Join us for the month of June, schedule below.
Sun. June 2nd – Communion: Joshua (who has succeeded Moses to bring the followers of God into the Promise Land) sends spies into Jericho where they meet Rahab who lives in the outer wall of the city. She lies about the whereabouts of the spies when questioned by city authorities. The moral dilemma: when, if ever is lying acceptable?
Tues. June 4th – On going weekly Bible Study 12- 1 pm. Genesis Ch. 1-2 working our way through the bible from Genesis to Revelation. Come join us.
Sun. June 9th – Confirmation Graduation: During worship the confirmands will read a portion of their Statement of Faith for the congregation. Their mentors will read their favorite scriptures. The confirmands will become official members of the church receiving their membership certificates and a special gift. We’ll have breakfast following the service. Our Joshua series continues as the Israelites (followers of God) miraculously cross the Jordan into the Promise Land reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea.
The Contemporary team will be performing at Alden at 2 pm. Church kids can join us to pass out greeting cards to residents.
Sun. 16th – Pastor on vacation. Celebrating Father’s Day the following Sunday.
Sun. 23rd – Celebrating Father’s Day: From our Joshua series we meet Caleb a faithful, brave servant of God who has a “Can Do Attitude.” We’ll have a gift and special prayer time for all the men in attendance.
Sat. June 29th – Huntley Family fun day on the downtown square 9-1 pm. A great opportunity to meet families in the area, we’ll have the bouncy house outside next to the church (facing the square park), I would love to have volunteers talking to folks and handing out church brochures with Synthea and me.
Sun. June 30th – Our Joshua series continues, the walls of Jericho come tumbling down. What wall(s) do we need to break down between ourselves and God and/or others?
Blessings, Pastor Michael
- Flag Day, June 14, 2024
- Father’s Day, June 16, 2024
- Juneteenth, June 19, 2024
- First day of summer, June 20, 2024
An Ode to Dads
God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree, the warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea.
The generous soul of nature, the comforting arm of night, the wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagle’s flight.
The joy of a morning in spring, the faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity, the depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities, when there was nothing more to add, He knew his masterpiece was complete, and so, he called it … Dad.
Our Father’s Arms
As a young boy, J. Ellsworth Kalas had to visit the Mayo Clinic for tests. His parents, knowing their son was safe in the hospital overnight, slept at a nearby hotel. But Kalas was so lonely and scared that a nurse called his folks. Kalas, who later became a pastor, recalled what it was like to have his father arrive.
“I remember his dressing me there in the darkness,” he said. “Then I remember getting on a streetcar, sitting way at the back as we rode to the hotel. He held me very close to him, his long, ungainly arm wrapped around me. And the little boy who had been so frightened was now at peace.”
We all face trials that can seem overwhelming. “How good, then, to draw deeply on the resources of God!” Kalas said. “In him there is a peace which is greater than the trouble. How good, indeed, to burrow into a place of security, and to feel an arm wrapping strong about us and to know that it is the arm of our heavenly Father.”
Need fast relief? Slow down!
Actor Lily Tomlin reportedly said, “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” Summer doesn’t seem to be the “slow season” it once was — if indeed it ever truly was. But perhaps we can use it as incentive to take some “downtime” around the plethora of activities, travel and always-busy work schedules. Pause and accept Jesus’ invitation: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, NIV). It may be a refreshing spot at a lake, a hike in the woods, an early-morning fishing trip. Maybe, around your work schedule, you can reserve time for a few days of church camp, a picnic at the city park, a nap on a blanket in the backyard sun. Help the kids in your life discover what it’s like to not be on the go and to take a screen-time sabbath — even to experience boredom and see what creativity blossoms. Do art projects together, ride bikes, paint with water or chalk on the sidewalk, pick berries, bake cookies, solve puzzles, sing songs! Try slowing down, as Lily Tomlin — and even Jesus — advised. In summer, and any time, it’s good for the soul!
What Forgiveness is – and is not
Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning. It is the lifting of a burden or the canceling of a debt. —Martin Luther King Jr.
Keys to Community
While searching for youth group resources, Stan Purdum once found a board game called Community. It was like Monopoly, but instead of promoting greed and winning, Community required you to help other players win too. The key to everyone winning was a Community Meeting square, akin to Monopoly’s Go Directly to Jail.
As you moved around the board, you’d periodically land on Go to Meeting. Then you had to remain there until at least one other player arrived so you could meet. Before that could happen, someone at the meeting had to play a Plain-Speaking card.
The point? Before people can accomplish anything worthwhile when uniting for community purposes, they need straightforward statements of truth, even if those are sometimes painful. That’s certainly true in the communities called family, church and friendship. And in life, the plain-speaking sometimes requires rebuke. Scripture calls these well-meaning words, intended for learning and healing, “the wounds a friend inflicts” (Proverbs 27:6, NRSV). —adapted from The Wired Word
