OCTOBER 23rd

It’s Friday and Sunday’s Comin’!

Please note:  No In-Person Worship this week!  

Although we want to offer in-person worship as much as possible, we know there will be times when we have to move “Online Only” to help prevent the spread of Covid. This is one of those times.  

Both Tammera and myself received what could be described as close contact with an individual who has tested positive for Covid. We have both taken tests but will not know the results until after the weekend.  We will wait to know the results before being with a group of people.  

Click the blue “Worship Now” button for online worship — a service presented by leaders of our Annual Conference with Bishop Julius Trimble preaching.  This worship service was prepared to be helpful to pastors and congregations for just such a time as this.  

And now a note about would have been our scripture for Sunday:  I was planning to preach on the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Obednego (three of my favorite biblical names!) from the Book of Daniel, chapter 3.  King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden idol and expected everyone to bow down to it and when S, M and O wouldn’t do it, the king had them thrown into the fiery furnace.

Of course, the Lord saved those three — everyone saw that the fire had no power over the bodies of these faithful servants of the Lord. They were disciplined in their service to the Lord. They knew what to say ‘yes’ to and what should receive a firm ‘no.’  They were well practiced in doing what was right, so  when the challenge came, they were ready.  Their ‘no’ was powerful.

How do we get ready to say ‘no’ at the right time? Prayer, reading scripture, study, taking care of our bodies, attending worship, showing restraint in spending money, being generous with those in need, actively speaking out for the good of others — these habits get us ready for when the fiery furnace challenges us. 

Blessings always, 
Pastor Mary