|
Greetings!
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a quote attributed to Helen Keller while videoing a daily check in through Facebook. Keller stated: “The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.” Helen Keller Friends, we find ourselves at a bend in the road. CoVid-19 entered our lives and brought change to us. This was not any one person’s doing. This was not the choice of any person. CoVid-19 has brought change and change is the bend in our road. This change has disrupted our normal routines. It has disrupted our corporate worship. It has disrupted our gatherings, travel, work and the list could go on and on. The great disruption which we call CoVid-19 has given us a bend in our road! A disruption to the way things used to be! This Sunday will be the 12th week since we last gathered for corporate worship. It has been 3 months and much has happened in our nation and world. As things in our state begin to resume with some regularity the leadership of Gibsonburg United Methodist Church has begun the conversation of relaunching corporate worship. The Bishop of the West Ohio Conference, Bishop Palmer, has issued guidelines concerning worship services during this time. These guidelines can be found on the website of Gibsonburg UMC at www.gibsonburgumc.org. The leaders of Gibsonburg UMC will continue to prayerfully consider the many aspects of what relaunching corporate worship includes while striving to create a safe environment for everyone. With the health and safety of all we are considering all options and opportunities available to us. Please keep us in prayer as we navigate this bend in the road. Friends, how do we, Gibsonburg United Methodist Church, make the turn? I believe we must be united! I want you to hear that…. we, you and me, Gibsonburg UMC must be united! WE MUST STAND TOGETHER! We cannot allow our own thoughts, views and opinions of CoVid-19, what has happened nor what we believe should be done divide us. We are at a crucial time in the life of our church and we must do what the Apostle Paul said to different congregations: Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Philippians 2:2 Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. To be like-minded we must think the same! The scriptures tell us that as a person thinks so they will be. This means we must think about the same items of importance. The most important thing for a church is the mission. Our mission at Gibsonburg UMC is to Love God, Grow in God and Go for God! We do this best by sharing God’s love and the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with this world. The mission must consume our thoughts. We must love God and people; we must grow in our faith and we must Go for God on mission of sharing His love! Being of the same mind means:
Let’s be like-minded with one another in the days ahead! As we move toward relaunching corporate worship services, we ask that you stand united with us in 3 ways. First, pray for us! Pray for Gibsonburg UMC! Pray for the leadership of Gibsonburg UMC! Pray for our government! Pray for guidance and direction! Second, stand with us by being the voice of life! Speak words that are life giving and encouraging to one another! Share uplifting thoughts with those from our congregation who are in need while not allowing your speech to disintegrate into unmerited criticism! Speak life! Thirdly, as you are comfortable lean into being part of the solution. You can do this by getting involved at your level of comfort. Lean into being a part of the music moments! Lean into being part of the micro-communities! Lean into connecting with one another by phone, card, text or email! Lean into doing your part so when the time is right, we will be ready to gather in person. Friends, we will continue to keep you informed in various ways, via email, USPS, website and by phone. We ask you stand with us, UNITED TOGETHER! We ask you pray, speak words of life and begin to lean into being involved as you are comfortable! Prayers of blessings to each of you! Pastor Max News at a Glance: For more information on these and other ministries please call the church office at 419-637-2159 Micro-Communities A Discovery Group Experience on zoom. Zoom is video conferencing technology which utilizes the internet to bring people together. We laugh, share, study God’s word and all are invited to participate! Music Moments A moment of music to lift the spirits of those isolated during this pandemic. As we social distance we gather at the residence of those requesting a music moment and sing, pray and listen to scripture. If you would like to schedule a music moment please contact the church office. Prayer and Fasting We are calling all who are able to a time of prayer and fasting. We are asking you keep in prayer our world, nation, leaders and all affected by CoVid-19. Please choose any day of the week and any amount of time and join us as we stand united in praying and fasting. Prayer Ministry If you are in need of prayer please contact the church office to place your request on the prayer chain. Thank you! Thank you for your continued support of prayer and financial gifts. We covet your prayers as we navigate this uncertain time. Until we are able to gather again, we echo the words of the apostle Paul; “We thank our God in all our remembrance of each of you!” |
RSS Feed
