"For Such A Time As This” - PCOB Announcement And Devotion For 3/30/2020
To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
All church events requiring physical gatherings are now canceled, with the offices remaining closed, through the end of April. Our Executive Committee has made this decision based on guidelines mandated or suggested by both our governmental and religious leaders. We will continue to do what is being asked of us to contain, mitigate and/or respond to the threat and reality of the COVID-19 virus.
We continue to develop the Sunday morning worship videos, send out our daily devotional/announcement emails, and monitor and respond (as appropriate) to congregational care concerns. We have secured an inexpensive subscription to ZOOM (a video conferencing application) in order to have daily staff meetings, bi-weekly worship planning meetings, team meetings, etc. Stay tuned for more ways our church groups can use our ZOOM subscription.
We are working hard to create meaningful videos for our Palm Sunday, Taizé, Love Feast and Easter Sunday services. This year we will be having two Easter services! The first online service will be on Easter Sunday, April 12. A second Easter service will be planned for a Sunday, perhaps this summer, when it is clearly safe to gather again for worship. That will truly be a day to celebrate emerging from our caves (homes), resurrection, and new life! The formula for determining Easter Sunday each year is based on the date of the Spring Equinox. Since it is not based on any historical knowledge of which Sunday in the year Jesus’ resurrection was first witnessed by his followers, we have the freedom to celebrate Easter at any time that works for us.
Today’s devotion is written by Lori Faiola. She sent it to me a few days ago. I’ve been waiting for a non-rainy day to share it. In these days of feeling cooped up, I really appreciate her insights. Thank you, Lori. If you wish to respond to Lori, her email address is faiola_lori@comcast.net.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scripture - Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (NIV)
Thoughts
As I sit here sequestered by the now-infamous COVID-19, my eyes are constantly drawn outward, taking in all of the changes happening in the natural world on the other side of our windows. While humans halt handshakes, hugs, and high-fives, birds continue to flock and fly; trees continue to bud and blossom; and crocuses and daffodils (my favorite) continue to bloom, beautifying the landscape I now have the time to appreciate and enjoy. How reassuring to know that God’s creation continues to move forward, capturing my attention in an ever-changing display of spring’s arrival! These reminders of God’s faithfulness and enduring love both comfort and reassure. What a wonderful time to hear the scriptures speak to us, as well, reminding us of our Creator’s faithfulness and ever-giving love.
In Deuteronomy 32:2, Moses begins his hymn of praise by uttering these words: “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” (NIV). The people were behaving badly, perhaps hoarding (like buying unnecessary quantities of food and toiletries), or acting out of fear (like purchasing guns at an alarming rate potentially to protect the hoarded goods), or simply feeling lost (like being out of work or wondering what to do with kids home from school for how long???). Even so, Moses describes to the people God’s teaching as faithful, forgiving, and ever-giving love that showers them “abundantly]” (Deuteronomy 32:2). God does not seek to add to our pain or suffering but instead provides comfort, opportunity for growth, and beautiful nature to keep us focused on the future.
Perhaps now is the time to do a little catching up – taking some time to enjoy the beauty of spring and its life-giving rain and reading again those ancient words still fresh as spring rain in their messages to us. Take care, everyone, during this difficult time of distance and uncertainty, and take a look outside at the beauty still unfolding all around us, as God’s promise of spring is fulfilled once again.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and love that falls like the new spring rain to nourish our hearts and minds. We ask for gentle reminders to comfort and reassure us during this time of stress and uncertainty. We ask for patience, guidance, and resilience. We ask for hope. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
All church events requiring physical gatherings are now canceled, with the offices remaining closed, through the end of April. Our Executive Committee has made this decision based on guidelines mandated or suggested by both our governmental and religious leaders. We will continue to do what is being asked of us to contain, mitigate and/or respond to the threat and reality of the COVID-19 virus.
We continue to develop the Sunday morning worship videos, send out our daily devotional/announcement emails, and monitor and respond (as appropriate) to congregational care concerns. We have secured an inexpensive subscription to ZOOM (a video conferencing application) in order to have daily staff meetings, bi-weekly worship planning meetings, team meetings, etc. Stay tuned for more ways our church groups can use our ZOOM subscription.
We are working hard to create meaningful videos for our Palm Sunday, Taizé, Love Feast and Easter Sunday services. This year we will be having two Easter services! The first online service will be on Easter Sunday, April 12. A second Easter service will be planned for a Sunday, perhaps this summer, when it is clearly safe to gather again for worship. That will truly be a day to celebrate emerging from our caves (homes), resurrection, and new life! The formula for determining Easter Sunday each year is based on the date of the Spring Equinox. Since it is not based on any historical knowledge of which Sunday in the year Jesus’ resurrection was first witnessed by his followers, we have the freedom to celebrate Easter at any time that works for us.
Today’s devotion is written by Lori Faiola. She sent it to me a few days ago. I’ve been waiting for a non-rainy day to share it. In these days of feeling cooped up, I really appreciate her insights. Thank you, Lori. If you wish to respond to Lori, her email address is faiola_lori@comcast.net.
Shalom,
Dennis
Scripture - Deuteronomy 32:2 (NIV)
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (NIV)
Thoughts
As I sit here sequestered by the now-infamous COVID-19, my eyes are constantly drawn outward, taking in all of the changes happening in the natural world on the other side of our windows. While humans halt handshakes, hugs, and high-fives, birds continue to flock and fly; trees continue to bud and blossom; and crocuses and daffodils (my favorite) continue to bloom, beautifying the landscape I now have the time to appreciate and enjoy. How reassuring to know that God’s creation continues to move forward, capturing my attention in an ever-changing display of spring’s arrival! These reminders of God’s faithfulness and enduring love both comfort and reassure. What a wonderful time to hear the scriptures speak to us, as well, reminding us of our Creator’s faithfulness and ever-giving love.
In Deuteronomy 32:2, Moses begins his hymn of praise by uttering these words: “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” (NIV). The people were behaving badly, perhaps hoarding (like buying unnecessary quantities of food and toiletries), or acting out of fear (like purchasing guns at an alarming rate potentially to protect the hoarded goods), or simply feeling lost (like being out of work or wondering what to do with kids home from school for how long???). Even so, Moses describes to the people God’s teaching as faithful, forgiving, and ever-giving love that showers them “abundantly]” (Deuteronomy 32:2). God does not seek to add to our pain or suffering but instead provides comfort, opportunity for growth, and beautiful nature to keep us focused on the future.
Perhaps now is the time to do a little catching up – taking some time to enjoy the beauty of spring and its life-giving rain and reading again those ancient words still fresh as spring rain in their messages to us. Take care, everyone, during this difficult time of distance and uncertainty, and take a look outside at the beauty still unfolding all around us, as God’s promise of spring is fulfilled once again.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and love that falls like the new spring rain to nourish our hearts and minds. We ask for gentle reminders to comfort and reassure us during this time of stress and uncertainty. We ask for patience, guidance, and resilience. We ask for hope. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reminder:
If you know someone who does not have email, please call them and offer to read this email to them and share this devotion with them. And, check in on how they are doing.
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