"For Such A Time As This” - PCOB Announcement And Devotion For 3/24/2020

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To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
 
Here are a couple of prayer requests or updates:
  • Jamie Walmer is headed home!  She boarded a plane leaving Guatemala yesterday afternoon, arriving in Miami last night.  Her family will be picking her up today from BWI (Baltimore), and then traveling home for a two-week quarantine.  
  • Carol Hoke had surgery on Friday and Donna Hitz had surgery this morning.  Both are doing well.  Let’s keep them in our prayers.
  • Jose Aponte would love to receive letters of encouragement.  Letters must be typed or handwritten on plain white paper and mailed in plain white envelopes, with no other items included.  His address is:
Jose E. Aponte 20P-0460
730 East Walnut Street
Lebanon, PA  17042

Since we didn’t have a bulletin this week, some have missed the weekly prayer invitation called:

Praying for Each Other

Everyone in our church is given a special day to receive prayers from their fellow Christians. Let us take a moment this week to hold the following persons in our prayers. 
 
Sunday - Dick & Joyce Eutzy
Monday - Scott & Wendy Garrison
Tuesday - Nancy Hartman
Wednesday - Lindsey Koontz
Thursday - Tim & Lorrie Long
Friday - Lawrence & Elsie Reynolds
Saturday - Dale Smith & Jana Storm
 
I am thankful to Jeff Clouser for providing today’s devotion.  You will appreciate both his thoughts and the musical link he has provided for his prayer.  If you wish to respond to Jeff directly, his email address is jclouser@palmyracob.org.
 
Shalom,
Dennis
 
 
Today’s Devotion:
Scripture - Psalm 46 Common English Bible (CEB)
This song is attributed to the sons of Korah. It praises God for His strength and protection and for Jerusalem and its temple where God uniquely dwells. It invites the world to witness a future when wars and striving will cease and all the nations know and worship the one True God. - I have included the first stanza here vs. 1-3.
 
God is our refuge and strength,
    a help always near in times of great trouble.
That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
    when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
    when its waters roar and rage,
    when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.
 
Thoughts
In this time of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety it may appear that the world is falling apart.  Although we find ourselves in uncharted territory right now and our hearts ache for those affected by this virus, we must trust that we will get through this perhaps learning more about ourselves and others along the way.  Please don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.  Psalm 46 reminds us that we should not be afraid for God is always with us in our times of trouble.  We will overcome this and be the better for it.  Singer and songwriter Sandy Patty reminds us “There is strength in the name of the Lord. There is power in the name of the Lord. There is hope in the name of the Lord.”  Be safe, stay well, and hold on to the strength, power, and hope that God will bring us back together soon. 
 
Prayer
My prayer for you comes from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YbUyjt_MQQ
 
You’ll Never Walk Alone
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
 
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
 
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
 
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
 
You'll never walk alone
 
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
 
You'll never walk alone
 
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them and offer to read this email and devotion to them.  And, check in on how they are doing.

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