"For Such A Time As This” - PCOB Announcement And Devotion For 3/25/2020
o the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
If you are facing challenges that threaten your ability to get food, maintain housing, keep health insurance, maintain transportation, or meet other basic needs, we will work with you to locate services that are available. Jan Wessel has prepared a resource to get you started. Check out “Coronavirus Resources” on our website. Included in that document is Jan’s offer to help, her contact information, and a request for volunteers to assist. Thank you, Jan, for your ministry among us!
Each week we spend time in worship sharing our joys and concerns with one another and then praying together. We will include such a time in our pre-recorded services each week. If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text or email it to me each week by Friday morning.
I am thankful to Jill Speicher for providing today’s devotion. Jill and Tim (her husband), are both retired Church of the Brethren pastors. They have been worshiping with us this year and will be joining our congregation in the months ahead. They live in Reading, PA. Jill sent me this devotion a week ago to share. Jill has been on our prayer list for a few weeks. When I called her a few minutes ago, she was back at the hospital anticipating admittance. If you wish to respond to Jill directly, her email address is revjkspeicher@gmail.com.
Shalom,
Dennis
Today’s Devotion:
Scripture - Philippians 4:10-13 (CEB)
I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course, you were always concerned but had no way to show it)
I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
Thoughts
The Apostle Paul’s willpower was not what helped him to be content in all circumstances. Instead, it was his faith in God. As Christ’s followers, we find ourselves in very difficult circumstances with the threat of the COVID-19 virus all around us. We are isolated from our faith community, and more and more our wider community, to slow the spread of the virus.
Many of us have been through difficult times in our lives but this may be a new and very stressful time for everyone. May Paul’s declaration of his faith in God, which allows him to be content in all circumstances, give you strength as you face the uncertainties that are yet to come. Remember, you can do all things through the power of the one who gives you strength.” (Philippians 4:13 CEB)
Prayer
Our God, we pray for safety and peace for all people. Bless those who are ill and the doctors and nurses who care for them. May we all be encouraged by our faith in God and reach out to our neighbors by phone, text or email so that no one is lonely or abandoned. Fill us with your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.
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.
If you are facing challenges that threaten your ability to get food, maintain housing, keep health insurance, maintain transportation, or meet other basic needs, we will work with you to locate services that are available. Jan Wessel has prepared a resource to get you started. Check out “Coronavirus Resources” on our website. Included in that document is Jan’s offer to help, her contact information, and a request for volunteers to assist. Thank you, Jan, for your ministry among us!
Each week we spend time in worship sharing our joys and concerns with one another and then praying together. We will include such a time in our pre-recorded services each week. If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text or email it to me each week by Friday morning.
I am thankful to Jill Speicher for providing today’s devotion. Jill and Tim (her husband), are both retired Church of the Brethren pastors. They have been worshiping with us this year and will be joining our congregation in the months ahead. They live in Reading, PA. Jill sent me this devotion a week ago to share. Jill has been on our prayer list for a few weeks. When I called her a few minutes ago, she was back at the hospital anticipating admittance. If you wish to respond to Jill directly, her email address is revjkspeicher@gmail.com.
Shalom,
Dennis
Today’s Devotion:
Scripture - Philippians 4:10-13 (CEB)
I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course, you were always concerned but had no way to show it)
I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
Thoughts
The Apostle Paul’s willpower was not what helped him to be content in all circumstances. Instead, it was his faith in God. As Christ’s followers, we find ourselves in very difficult circumstances with the threat of the COVID-19 virus all around us. We are isolated from our faith community, and more and more our wider community, to slow the spread of the virus.
Many of us have been through difficult times in our lives but this may be a new and very stressful time for everyone. May Paul’s declaration of his faith in God, which allows him to be content in all circumstances, give you strength as you face the uncertainties that are yet to come. Remember, you can do all things through the power of the one who gives you strength.” (Philippians 4:13 CEB)
Prayer
Our God, we pray for safety and peace for all people. Bless those who are ill and the doctors and nurses who care for them. May we all be encouraged by our faith in God and reach out to our neighbors by phone, text or email so that no one is lonely or abandoned. Fill us with your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.
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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