Greetings everyone…
This was just received from the Chair of the Council of Bishops:
“We join with Pope Francis in calling for prayer tomorrow, March 25, drawing strength from the Annunciation (Luke 1. 26-38), as we are approximately nine months from the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite all to pray to God to rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic. And all are urged to pray the Lord’s Prayer at noon in their own time zones. In the words of Pope Francis, “We wish to respond to the pandemic of the virus with the universality of prayer, of compassion and tenderness.” As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection at Easter, we have sure trust and confidence that God will hear the united prayers of the church across the world.”
On March 19, our Bishop wrote:
“We continue to monitor new information as it relates to my request of you to suspend worship. It now seems obvious that to help protect the health of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will need to forgo gathering for worship and meetings in our buildings at least through Palm Sunday, April 5, and potentially throughout Holy Week and Easter.”
In light of this, and remaining under governmental/medical recommendations to maintain “social-distancing” – Grace will continue this week to suspend worship services and all gatherings of 10 or more for the safety of everyone. Regretfully, we still cannot make a certain call on whether we can resume worship in time for Easter on April 12. We do plan to broadcast a worship service again this Sunday via our Grace Facebook page at 10 AM.
GREAT NEWS!! I am delighted to report to everyone that, based on contributions received to date, Debbie Colgrove informed me that we are projected to be able to meet our budget needs for the month of March. Thank you so very much for continuing to faithfully support the ministry of your church during these trying times! You are the BEST!!!
Please know that Debbie is still in the church office each day, Monday – Wednesday, from 8 to 4 and Thursday, from 8 to Noon. Do not hesitate to contact her, or me with any questions or concerns. God dearly loves the people of Grace UMC – and so does your pastor! Below is my devotional for today…
MESSAGES OF THE HYMNS
Hearing the Words We Sing
Amazing Grace
Perhaps the most cherished hymn Christians celebrate and sing with great joy is “Amazing Grace.” In it is captured the words of John Newton, a reprobate British slave ship captain redeemed by Christ on March 21, 1748. Newton’s ship, The Greyhound, was on the verge of destruction during a violent storm in the North Atlantic. Newton, a notorious sailor known for his life of debauchery, profanity, and rejection of Christ, had, at his own orders, been tied to the helm to ride out the storm. He and the crew had little hope of survival. For eleven days, the raging winds had shredded the sails, splintered the wood – the Greyhound was close to sinking. It was during this time, over ten hours, that Newton began to be confronted with his own mortality and reflect on the teachings of his mother about Jesus. Incredibly, his ship and his life were spared. Newton would later write, “On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.” Newton renounced his life as a slave trader and would later become a strong advocate for the abolishment of the slave trade. “Amazing Grace,” written by Newton in 1779, is his testimony to the saving grace of Christ, who was even able to save “a wretch like me.”
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
Read these words over carefully. Ponder the gratitude behind them. Imagine the power and conviction of God’s amazing grace that transformed one who everyone, including himself, thought was beyond redemption or forgiveness by Christ. The same God, the same Jesus, the same Holy Spirit is still active and available today for each of us. Thanks be to God!
Shalom…
Pastor Bruce
