This Sunday’s service will focus on Matthew 10:40-42 and Jeremiah 28:5-9 with a sermon entitled:  “Small Stuff.”  We will be graced with a guest soprano who is a studying with Julia.

Just a reminder that Betty and I will be renewing our wedding vows following the service on Sunday — and everyone — is invited to join us at our home for a picnic type afternoon from 12:30 - 3:30.  Please bring chairs — if you have a few extra “bag chairs” bring them along for those who might not have a chair.  All food and beverage and dessert will be taken care of.   Bring yourselves as a gift — for you are.

God Bless You All,

Gary

Greetings to all,

As I sit here on Thursday afternoon, the rain is falling and the skies are grey (gray?).  Gary is off to Camp About-Face. sleeping in a van, DOWN BY THE RIVER (joke for Satuday Night Live fans)!

This Sunday, we have some wonderful Bible passages, full of intruige, suspense, the love of God and horror! (Maybe not so much horror, but there is certainly some malfeasance in society going on.)

We will read from Jeremiah 20:7-13 in which Jeremiah tells Judeans to cover because you-know-who is not to H-A-P-P-Y with humanity (again!) and Jeremiah is tired of being the fall guy and he lets everybody know it (including You-know-who!)

And then in Matthew 10:24-39, Jesus explains what being a disciple is all about, to include some intra-familial reckonings to be established at a later date when things go awry, which they will!!

And we will not read Genesis 21:8-21 (but it is part of the June 22 lectionary) in which Sarah (mom of Isaac) and Hagar (mom of Ishmael) (both daddied by Abraham) have a go as to who stays and who goes.  Typical male, Abraham asks, “What’s the problem?” (not really, but he somehow seems to sidestep the whole issue.)

So come and join in the festivities and other stuff.

Peace,

John

The readings this week are Genesis 18:1-15 (Abraham and Sarah re: It’s a boy!  But I’m not pregnant!) and Matthew 9:35 - 10:8 (The sending of the Twelve - serious stuff).  Question: When Jesus looks through YOUR eyes, what does he see?  You might want to think about this for the service.

We are also starting a book reading (to be discussed at a gala affair on Wednesday, June 25) on Henri Nouwen’s “Life of the Beloved.”  Copies can be purchased at the church.  Come one and come all!  We will read a different book each month this summer and will have a  discussion meeting at the end of June (Nouwen), July and August.  Read a great book and come to the meeting ready to discuss and share your   visions about each book.

Have a great Saturday and remember:  on Sunday, early to rise gets the best seats in church!

Peace to all,

John

This Sunday will be a fun day with a Baptism and Communion and scripture (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26) and a wizbanger of a message entitled:  “Faith by Braille.”  Kind of touching isn’t it?  We will formally kick off our Summer Reading Program with:  Henri Nouwen’s great little book entitled:  Life of the Beloved.  There will be a sign-up table downstairs to join the reading group and if you would like to purchase the book, they will be available for $13.50.  The plan is to read the book by June 27th and then we gather for some dessert and conversation around the book.  Great way to do some good reading and share some great thoughts with wonderful people.  Does it get any better than that??

This Sunday we will be receiving the Deacons’ Fund offering as well as canned FRUIT for the food shelf.