Wednesday, March 25, 2020

A message from the Pastor: 

 Dear Friends,

               Perhaps we don’t learn how valuable something is until it is taken away from us. This past Sunday felt so strange to me. I am used to the rhythm of weekly worship. I start each week with one of our short-term study classes and then move into worship. I miss the faces, the greetings, the conversations…some
short, some longer…the music, the time in prayer. It is all a part of who I am. So, to have that taken away was difficult and even more difficult to think that it could be this way for an indefinite time. I know that many of you may be feeling the same way.

Rather than focusing on what’s missing, I want to make a few suggestions on how
to still be the church even when we are not meeting together:

1.     Pray. Pray for our health care workers and the government leaders making difficult decisions. Pray for those who have lost their jobs or whose businesses are threatened. Pray for those in hospital and nursing homes and their family members who are prevented from visiting. Pray for our educators and students.
This list could go on and on. Add to it as led by the Holy Spirit.

2.     Call. Call not only your circle of friends, but find someone outside that circle that might be neglected. Depression is a prominent health concern during such times. Let’s be sure to look out for one another.

3.     Give. Give of your time even if it is just over the phone. If possible, give to the One Great Hour of Sharing. As a reminder, we are giving money directly to the United Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hamburg, Iowa, which experienced a devastating flood last March. I understand the food basket ministry is running
short of food. You can take your donations to the Community Access Center on Pecan St. by Woods Lumber, but call before you go since they are closed to general public traffic (331-5115).

4.     Worship. Worship with us online if you can or watch a service on television (Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa at 11:00 on Sundays is one of the most easy to access from here).

I hope you have a blessed week and stay well,

Pastor John