Memorial Day is just around the corner. For many Monday’s holiday is typically a “soft” opening for summer, so if that works for you, head on out to the backyard. But plan on getting wet if you do. Soft for us is going to be soggy. What else is new?  

 

Do take some time on Monday to remember those whose lives were lost in the various wars and conflicts in which our country has fought. You may well want to pray through Psalm 46, particularly verses 9-10 wherein we find the promise: He (referencing God) makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. [God] breaks the bow and shatters the spear; [God] burns the shields with fire. [God] says, “Be still (meaning here to stop struggling and fighting), and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Why wouldn’t we pray to live in the kind of world where wars and global conflicts are unnecessary? It may not come about in our lifetime, but it won’t come about in anyone’s lifetime if we fail to pray for this outcome. Remember the fallen and pray for their loved ones who daily live with their loss. Pray in gratitude for those who answered the call to service and paid with their lives. But pray for the cessation of war and conflict so that no-one has to be remembered for these reasons going forward.

 

Reserve June 7 on your calendar so that you can be present for a congregational meeting via Zoom to elect seven persons from our congregation to the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). Meeting this way for a congregational meeting is a first for us, so bear with us as we navigate this process. If you are a formal member of the congregation and would like to participate in this meeting, please send an email with your name(s) and best email contact information (for each) to . This will serve as a registration for the meeting. The week before our meeting, you will be sent login information for the congregational meeting to begin at 11AM on June 7 immediately after the morning livestream service. But, to clarify, the meeting will happen over Zoom, not through the FB livestream platform. Soon we will post an informational video on our website that will walk you through the process of joining and participating in this kind of a Zoom meeting. If you’ve never been in a Zoom meeting, it’s fairly easy to navigate. If you do email, you can do Zoom. Electing this committee and commissioning them to service is the next major step in calling an associate pastor to serve with us in the area of family ministry.  

 

Sunday we’ll be in Acts chapter 1 to consider the ascension of Jesus. Read ahead if you like—we’ll cover the first 11 verses. Lots of great stuff packed into these verses—see what you can find there! Continue your safety regimen, pray for those suffering losses of all kind during this pandemic, pray for wisdom and skill on the part of our governmental leaders, public health officials, and health care providers, pray grace for all as we live in quarantine, pray for relief and recovery from this global crisis, be salt and light in your family and circles of influence. If you have needs or are in need of assistance, please let us know so that we can help.  

 

Warmly,

—frank