I heard that David Huffman did a lovely job in leading worship yesterday! Thanks to David Goldston for making sure (as Worship Elder) that we had someone to fill in while I was out of town. I got back into town at about 8PM last night. Thank you to all for this opportunity. I will be in Virginia for about a week next month to visit my parents.
This Sunday will be Independence Day! We will sing a little more than usual and celebrate a musical Sunday as we contemplate the meaning of Freedom. Seems as though singing is a good way to do that! Music speaks louder than words, after all. "It's the only thing that the whole world listens to." (quoting Peter, Paul and Mary <---click to hear song)
Let's start with Prayers:
Amy (Glenna Gray’s daughter) multiple upcoming surgeries
Betty (Alzheimer’s) and Dolores (paralyzed) – Glenda’s sisters
Dorothy Randals – at Autumn Blessings, for strength and comfort
Elmer Schuster - ongoing dental surgeries, leg pain
Fay Birch – stage 4 cancer, prayers for her husband, Larry too
Glenda Coles – injured rotator cuff, waiting for MRI results this week
Julie Sursa – pain with walking
Lissa – Glenda’s granddaughter (doing better, still in need of prayers)
Lucy Jasper – Alzheimers/Dementia
Lynn Hawkins – looking for a new home in town
Marty Garcia – severe pain, awaiting MRI and answers
Mela Otero (Loretta’s mom) - cancer
Patsy (Glenda’s niece) – hospitalized with COVID
Ruth Johnson – for general health, preparing to move to Wisconsin
Shara Isler - hospitalized, friend of the Schusters
Sharon and Wayne Huffman – general health, Wayne preparing for surgery Wednesday
Shay – Julie Sursa’s daughter
Stephanie Sparks – breast cancer
Susie - knee injury, in a leg brace, planning for EMS school
Teresa Gallegos-Brake – continuing to heal from leg surgery
Those in Florida affected by building collapse
Travelers
All those suffering from COVID19
Calling Presbyterian Women! I would like to set up another meeting for either Saturday July 11th at about 1:00 or Sunday, after church on July 12th. The purpose is to have a second business meeting of the year, including further visioning of the PW Rummage Sale (Rebooted). I will be in touch with our PW officers this week about this.
Independence Day. I picked up a small paperback once by theologian/Bible scholar Ernst Kasemann. The book was called "Jesus Means Freedom." I have found that title fascinating, for the name "Jesus" means "The Lord Saves." Jesus also "meant" freedom, in every way that He spoke of God's forgiveness and grace. But I also find Independence Day, as a Christian person, to mean something a little different from simply the freedoms we enjoy as American people. As people who live between the "now and the not yet," and who are "in this world but not of this world," we have some very exciting and interesting ways of looking at the meaning of "freedom." As you and I share a celebration of our independence as citizens of the United States of America, we have something else to celebrate. We have the gift of independence which transcends every earthly lord and government. Our independence suggests also a responsibility. When we pray the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us," there seems to be a responsibility there.
Green Chile Gals: On Monday, let's get together again for supper at the Fellowship Hall. Dutch Treat Dames are invited one week from today to gather for a fellowship meal. Let's do what we did last month: everyone bring a sack lunch and if someone is cooking something that you can share, just bring it on! The fun will start around 5:45PM Monday, July 5th.
This Week:
Today, Wednesday and Friday: Exercise, Eat and Pray meets at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. Mobility and Strength - enhancing exercises for the older set. All are welcome. We end with coffee, some random snacks and prayer.
Today - I am resting, since I am so tired after my drive home.
Tuesday at Noon: High Noon Yoga - we meet at noon! All are welcome. To stay on top of last minute changes to the yoga schedule, please text your request to 575-708-0860. We might go out to lunch afterwards.
Deacons' Sunday: This Sunday, July 4th is Communion Sunday. BUT, let's remember a time-honored tradition, which is that Communion Sunday is also Deacons' Sunday. Please consider making a gift to our Deacons' Fund. This fund is given 100% to our church, for the Deacons' Ministry. They send flowers to the sick and grieving, set up communion meals, send birthday cards, prepare for special occasions such as funeral meals and Christmas Eve gift sacks. The Deacons are the "on call" people of our church, as are the prayer grapevine. They are there when we need them. If you want to give a little support to their ministry, you are invited to put "Deacons' Fund" in the memo line of your check, or put your gift in an envelope labeled "Deacons' Fund," so it gets to the right account.
Summer Reading: What are you reading as you curl up by the pool, sit in the passenger seat of the car, or wait for your seat to be called at the airport? Please let me know. Maybe we need a church book recommendation list. I started reading Erik Larson's book, In the Garden of the Beasts, a historic account of an American (a fellow alum of my alma mater, Virginia Tech) in Germany just as WWII is about to begin. I am interested in knowing if you are a reader and if you would like to read something with me?
I hope that your week off to a sacred start. May you encounter God's living presence and know it, as you go about each day. I look forward to bumping into you sometime this week.
Much love,
Amy