Enduring Patiently

Dear friends in faith,
​
I am working with the leaders of our churches on an assessment of where we are and where we want to go. In the second chapter of Revelation there is a series of letters voiced by Jesus to various churches. In each letter Jesus affirms the church for their strengths and points out their weaknesses. This is the letter to the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7):

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God."

What do you think Jesus would say to your church? What would he affirm? What would he criticize? What blessing would he offer?

I invite you to join us in prayer daily for our churches. Each week I will share a prayer for us taken from a book by Thom Rainer. Please join me in praying: “God, open our eyes that we might see our church as you see it. Let us see where change needs to take place, even if it is painful to us. And use us, we pray, to be instruments of that change whatever the cost.”
 
Worship
·       This Sunday I am switching gears and will be leading us in an extended prayer time for Ukraine in place of my sermon. I invite you to wear blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. We will also have an opportunity to listen to the United Methodist Bishop of Eurasia which includes both Russia and Ukraine. It is also a communion Sunday. You can join us in-person at 8/Grace, 9:30/Pine Creek, 11:00/Holbrook, or on Zoom at 9:30 Meeting ID #794 678 137   Passcode: hopelives Or you can click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/794678137?pwd=aEU3Uy9IYncwUXpET3RKZUVwN0t0UT09
·       May 8th & 15th Worship will be in-person at 8/Grace, 9:30/Pine Creek, 11:00/Holbrook, or on Zoom at 9:30
·       May 22nd will be Paint and Praise. We will all gather in Sacajawea Park at the Gazebo for painting, singing, and lunch. We are painting, inside and out, the newer restrooms and also a white storage building right next door to the restrooms. The City will provide the paint. Bring a brush! For those who can’t paint, bring lunch and beverages.
o   Come as you can:
o   9:30 Paint Shift 1
o   Noon – potluck lunch, singing, and prayers
o   1:30 Paint Shift 2
·       May 29th Our Worship Beyond the Walls will be a time for Stories and Remembrances at the Mountain View Cemetery at 1:00pm. Bring a chair. We will host a time for the community to gather and remember the people buried in the cemetery. There are lots of special people and characters there. Let’s gather and honor their memory. Bring your friends!
 
Ukrainian humanitarian relief donation information
As we continue to hear about the horror in Ukraine, UMCOR is in the region providing aid and resources. To date they have received 2 million dollars to provide aid. Thank you for your generosity!
Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:
·       Online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450
·       By toll-free telephone: 888-252-6174
·       By check with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church
One hundred percent of all contributions go to help the people of Ukraine.
 
Current Small Group opportunities:
· Men’s Group All are welcome to join this lively gathering of men who discuss books and topics of the day. Join on Wednesdays at noon at Grace UMC.
· Women’s Small Group meets on Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm. They meet in the chapel at Holbrook UMC. Newcomers are always welcome.
· Hymns and Prayers on the 2nd Thursdays each month at 7pm on Zoom. We connect to God and one another through scripture, hymns, and prayers. As we draw close to God, God draws close to us, even though our screens. Here is the Zoom info: Meeting ID# 889 9872 6182 Passcode: hopelives 
 
Luccock Park Summer Camps
Luccock will have summer camps this year for Senior High, Middlers, and Elementary youth! Registration opens April 1st. We will provide scholarships for any youth we recruit. Share this info with the children/youth in your lives. Summer Camp is a wonderful experience! You can find more information here https://luccockpark.org/umc-camps-2022
 
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Pastor Patti