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...and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 1 Kings 19:12
What interesting words to describe the presence of God - "a sound of sheer silence." Older translations say it was a "small voice." The powerful voice of God is not necessarily booming and loud. It is as quiet as quiet can be. Hearing God's voice, requires deep listening.
How do you hear God's voice?
This week I came across this You Tube of Hugh Bonneville of Downton Abbey Fame at a Christmas concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReApJymYSiw ) The video caught my eye because the hymn title is one of my favorites: It is Well With My Soul. The video is nearly 17 minutes long as it tells the story of the hymn writer and his family. Maybe you've heard the story about how Mr. Spafford lost his 4 children in a wreck at sea. Only his wife survived.
He had stayed behind in Chicago to wrap up some business, so was not with the familyl when the tragedy occurred. He soon sailed to England to meet his wife and on the voyage was shown the spot where his daughters had perished. He knew he needed to keep his faith and the first verse of the hymn came to him:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
The family experienced other losses, but had two daughters who lived to adulthood. In 1881, the family moved to Jerusalem with a group of Christians to establish a center to serve people who needed help. One of their daughters eventually established a children's hospital, which is now a center for children in East Jerusalem. https://spaffordcenter.org/about-us/history/
We are living in challenging times. May we, like the Spafford family, not lose hope. May we continue to hear the voice of God speak into our lives and through our lives. May we, like the Spafford family, say without reservation, "It is Well With My Soul."
Love, Rebecca+
Here are announcements for the next three Sundays. I will be here this Sunday, August 9, and then on vacation August 16 and 23. The Rev. Jim Robertson will be the celebrant and preacher for those two Sundays.
Rebecca will be on vacation from August 10 through the 24. The Reverend Jim Robertson will be providing pastoral care. If you need pastoral care, please contact Jill Hoover at 717-979-0180 and she will contact Rev. Robertson.
Suggestions for Giving To Others (GTO) Funds. If you have a new recommendation for GTO funding, please contact Wendy Day by September 1. We are planning to give away $20,000 once again.
Rebecca can bring communion to you. Please be in touch with her at 717-567-6514 or 717-433-1556 and she can arrange a time and talk how to do this safely.
BINGO prize donations for gift bags at the Commons and Gardens are needed.
Household items such as dish soap, paper towels, etc. Please drop items off at the church by September 13.
COVID Testing Available at Sadler Health Center, 1104 Montour Road, Loysville. Testing is available by appointment Mondays and Wednesdays, 12 – 3:30pm. Call 717-960-4393 to make an appointment.
Farmer’s Market Coming to Newport September 27, October 25, November 22 Plans continue for a monthly farmer’s market adjacent to our parking lot. There will be up to ten vendors. Look for more information on dates. The market is sponsored by Friends of Newport.
Helping with the Church Garden If you would like to help harvest the church garden bounty, come on Monday 9 – 11am. You are also invited to spend part of your Thursday at the garden. Pick produce and bring your lunch. Enjoy meeting others in a safe, distanced way. And there is ALWAYS weeding to do.
Perry County Food Bank Phone to drop off donations, (717)582-9978. To make a monetary donation, send a check to: Perry County Food Bank, PO Box 37, New Bloomfield PA 17068
The Juniata County Food Bank is in need of donations. Cash / gift card donations can be mailed to: PO Box 44, Mifflintown PA 17059. Items may be dropped off at: 114 North Main Street, Mifflintown
The Race and Unity Action Coalition (RUAC) will have their next Chat and Chew via Zoom on Monday, August 24. Have open and honest conversations about race within a large group and then also in small groups. See Rebecca for information on how to attend or join the RUAC page at: https://www.facebook.com/RaceUnityActionCoalition
Summer Virtual Liturgy Offerings During the summer, the Diocesan staff is offering virtual worship on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Liturgies will be posted on Friday mornings and will be about 35 minutes in length, including sermon, lectionary readings, music, and prayers. You can find all of the liturgies here: https://diocesecpa.org/shaped-by-faith-liturgies/
Online Course Redeeming Dementia offered through Next Church. Led by Dorothy Linthicum, the course includes information about the medical and spiritual aspects and what parishes can do to support people with dementia and their families. If you are interested in taking this course together as a group, through Zoom or in a book discussion, please let Rebecca know
August 30 Blessing of the Backpacks Teachers and students are invited to bring their backpacks either in person or virtually to the service to be blessed for the new school year.
