First Church Family,
I pray you are continuing to manage the challenges of safely dealing with COVID-19. Our medical community is doing an exemplary job of caring for us and offering the vaccine to those who qualify. And there is some “buzz” in the community about the difference the vaccine will make in the next couple of months, in terms of lowering the number of new cases and slowing the transmission of the virus.
I have often noticed that difficulties in our lives have the potential to draw us closer to God. That has been my experience over the past months. It is my prayer that you will use this time to be drawn closer, as well.
In the coming weeks, we will make decisions surrounding exactly how we will worship during the Lenten/Easter season. Our Chancel Choir is preparing a beautiful Easter Cantata, entitled: “What Wondrous Hope.” We will most likely perform it outside, similar to our “Christmas Blessing” offering on December 13.
Please continue to pray for our community and those persons who provide services for the poor. I, along with five other Methodist pastors from our area, volunteered at Yokefellow last week as we commemorated the MLK holiday. We packed bags with food, sorted food provided to the ministry by local churches and families, and divided large bags of rice into one pound portions.
Yokefellow staff members named us, “Methodist Superstars,” for our help. While there, I saw firsthand the need Yokefellow has for donations of one pound bags of dried beans. Please continue to bring bags of beans by our church, as we help feed those in need in our community.
Too, remember our church’s ministry to provide the evening meal for those persons working to help sick persons recover from COVID in the Field Hospital provided by Samaritan’s Purse. As of now, we are committed to prepare and deliver meals for 50 persons on the evenings of February 2, 9, and 16 (all Tuesdays). God continues to provide opportunities for us to act out our faith in life-giving ways.
Though I truly appreciate all seasons of the year, I must say that I am longing for the warmth and new life of springtime. My prayers are with you during this time, and I covet yours.
Blessings and love,
Pastor Dave