News for the Church, 8/5/22

Good Day to you, Church, 

August has arrived! If you have a garden, are your zucchini and summer squash beginning to pile up? A neighbor of mine jokingly mentioned that if we don’t want to find surprises left in our cars, we’d better make sure to lock them for the next month or so. She’s got more zukes this year than she knows what to do with, and she loves to leave “presents” for people in their cars, where they least expect to find a giant zucchini waiting for them! 

Here’s the news for the week: 

Bible Study, Saturday Evenings

Last Saturday we started our new weekly Bible Study, which meets at Ivette Herryman-Rodriguez’ house in Potsdam. (8 Hillcrest Dr.) Last week, four of us gathered to sing, visit, pray, and begin exploring the book of Philippians together. We had a wonderful time! If you’d like to join in some week, please feel free. We’re meeting from 6:30-8:30pm each Saturday night. 

Sermon on a Bible Passage about Homosexuality this Sunday 

This Sunday I will be preaching on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, a passage often used to disparage gay men. This passage is not as straightforward as the English translation suggests, and we will explore what Paul might be saying in the Greek. Because explicit sexual content will be addressed, this sermon may not be appropriate for all young listeners. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. 

Pastor Katrina Away 

The last two Sundays in August I will be away. I am going to visit a friend in Boston! While I’m gone, I am thrilled to announce that Monica Sandreczki will be preaching August 21st– her first sermon ever! And August 28th, Dale Hobson will be filling the pulpit. It is a beautiful gift when people in the congregation are mature enough in their faith, and brave enough in their spirits, to lend their hand at crafting a sermon and delivering a word to the people. Please be praying for Monica and Dale, and come out to support them at the end of August. 

Gordon Batson has Moved to Assisted Living in Syracuse

As some of you know, Gordon and Cathy Batson have both been in ailing health for some time, and as of this last week, some major changes have occurred in their lives. Their son Andrew had been living with them for a number of years, but recently took a new job down in Syracuse. Because of their health issues, it was determined that it was not safe for them to remain in their home alone, so Gordon has moved into an assisted living facility in Syracuse near his son. At the moment, Cathy is still convalescing in rehab in Ogdensburg, but they are both hoping that she can join Gordon soon. If you have a minute to send Gordon a note of encouragement in this abrupt and challenging transition, I’m sure he would appreciate it.

Gordon Batson
The Hearth on James
830 James St. Apt 224
Syracuse, NY 13203

Caring for our Bodies

Friends, a number of us are struggling with our physical and mental health right now. If this is you, I hope that you will give yourself permission to be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to not be ok, and when we aren’t okay, it’s important that we do what we can to honor our needs. 

For some of us, it’s hard to say “no” to social engagements, even if we don’t have the energy for it. When your habit energy tells you to commit to things you’re just not able to do, I hope that you will be as gracious with yourself as God is with each of us. It’s ok to need a little extra love for yourself sometimes. It’s ok to say ‘no.’ 

Dear Ones, what do you need today to find wholeness? What would bring healing into your life? We spend a lot of our spiritual energy seeking to meet the needs of others, but it’s important to remember that you count too! In God’s eyes, you are just as important as the people you seek to bring comfort and care to. 

In his first letter to the Corinthians, who were struggling with caring for their bodies in the manner that God calls us to, Paul offers these words:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

~1 Cor. 6:19-20

The context of the Corinthians’ struggles was different than it is for most of it today, but Paul’s exhortation still speaks. Our bodies are precious to God, and so we are to treat them as such. 

What might glorifying God in your body look like today? 

Praying for your health and your wellbeing,
Pastor Katrina