Friday from First!
May 15, 2020
See Jesus. Show Jesus. Share Jesus.
GRADUATION RECOGNITION SUNDAY!
May 17, 2020
The "Parade" starts at 1 PM in the Library parking lot. Maps of the route will be provided. Decorate your vehicle with Eagle Pride! We will honk and cheer as we drop off cards and gifts at each graduate's home. Let's congratulate these graduates:
Maggie Bourn, New Ulm High School
Jessica Jeske, New Ulm High School
Kaye Rysdahl, New Ulm High School
Paige Sowers, Home School
Mattea Sievert, Concordia-Moorhead
Sixth Sunday of Easter
You will want to tune into our online worship service Sunday at 9:30 AM, as we hear from each of these amazing young women and get to "the Heart of the Matter" in John 14. This week, Jesus makes a promise and gives a command, in preparation for his departure.
Christ's words struck me with new meaning when we read them together on Wednesday night. I realized that Jesus experienced exactly the same emotions I have been feeling. Jesus felt the same mixture of grief and joy as he said goodbye to the friends who had shared his life and ministry. Even as he tried to get one more lesson in, to cement his teaching in their minds, he knew that the time for teaching was nearing its end. It was time to release his followers into the work that would continue after he was gone.
As I pack up books and decide which pots and pans go into what box, I feel sadness mixed up with gratitude. My anxiety over unfinished tasks is combined with trust that "the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion" (Philippians 1:6).
This is why Christ's promise to send the Holy Spirit as our Advocate, Companion, Comforter, and Counselor matters so much on this sixth Sunday of Easter in "Coronatide." Holy Spirit continues to sustain us and support us as we obey Christ's command to love one another. So let's gather to worship together, each from our own safe spaces, and uphold one another in love, as Christ commands. See you on Sunday, Church!
MOVING FORWARD...
Learn Zoom - if you have not yet participated in a Zoom meeting, now is the time to try it out! The Leadership Board discussed forming small groups that meet online, and there are many ways to do this through Google Meet, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Zoom. So far, Zoom is leading the way in providing easy to follow training videos, which you can find here.
Familiarize yourself with this tool to help us stay connected and nurture each other's faith.
Re-Opening Plan - The Resource Management Team is working on a plan to prepare for returning to in-person worship. Even after the Stay Home order becomes the Stay Safe protocol, we will not quite be ready to return to large gatherings in our building. Groups still need to be 10 or fewer, and physical distancing, face masks, and disinfecting all surfaces will need to happen every time "two or three are gathered together" in Christ's name. Even singing together will not be safe. Those who have other medical conditions, and anyone over 65 years old, should continue to worship at home. For this reason, you can expect that online worship will continue, even after in-person worship resumes with very strict limitations. If you do not currently have internet access, you might want to check out the resources listed at the bottom of the New Ulm Schools COVID-19 resource page. If you need help navigating these resources, call the church office and Lorna will put you in touch with someone who can help.
Communion - Our backordered communion kits have been shipped, so we should have them in time for the first Sunday in June. I'll give you more information about how this will work next week, but learning Zoom now will make it easier for you to participate in the Communion service.
Looking Ahead...
May 24 Ascension Sunday
May 31 Pentecost Sunday - We can use LOTS of Readers!
June 7 Communion Sunday - live on Zoom
June 14 The Taylors' last Sunday
June 21 Rev. Matt Kennedy preaches and leads worship
June 28 Welcome Pastor Nick Scutari and his family
I'm praying for you, Church!
Pastor Jo Anne