.
  4. People who are worshipping from home (or attending elsewhere) because they believe that the precautions we are taking are unnecessary.

I’ve been praying for and trying to think of a solution that can bring all four groups together on the same page. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

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Sunday’s Sermon: Laying Down Our Lives

This coming Sunday, April 23, 2021 (and also Saturday, April 22), I plan to preach on 1 John 3:16-24, focusing on the phrase “we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” I’ll be talking about what this means and how we might actually manage to pull it off.

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The Earth Is the LORD’s

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof. — Psalm 24:1, KJV

God created all that is and retains true, ultimate ownership of all of it. We were tasked to be God’s stewards—tending it and looking out for it. How we care for the earth reveals a lot about the true nature of our faith.

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Voices: Henri Nouwen on Joy

Wise words from Henri Nouwen:

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us. [1]

I don’t know about you, but I need to practice choosing joy.

[1] Henri J. M. Nouwen, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit (New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1994), Kindle.

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Covid-19 and Worship Update

We will have in-person worship every Sunday morning at 8:15 and 10:30.* There are now only two restrictions for those who attend: 1. practice social distancing and 2. wear a mask.

Those who are leading worship by reading scripture, preaching, giving the children’s message, etc. will take their masks off for the sake of the hearing impaired. The exception to this is that Clark Williamson will wear a mask while leading singing.

*For the time being, we’ll also have an in-person worship service at 10:30 on Saturday mornings whenever I’m not on vacation. (We’ve found it works better to record the service on Saturday rather than Sunday—but I can’t ask those who are providing pulpit supply to preach three services).

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2021-2022 Scholarships Awarded

The scholarship committee recently met and awarded scholarships to the following students for the 2021-2022 academic year:

First Time Applicants (Members and Active Participants)
Miller Unruh — $900
Olivia Crist — $900
Mason Cook — $900

First Time Applicants (Non-Members)
Regan Ditto — $300

Prior Recipients
Audrey Unruh — $500
Tucker D. Robinson — $500
Chesney Sprinkle — $500
Beth Holmes — $500

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This Sunday’s Sermon

I actually have a sermon title for this coming Sunday (April 18, 2021): “Living in the Here and Now for the Life that is to Come.” I’ll be talking about the nature of everlasting life and what it means for how we live our lives now. I’ll be preaching on two of the lectionary readings: 1 John 3:1-7 and Luke 24:36-48.