News for the Church, 6/25/21

Good day to you Church!

It’s the end of June— the enchanted season of fireflies, who flit in the late evening dusk. Have you seen them yet? They bring magic to the world! And today the breeze is rustling gently through the leaves of the trees, the sweet smell of cut grass is in the air, and the lilies are beginning to put on their summer show. I hope you’re savoring all that the earth is rejoicing in right now!

Just a couple of announcements to mention today for today.

Petr Zuman Calling Hours and Memorial

For those who haven’t heard, Petr Zuman has passed away. I did not have the chance to know the Zumans, but from what I hear, they were beloved church members of old. For those interested, calling hours will be tomorrow, Saturday, June 26, from 2-3 pm and a memorial service will follow at 3 pm. You can check out details at the Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam.

Rev. Whitehead Leads Worship July 4

Rev. Shaun Whitehead had been scheduled to preach this Sunday, but she and I had a miscommunication and she is unable to be here. So I will be leading worship this week and she will be filling in the following Sunday, July 4.

Also, please be in prayer for Gordon Batson, who has recently had surgery and is still in Syracuse recovering.

Consider the Lilies

Friends, even though summer is upon us, there is much in the world that is still difficult to bear. For those of us who are caught up in the cycles of “worry-warting,” a reminder from Jesus about the lilies of the fields might be a welcome thing. Here’s the Message’s translation of the famous passage from Matthew 6:

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Looking for the lilies this week,
Pastor Katrina