Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Friends,
We have weathered another weekend when we did not have an in-person worship service. Hopefully you were able to access our "online" worship bulletin and sermon. If not, here it is again: sway.office.com/OjRTPUKyEBSBH9Ki?ref=Link&loc=play
I believe that it is a good thing that our church is trying new ways to reach out to the online community, but this virtual worship is no replacement for being together in God's sanctuary. (in fact, it's not much fun not being physically with you)
New information is being released each day. Some of you have been forwarding me your own sources of information about COVID-19. We have to be wise about what information we share with others if it is not well-documented or without reliable sources. Most of us are not medical experts.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has provided us with an Advisory Opinion document (attached below) about the celebration of Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) during times of pandemic and they recommend that we can do a virtual celebration, as we are restricted from mass gatherings I am looking into this and will be in conversation with our Elders and Deacons about this and we will determine what is the best solution for our little church.
The experience of Holy Communion is a celebration of God with Us in Jesus Christ, an experience of Jesus' real presence in and among us. Remember Psalm 139? It speaks of our God who is inescapable. God never leaves us alone. When we meet together for worship, God's presence is more noticeable for many of us. When we meet online, it can be harder to feel. I am in search of ways we can still feel that fellowship with each other. Your thoughts?
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, April 5th and Easter is one week away. Ordinarily we would also have Maundy Thursday worship this week. As the governor's orders are currently to last through April 10th, I will be working on online services for these dates, but am hopeful to have an Easter Sunday service, April 12th. Please stay tuned should this change. For the current guidelines from the Governor's office, you can visit this site: https://cv.nmhealth.org/2020/03/23/state-enacts-further-restrictions-to-stop-spread-including-stay-at-home-instruction/ Keep in mind that these guidelines might change.
Friends, we are living in fluid times, when information keeps changing. It can feel a little like standing on shifting sands when what we wish for is solid ground. Our God is our solid ground. Let us remember to stay prayerful and calm. Also please remember that, as it says in Isaiah, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
If you have special prayer requests, or just want to talk to me about how you're doing, I want to know. I am trying to make phone calls around to our members - especially those I know are having particularly difficult times. I am available for a phone call, or to do a "drive through" visit. Here is a beautiful benediction hymn that is my prayer for you: https://youtu.be/GZHrtHdbdOE
Prayers:
Tom Anderson - continuing pain in extremities, chemotherapy
Lorraine (Teresa Gallegos-Brake's daughter) difficulty swallowing
Gloria (Teresa's sister) - problems with her veins
Sharon - arthritis and difficulty walking
Kurt Goldston - continuing chemotherapy
Nancy Sallee - thyroid problems
Susie Martinez - severe headaches
Sondra Carlson Moore - chemotherapy
Families affected by school closures
Our economy, business owners, employees and families
Our nation's leaders
Those looking for a cure and for vaccines against COVID-19
Those living in densely populated areas
Our elderly and those with weak immune systems
For creative solutions for our isolation
Those who are lonely, depressed, without hope
Those who grieve and those who are sick
What are your new prayer requests? Please let me know at 575-708-0860.
Until we get clarification from the State of NM, our in-person events will be on hold. Please remember to call each other, especially those you know who have health problems, and let them know God loves them.
In the meantime, God be with you till we meet again.
Much love and many hugs,
Rev. Amy Pospichal
We have weathered another weekend when we did not have an in-person worship service. Hopefully you were able to access our "online" worship bulletin and sermon. If not, here it is again: sway.office.com/OjRTPUKyEBSBH9Ki?ref=Link&loc=play
I believe that it is a good thing that our church is trying new ways to reach out to the online community, but this virtual worship is no replacement for being together in God's sanctuary. (in fact, it's not much fun not being physically with you)
New information is being released each day. Some of you have been forwarding me your own sources of information about COVID-19. We have to be wise about what information we share with others if it is not well-documented or without reliable sources. Most of us are not medical experts.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has provided us with an Advisory Opinion document (attached below) about the celebration of Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) during times of pandemic and they recommend that we can do a virtual celebration, as we are restricted from mass gatherings I am looking into this and will be in conversation with our Elders and Deacons about this and we will determine what is the best solution for our little church.
The experience of Holy Communion is a celebration of God with Us in Jesus Christ, an experience of Jesus' real presence in and among us. Remember Psalm 139? It speaks of our God who is inescapable. God never leaves us alone. When we meet together for worship, God's presence is more noticeable for many of us. When we meet online, it can be harder to feel. I am in search of ways we can still feel that fellowship with each other. Your thoughts?
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, April 5th and Easter is one week away. Ordinarily we would also have Maundy Thursday worship this week. As the governor's orders are currently to last through April 10th, I will be working on online services for these dates, but am hopeful to have an Easter Sunday service, April 12th. Please stay tuned should this change. For the current guidelines from the Governor's office, you can visit this site: https://cv.nmhealth.org/2020/03/23/state-enacts-further-restrictions-to-stop-spread-including-stay-at-home-instruction/ Keep in mind that these guidelines might change.
Friends, we are living in fluid times, when information keeps changing. It can feel a little like standing on shifting sands when what we wish for is solid ground. Our God is our solid ground. Let us remember to stay prayerful and calm. Also please remember that, as it says in Isaiah, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever."
If you have special prayer requests, or just want to talk to me about how you're doing, I want to know. I am trying to make phone calls around to our members - especially those I know are having particularly difficult times. I am available for a phone call, or to do a "drive through" visit. Here is a beautiful benediction hymn that is my prayer for you: https://youtu.be/GZHrtHdbdOE
Prayers:
Tom Anderson - continuing pain in extremities, chemotherapy
Lorraine (Teresa Gallegos-Brake's daughter) difficulty swallowing
Gloria (Teresa's sister) - problems with her veins
Sharon - arthritis and difficulty walking
Kurt Goldston - continuing chemotherapy
Nancy Sallee - thyroid problems
Susie Martinez - severe headaches
Sondra Carlson Moore - chemotherapy
Families affected by school closures
Our economy, business owners, employees and families
Our nation's leaders
Those looking for a cure and for vaccines against COVID-19
Those living in densely populated areas
Our elderly and those with weak immune systems
For creative solutions for our isolation
Those who are lonely, depressed, without hope
Those who grieve and those who are sick
What are your new prayer requests? Please let me know at 575-708-0860.
Until we get clarification from the State of NM, our in-person events will be on hold. Please remember to call each other, especially those you know who have health problems, and let them know God loves them.
In the meantime, God be with you till we meet again.
Much love and many hugs,
Rev. Amy Pospichal
| PCUSA Advisory_Opinion_communion_in_an_emergency_or_pandemic.pdf |
RSS Feed
