Micah 6:8 New International Version (NIV) 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 

And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God. 

This has been one of my favorite scripture verses for a very long time. I suspect that it is a favorite verse of many people in our church family and I know that it near and dear to all the folks who serve on our Justice & Compassion Committee here.

I have been blessed to serve all over the United States to help survivors of natural disasters and have had this verse in my heart and mind while serving them many times, but never have I been so touched by the people I have served than here at church this past Monday. 

Pastor George and Howard Herdman have been working on how we could open our shower ministry during this crucial time. So, with many precautions in place for our guests and Pastor George and myself, we reopened our shower ministry on Monday. At a time when the places that are normally available for homeless to shower are closed, we are now open. We are being the church that we are called by God to be. 

When the first women arrived, they had tears in their eyes. This would be their first shower in about 2 weeks. They were so incredibly grateful that we were opened. The smiles that were on the faces when they came out the restroom brought me to tears. They felt human again. Every one of the 3 women and 4 men that were here were so very thankful and were filled with blessings for our church. They told me that we were the only church open to help and that it was getting increasingly difficult out there on the streets. 

I am so blessed to be in ministry at a church who even during these difficult times is living into our call to be in ministry with those less fortunate than ourselves. What a humbling experience to be thanked profusely for letting someone shower here at church. It is during these times that we are called to put our faith into practice and to also realize how truly blessed we are. 

May you all continued to keep connected with each other and stay safe. 

Grace & Peace, Suzanne 

Dear Friends,

Here we are, still hanging out in that in-between-time of this uniquely challenging season. The surreal-ness of no traffic on the freeway, the new normal of working from home and learning new technology, and the frustration and fear of not being able to drop in on family and friends. We have new routines, mundane as they might seem, it is now how we are doing our days. 

Oddly enough I was thinking of Brother Lawrence, a 17 century Carmelite French monk (The Practice of the Presence of God) who experienced the presence God in the midst of washing dishes and doing daily tasks. We too can be intentional and ask God to be our companion in our daily tasks as we wipe down door handles, listen to music, play with the kids, mow the lawn or walk the dog. Even cleaning out the garage can be a unique time spent with God. We were made by God and made to be with God in all aspects of our life.

So whether you’re watching a beautiful sunset, cleaning your kitchen, or having a dance party for one in your living room, invite God to join in. God delights in you and wants to be in each moment of your life no matter what that might be.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, 

his mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

Comforting and merciful God, join us in our unordinary days and new ways of being. Help us to be aware of your presence in all our moments. Grant your peace upon us and walk with us though these uncertain times and help us to rest in the knowing that we are deeply cherished and loved by you. Amen.

Blessings,

Brenda Spencer

I remember a time when I was having a particularly difficult time in a relationship.  It was suggested to me that I find things about this person that I am grateful for.  I couldn’t come up with one thing.  This scared me. How could this person be such an important part of my life, and yet I couldn’t list one thing? I spent that evening thinking and searching.  Finally, I was able to come up with one thing I was grateful for; and then, I discovered that I had another item to add to the list and another and another.   I realized that once I was able to find that first piece of gratitude others began to stick to it like snow sticking to a snowball rolling down the hill. Just as the snowball grew as it rolled down the hill, my list grew too. I was aware that grateful thinking bred more grateful thinking. 

Scientists have studied the benefits of gratitude and have discovered when people live in gratitude, they have stronger immune systems, sleep better, experience feelings of optimism and happiness.  They have increased feelings of forgiveness and feel less loneliness and isolation. In this time of social distancing and constant changes, it might be difficult to be thankful. But God has blessed us with so much. Yes, even during a pandemic we have been blessed.  We are warm in our homes with people whom we love and love us. We have the opportunity to read, binge watch our favorite show, try out new recipes, still get an education all while we have well stocked cupboards. Ok, maybe not well stocked with toilet paper, but with food.

When we begin to look at our daily lives through the lens of thankfulness, we can see God at work even in the mess of it all. So, take this time to start a gratitude list and find those blessings and thank God for them.

I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will talk about all your wonderful acts. Psalm 9:1

God is good all the time.

All the time God is good.  

Marty