Grace to you and peace this day and everyday as we with God’s help and each other cope with the worldwide Covid-19 crisis. I know it is almost the only thing on our minds these days and I wonder…how are you doing? What is helping you face each unknown and what can Deacon Bill or I do to be of help/comfort?
Wednesdays at noon, Deacon Bill and I are gathering to plan worship and to pray. I invite you to join us at home or wherever you are. We will be praying for the congregation by name as we go through the directory and for others whose names you share with us. Here is a possible prayer for you to use:
“O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths untrod-den, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us.” Thus with confidence in your abiding presence we pray as you taught us…Our Father…”
Music—balm for our souls for sure. Cantor Dave shared a wonderful website recently that I think you would very much enjoy and receive comfort from it www.singforjoy.org. It is from St. Olaf College and I actually listened to their 2019 Christmas Concert this week. “Silent Night” speaks to our day! And then some of the words from “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (ELW 632)
“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home. Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure, sufficient is your arm alone and our defense is sure.”
Jesus has promised us that he is with us always to the end of the age and so we continue to have hope for
tomorrow and plan for tomorrow. Looking ahead, once we return to church:
- First Communion Classes will be scheduled as soon as possible.
- Deacon Bill is working on Mentors for our four young ladies preparing for Confirmation this fall.
- I am looking forward to leading a Bible Study on a great book from the Hebrew Scriptures: Esther.
- Plus we are looking into a field trip to see the show in Lancaster.
- The Food Pantry continues to function during the Covid-19 crisis.
- Our financial needs continue. It would be of great help if you either mail your financial gifts to the office at 318 Chester Ave Moorestown NJ 08057, or go to our website under GIVE for other ways to send your gift.
- We are asking you to continue to order Easter Flowers, which we will put outside around our sign to share the love of Christ with our neighbors.
- When we are told we can worship together again, we will have a Resurrection Sunday!
And now…
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord’s face shine on you and be gracious to you;
may the Lord look upon each one of you and give you peace. In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
In Christ,
Pastor Peggy Marks