Weekly Devotions

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,   May Worship/Sermon Series: We are developing a worship and sermon series for May that will hopefully remind, challenge and encourage us as we continue this journey through a COVID-19 world.  I will be preaching on the topics: We’ve Been Here Before, Be Church, Returns on Our Investments, We Will Adapt, and The Best Is Yet to Come.  We are drawing on the rich musical resources and talents of our congregation, and will be lead each Sunday by faithful and gifted worship leaders.  Pastor Bill will be leading our sharing and prayer times.  Please join us each week as we gather in spirit through our virtual worship services, posted each Sunday morning.    Joys and Concerns If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text or email it to me.  If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with me that week by Fri...

Same Announcements, New Devotion!  I am repeating yesterday’s announcements for emphasis and to increase the chance that more people will read/hear them.  However, today’s devotion, as always, is new!  Until Further Notice (from the Executive Committee):  Instead of cancelling gathering activities on a month by month or week by week basis, we are taking an “Until Further Notice” position.  Until further notice all activities that involve group gatherings are cancelled.  We will continue our daily email devotions, weekly virtual worship services, zoom group gatherings and meetings, etc… until further notice.    We are looking forward to the day we can begin resuming more normal activities! The process for reopening the church and restarting group gatherings is likely to be slow and staggered, guided by best health practices, as well as recommendations and mandates from our health care, governmental and religious leader...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,   Until Further Notice (from the Executive Committee): Instead of canceling gathering activities on a month by month or week by week basis, we are taking an “Until Further Notice” position.    Until further notice all activities that involve group gatherings are canceled.    We will continue our daily email devotions, weekly virtual worship services, zoom group gatherings and meetings, etc.… until further notice.    We are looking forward to the day we can begin resuming more normal activities! The process for reopening the church and restarting group gatherings is likely to be slow and staggered, guided by best health practices, as well as recommendations and mandates from our health care, governmental and religious leaders.    What Are You Thinking? Today I watched an hour-long webcast on “Reopening the Church.” It was a good discussion among pastors of middle-sized congregations. I to...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,   Let’s Do the Wave Video!  Expanded Edition! Thank you to all who have participated in making this video!  Thank you to Bethany, Andy and Victor Hoffer, our roving video crew!  Now, enjoy by clicking here:  https://youtu.be/G0Z_YWPView   Grocery Delivery Project – Volunteers Needed! This project is now also working with the Caring Cupboard to deliver groceries to sheltered families. The number of households receiving groceries is now at 15, with more expected by this Thursday's deliveries. The total number of people served is now at 36. Many of these people have been affected directly by COVID, but also by other tragedies including other illnesses, cars which are not working, and even a house fire. These deliveries almost completely utilize our current volunteer drivers, three of whom are PCOB’ers. We could use another 2-4 drivers in the next week or so.    If you need groceries from ar...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,  Prayers:  Terry Baker has been admitted to HMC for surgery today to address an infected finger.  He will be there until at least tomorrow.  Please pray for healing and peace of mind for Terry.    Sunday Worship Service:  Tomorrow morning, around 8am, you will receive an email with a link to this Sunday's Worship service.  The service concludes our Lenten journey "Guided by Women.”  Heidi Neiswender will be presenting the Story of Wonder.  Jeff Clouser will be our worship leader. I will be preaching on Junia.  Junia appears in only one verse in scripture, and depending on the date of your Bible, maybe not even there. So, what happened to Junia? We’ll see…    A Taste of Taize’: This Sunday Afternoon: Tomorrow afternoon, around 3pm, you will receive an email with a link t...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,   Sunday Worship Service: Sunday morning, around 8am, you will receive an email with a link to this Sunday's Worship service.  The service concludes our Lenten journey "Guided by Women.”  Heidi Neiswender will be presenting the Story of Wonder.  Jeff Clouser will be our worship leader. I will be preaching on Junia.  Junia appears in only one verse in scripture, and depending on the date of your Bible, maybe not even there. So, what happened to Junia? We’ll see…    A Taste of Taize’ – This Sunday Afternoon: Sunday afternoon, around 3pm, you will receive an email with a link to our spring Taize’ Service.  A full Taize’ service was scheduled for the evening of Palm Sunday.  Jeff Clouser has designed this shorter service as a ritual of healing for these uncertain times. If you have not experienced Taize’ worship before, I encourage you to try style of meditative worship.  I think you wi...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,  Congratulations!  Slats (Clarence) Barlet turned 91 yesterday! Slats and Dolly are doing well. Feel free to call or mail congratulations. His contact information is in our 2020 directory.  Prayers:  Jose Aponte is anticipating transport to Conewago Synder treatment center tomorrow morning. You can send encouragements at:  Attn: Jose Aponte  Conewago Snyder  18336 Rt. 522  Beaverton PA 17813  Last Chance for the Wave Video:  Tomorrow is the last day to contact Bethany at  bhoffer@palmyracob.org  or call/text 937-417-5938 if want to be included in an updated video that will be posted next Monday.  We would love to see you! Join the fun!!  Thank You:    To all who call others to check in on them and share our emails and devotions.  Today’s Devotion:  I am thankful to Bonnie Rhoads for p...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,  It’s been a quiet week so far, or maybe it just seems that way now that the extras of the Easter season are past.  And perhaps, we are settling in to some of the “new” ways, so far, of doing things. I’ve had a chance this week to do some planning of our May worship and sermon themes.  We can look forward to worship services and sermons that will remind, challenge and inspire us as people of faith living in today’s uncertain world.  This coming Sunday, we finish the “Guided by Women” series. I will be preaching on Junia.  Junia appears in only one verse in scripture, and depending on the date of your Bible, maybe not even there. So, what happened to Junia? We’ll see…  I shared yesterday that our Board would be meeting last night. Each Board meeting starts with a devotion, with Board members each taking a turn at different meetings. ...

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,  Did you know that our leaders, teams and staff are continuing to meet, even though we can’t get together physically?  The ministries and business of our church are being handled through phone calls, conference calls, mail, emails, video meetings, various social media, etc. Occasionally, a few must gather to record the various pieces of our services, while observing safety protocols. Tonight, our Board will meet via ZOOM technology. Please hold our leaders, and our congregation, in prayer as we continue to discern, imagine, plan, care and serve together.  A Little Humor  Recently the Trotwood Church of the Brethren in Ohio observed their annual “Holy Humor Sunday.”  Here are a few of my favorites from their “Together in Quarantine” list.  This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat.  It was obvious she thought her cat understood her.  I came into the house and told my dog......we laughed...