Dear Family of Faith,

“ … this is my prayer: (may your love, and mine,) abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that (we) may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

Those who have had the opportunity to worship online (go to “firstchurchmena.org”, then hit the “Sermons” tab, then hit the “May 17, 2020” worship service) will recognize the importance of the above prayer … let’s continue to pray it together! 

Some news for us:

First of all, WORSHIP.  Though social distancing guidelines have been relaxed so that churches can worship in community again, your elders wisely recommend that we continue our online worship practices to avoid the possibility of infection through a second wave of the virus.  Having said that, if your heart longs for worship in community, please come to the worship video taping that takes place every Saturday at noon.  Masks and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer will be available.  By the way, thank you to the unannounced sanitizing crew who cleaned the sanctuary prior to last Saturday’s worship!!!!! 

Second, GRADUATION.  Abigail (“Abby”) Langin, daughter of Serena and Kevin Loyd, graduated from high school yesterday.  We honored her through written congratulations on our church marquee, but I was hoping we could honor her in one other way as well, using a method I have used at previous churches.  It is to give her a copy of the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” with signatures, well-wishes and wisdom from members of the congregation inside the front and back covers.  Obviously, this is a difficult thing to do in these days of social distancing, but what a blessing it would be for her if a majority of us could sign the book!  Here are THREE ways you can sign:

1.      Through Friday afternoon, the book will be at the church manse (AKA parsonage, 1910 Church Avenue).  Feel free to stop by anytime during daylight hours to sign it.

2.      Come to the worship service this upcoming Saturday (noon – approximately 1:30 p.m.).

3.      Reply to this E-Mail with what you would LIKE to write in the book, and it will be printed off and taped. 

Finally, HELPING HANDS SUNDAY.  Our next HHS will be two weeks from now, May 31.  We will still not be able to go out into the community to serve due to social distancing, but I hope all will be a part of it!  Please consider any of the following, or come up with one of your own!

1.      Those who can sew, please continue to make washable face masks!  I’m pretty confident we have sewn at least 400 masks since our March 29 HHS!

2.      Wear your mask, pick up trash along a road of your choice, wash your hands, then take off your mask!

3.      Create hygiene bags for shelters.

4.      Plant trees.

5.      Volunteer to mow an unkempt lawn.  Or pull weeds.  Or trim hedges.  Or rake leaves …..

6.      Go “Christmas caroling.”  The music doesn’t have to be Christmas! 

7.      Make a gift to give to your mail carrier or sanitary worker. 

8.      Drive through your neighborhood with eyes wide open to recognize human need, and then truly ask yourself: “What Would Jesus Do?”   

9.      Send a gift (monetary or other) to someone you know who cannot work right now. 

10. Clean out a closet and set things aside that you know someone else might value (even PCDC or the Salvation Army). 

11. Find a way to encourage health care professionals, law enforcement officers, or nursing home residents, people in hospice, etc. from a distance.  If in written form, bring it to the church in a Ziplock bag and we will deliver.

12. Nursing homes are welcoming mail and puzzle books to distribute to residents.

13. Call a service organization in advance (hospice, humane society, food pantry, library, veterans organization, etc.) and ask what needs they may have.

14. A number of us will be tending the grounds at the Senior Center again.  Feel free to join us!

15. Are you an artist?  Create a work of art to give to someone.

16. Are you a musician?  Call (or video-conference call) someone and play or sing for them.

17. Are you a prayer warrior?  Walk through your neighborhood, praying for the needs you see.

18. Are you a cook?  Create home cooked meals and offer them to neighbors.

19. Are you a writer?  Write someone a letter.

20. Are you a gardener?  Plant some crops with the expressed purpose of giving to the needy. 

21. Are you a fixer? Fix something for someone. 

Feel free to send me other ideas that should be added to this list! 

Blessings to all!

Pastor Bill