Grace and Peace be with you all, Friends in Christ!
What a joy to see so many of you come to church, in spite of the super-chilly morning!
If you missed worship, you should be made aware that the sanctuary heating/cooling units had to be shut down yesterday morning. We had been forewarned that one day we would see more problems with them.
Since it was far too cold in there, we had worship in Fellowship Hall at tables "coffeehouse style." I believe we enjoyed the change in environment, especially given the situation.
Coffeehouse Worship: I have had a little dream to host an alternate worship service mid-week in a coffeehouse format, a little more laid back than traditional worship, including some actual coffee or teas. This has done well in other churches in other cities, especially for outreach to unchurched people and those who have odd work schedules. If someone would like to help me think about this more, I'd like to hear from you. I am attaching some info on how it could be done.
Did you know? When our church was in between sanctuaries, building the beautiful A-frame church we have now, our church worshiped in the Fellowship Hall. Some of you recall those days. I would have loved to see our many church members gathered together in that space. Do you remember?
How appropriate that on Reformation Sunday we should return to worship in the space that our spiritual ancestors did 60 years ago! We shall see what we can do this week about our heat and when we will be able to return to worship in the sanctuary.
Please Remember in Prayer:
Those who need to find work
Those who cannot get shelter from the cold
Those who are struggling with anxiety and depression
Those afraid to go out in public
Ruby Blea's infant grandson
Kathy's family's ranch near Mora, near the fires
Our community having hard times
Our nation
For rain/snow to help put out Colorado and New Mexico fires
Tom Anderson - comfort through his pain
Jean Corey-Anderson - help at the clinic - for God's comfort
Francis (Ryan's grandpa), despondent after his wife's death, and in poor health
Karim (friend of Gaye Wellborn's son) - grieving the loss of 2 family members this past week
Phil Gallegos - home, recovering from COVID (son of Teresa Gallegos-Brake)
Kathy Martinez - home, recovering from COVID, other health problems (daughter of Teresa Gallegos-Brake)
Teresa Gallegos-Brake - has had a really hard year, after also losing a brother
Susie Martinez - struggling to find affordable transportation, making ends meet
Jessica (daughter-in-law of the Muellers) and twin sister Leslie - grief for their mother's sudden passing, for Leslie, 8 months pregnant
The unknown Texan family in a fatal car accident yesterday
For TJ Blea - continuing to make progress
Christie - (daughter of Dora Mae's) in very poor health
Safe Travels, especially during this bitter weather
Friends, I meditated a little yesterday during the sermon on the importance of friendship in how we perpetuate the gospel and how we present ourselves as examples of the Church. I hoped to encourage us, especially in these hard and uncertain times, that God has chosen ordinary saints like us to change the world. What an extraordinary honor it is.
This Week: Please call 575-708-0860 to confirm whether we are meeting for these things, due to the inclement weather.
Today, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 Exercise Eat and Pray
Tuesday at Noon - Yoga
Sunday - Holy Communion Sunday
I have plans to visit people this week. I am available to visit others if you have anyone in mind, or you yourself desire a visit from me. Please just call or text me at 575-708-0860.
May this be a week of good health, safety and full of opportunities to use the power of God's love!
Many hugs,
Rev. Amy
sunday_october_25_2020_30th_sunday_reformation_sunday_sermon.docx |
tips_on_coffeehouse_ministry.pdf |