LOVE LETTER #11 Love Thy Neighbor - Jesup's Website · LOVE LETTER #11 June 2, 2020 Love Thy...
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LOVE LETTER #11 June 2, 2020 Love Thy Neighbor It was with horror that I watched the video of George Floyd’s life being snuffed out at the hands (or should I say “knee”) of a Minneapolis police officer. Whereas this does not at all represent the 99% of the police officers who bravely serve us, this was outrageous. And it brings to the surface all sorts of emotions: rage, cries for justice, fear for parents who send their kids out to corner convenience stores with $20 bills, and weariness. We all weary for we’ve all sadly seen this before. And now the ugly response: cities burning, destruction of stores and looting and other officers or peaceful protesters shot. May God help us. May we once again go deep down inside and ask “Is this the kind of nation we want?” I grew up in the civil rights era of the 60’s. Yes, in a small town, but a small town that tried to bridge the racial gap in its own small way. And I wept when both President Kennedy and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated. But Dr King’s words still ring true: “I'm convinced that nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and justice. I feel that violence will only create more social problems than [it] will solve. We must love each other." Indeed, Jesus taught us to love our neighbor. To treat others as we would want them to treat us. I hope that this would be at the forefront of our national conscience and that we would begin to heal. Join me in that prayer and let us work to that end. Together, Pastor John THIS SUNDAY!! Come to the Drive In Service at 11:15am in our church parking lot! Plan on sitting in your cars, parked 6 ft apart. An FM transmitter will broadcast the service to your car radio. If you can, please bring your own bread and grape juice to celebrate communion (crackers and any kind of juice is fine). Because we are not allowed to pass out bulletins, bring a copy of this Love Letter with you. There will be an offering box for you to drop off your tithes and offerings. Be ready to wave and honk! We are the church! May God keep us united and strong. Worship May 31 Greetings Call to Worship Opening Song “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone” Scripture Job 1:18-22 Song “Blessed Be Your Name” Message: “Things Taken and Given” Communion Liturgy w/Sharing the Bread and Cup Closing Prayer and Benediction Song of Sending “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
Transcript of LOVE LETTER #11 Love Thy Neighbor - Jesup's Website · LOVE LETTER #11 June 2, 2020 Love Thy...
LOVE LETTER #11 June 2, 2020
Love Thy Neighbor It was with horror that I watched the video of George Floyd’s life being snuffed out at the hands (or should I say “knee”) of a Minneapolis police officer. Whereas this does not at all represent the 99% of the police officers who bravely serve us, this was outrageous. And it brings to the surface all sorts of emotions: rage, cries for justice, fear for parents who send their kids out to corner convenience stores with $20 bills, and weariness. We all weary for we’ve all sadly seen this before. And now the ugly response: cities burning, destruction of stores and looting and other officers or peaceful protesters shot.
May God help us. May we once again go deep down inside and ask “Is this the kind of nation we want?” I grew up in the civil rights era of the 60’s. Yes, in a small town, but a small town that tried to bridge the racial gap in its own small way. And I wept when both President Kennedy and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated. But Dr King’s words still ring true: “I'm convinced that nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and justice. I feel that violence will only create more social problems than [it] will solve. We must love each other."
Indeed, Jesus taught us to love our neighbor. To treat others as we would want them to treat us. I hope that this would be at the forefront of our national conscience and that we would begin to heal. Join me in that prayer and let us work to that end.
Together, Pastor John
THIS SUNDAY!! Come to the Drive In Service at 11:15am in our church parking lot! Plan on sitting in your cars, parked 6 ft apart. An FM transmitter will broadcast the service to your car radio. If you can, please bring your own bread and grape juice to celebrate communion (crackers and any kind of juice is fine). Because we are not allowed to pass out bulletins, bring a copy of this Love Letter with you. There will be an offering box for you to
drop off your tithes and offerings. Be ready to wave and honk! We are the church! May God keep us united and strong. Worship May 31 Greetings Call to Worship Opening Song “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone” Scripture Job 1:18-22 Song “Blessed Be Your Name” Message: “Things Taken and Given” Communion Liturgy w/Sharing the Bread and Cup Closing Prayer and Benediction Song of Sending “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”
Song Lyrics “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone”
Amazing grace How sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear; and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
Refrain: My chains are gone; I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood his mercy rains; unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me; his word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures
Refrain: (2X)
The Earth shall soon dissolve like snow; the sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below will be forever mine
Will be forever mine; you are forever mine
“Blessed Be Your Name”
Blessed be your Name in the land that is plentiful,
Where your streams of abundance flow; blessed be your name
Blessed be your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness; blessed be your name
Refrain: Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord; blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord; blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be', blessed be your name
Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering; blessed be your name
Refrain:
Bridge: You give and take away, you give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord; blessed be your name…
Blessed be your Name in the land that is plentiful,
Where your streams of abundance flow; blessed be your name
“Blessed Be the Tie That Binds”
Blest be the tie that binds; our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds; is like to that above. Before our Father's throne, we pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one-- our comforts and our cares.
Calendar Sunday, June 14 – Online Worship, 10am; see FPC Facebook or www.fpcjesup.com (click “Worship – Listen to Sermons”) News
Volunteers are needed to record our worship services. If you have a smart phone, you can do it! See Pastor John
We have scheduled the Red Cross to use our facility on June 17 for blood donations (appointment only). Precautions will be taken to keep people safe and the building clean.
Please let us know if you need a new copy of portals of prayers or daily bread. We have new books at the church and they can be mailed out to you. Please call the office to request a copy.
Prayer Requests
Concerns
Prayers from Presbytery- First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Falls- Rev. Brad Braley
For our nation to heal from the violence of these past days and to restore justice for all.
For the Spirit's guidance to re-open the building for worship and activities.
For the PNC Committee as they persevere in searching for a new pastor.
For the Summer Food Program of the Jesup Ministerial Assn to be successful in reaching out to our neighbors in love.
For Brett Zuck who is in need of a shot in his hip but unable to get one immediately. Pray for less pain & a good night's sleep.
For Diane, Judy Fratzke's sister, cancer is in her joints. She has begun another round of chemo and they are adding radiation treatments.
For Wayne Natvig who is suffering from shingles.
For all who are in care facilities (Lexington Estates and ABCM in Independence; New Aldaya and Western Homes in Cedar Falls) for virus protection and for well-being in body and soul.
For Sharon Willmore, (Diane Ernster's sister-in law) as she continues chemo.
For Barb Meister's great grandson, Jemell (5 yrs old) has a birthmark on his leg that his doctor will biopsy in April to determine if there is cancer underneath.
For comfort and company for those in assisted living: Helen Blad, Vivian Kaster.
Ongoing Prayers
For ongoing love and support through health concerns - Ashley VanHemert, Brett Zuck, Myndi Ocampo, Jan Harkin, Roberta Coleman, Kevin Kiler, Diane Reed
If you have a prayer concern please contact Shelly Hanson at [email protected] or 319-827-1701. *Be sure to indicate if the concern is to be shared with the congregation or remain private.
PASTOR JOHN’S CONTACT INFORMATION: Ph: 920-319-9971 Email: [email protected]
SHELLY HANSON'S CONTACT INFORMATION: Office 319-827-1701, [email protected] cell phone: 319-415-1602
Celebrations
Happy Anniversary to John & Marue White on the 3rd
