| Hello, All – Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!! I trust that this email finds you well and leaning on the everlasting arms of God during this ongoing time of physical separation. Over these last few days, I have been working to learn and understand a new (for me) social media platform called Zoom. It allows us to connect with one another over the internet. We can use it to see and talk with one another!! (I received the chart about Zoom, at the bottom of this email, which gave me a chuckle. I hope it does the same for you.) So, over these last few days, I have been “Zooming” with many of you in various meetings and groups. It has been sooooooo good to see you and to hear your voices and to laugh together and to pray together. I am seeking to keep us all connected through online worship, email, online Zoom calls, and good old-fashioned phone calls. I have asked some folks to organize phone calls, especially to those who might be alone or want to hear from a friendly voice from church. Chris Vogel and I are organizing Zoom calls for committees, for BELIEVE and other Bible study groups, for Confirmation Classes, etc. I am using email to send out messages of comfort, hope, and peace. And, I know that many of your are making phone calls and connecting with others in the church family. Keep making those calls and reaching out to one another!! As we continue to journey in these days, I would like to share a few thoughts that I have heard recently: “Rather than ‘social’ distancing, I am calling it ‘physical’ distancing. We can continue to connect socially through phone calls, internet, and emails.” “I like to think of it as ‘staying safe in my home’ rather than thinking of it as ‘being stuck at home.’” “If I can get through World War II, I can get through this. At least I am not worrying about whether my house will still be standing tomorrow after another bombing of the city.” (Spoken by someone who lived in England during WWII) Below, I have included the words to Psalm 23 in two different versions – the King James Version (very familiar to some); and the modern translation found in The Message. Read over them. Pray over them. Meditate on them. May these words comfort you and bless you today. Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 The Message (MSG) God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. We will get through this time and will be back together in person!! Until then, our physical facilities remain closed, but our Website, and Facebook page, and Zoom account, and Church group email continue to be Open and Active. Look at our Website or Facebook page this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as we “gather together” around our devices for worship and to honor God in this journey! Blessings, peace, and prayers, Pastor Sherry |
