“Water Damage”

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21

I had a rough day this past Sunday.  Before worship, I somehow managed to spill my 28oz coffee cup all over my computer – destroying it and ruining most of the papers on my desk as well.  In the afternoon a leak in a pipe was discovered by walking on some soaked carpets.   In the first of these instances, many valuables were lost – mostly in the form of all the items stored on my computer (pictures, documents, correspondence, etc).  In the second, because all the valuables were elevated, not resting on the floor, they were all safe.

In the above scripture passage, Jesus instructs the disciples on the proper place to store up their valuables—up in heaven, where they cannot be destroyed or stolen.  Additionally, Jesus instructs the disciples about the things worth treasuring – warning them that the things we treasure will inevitably end up controlling us.  If the things we treasure are so easily taken from us, then we too can easily be destroyed through their loss.

I was still fretting over the loss of my computer, the disappearance of all the files I had accumulated and saved over the previous ten plus years, and the expense of buying a new laptop, as we were dealing with the water in the dining room.  As we moved the pictures and other items of sentimental value off the shelves and to safety in another room, I was relieved that we didn’t lose any of these irreplaceables. 

All this got me thinking about the things I treasure.  Sure the loss of my computer was an inconvenience, but in the big picture, it was just a thing.  I was upset about it because I was treasuring the wrong things.  I was putting material stuff in a higher place than the things that truly matter. 

What about you?  When was the last time you considered the things you treasure?  Do you treasure things of real value?

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday in worship our message is titled “Influencers.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1-2.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

We will begin our service with the song There Was Jesus  by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton.  Our hymns for Sunday include: How Great thou Art and Freely, Freely.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Revelation Song, by Phillips, Craig, & Dean. 

Community Health Updates

We encourage you to remain vigilant in the practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing your hands as often as appropriate.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.  Additionally, if anyone who normally attends the 10:20 service would be willing to come to the 8:00 service, it would help us provide more room for new folks at the 10:20 service.  (Also, if you are worried at all about being able to socially distance at the 10:20 service, there is plenty of room to do at the 8:00 service.)

As the COVID-19 virus continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

In addition to measures in place around COVID, we also encourage you to get a flu shot this year.  Below is some information on Flu shot opportunities in the area.

Columbia – Drive-thru Flu Clinics for anyone ages 6 months and older to receive a vaccination. South Providence Medical Park – A drive-thru flu vaccination clinic will occur every Saturday beginning Sept. 19 to Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon on the east side of the building. Signs will direct traffic flow. 

Howard County – https://www.howardcountypublichealthdepartment.com/about1 – doesn’t have a drive thru clinic planned but has vaccines available through the county health department. 

Announcements

All Saints Remembrance and Celebration November 1 – We will remember our church members and family who have entered the Church Triumphant over the last year as part of our observation of All Saints Day on November 1. 

Reception for Pastor Appreciation Month – There will be a reception for Pastor Chris & family for Pastor Appreciation Month following the 10:20 service in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Nov 1. 

Roll Up Your Sleeves – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood and platelet donations continue to be essential to hospital patients.  Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need.  We will be hosting a blood drive through the American Red Cross Tuesday, December 1, from 2 – 6 pm in our Fellowship Hall.  Stay tuned for more information about this but please help spread the word.  If you would like to register to donate, please visit the online scheduler (you will have to search by our zip code – 65233). https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time   We are hoping for at least 20-25 donors at this event. 

Christmas Program Rehearsals Beginning – Practices for the children’s Christmas program will start November 1st and will be conducted during Children’s Church.

Events this week:

Sunday, November 1: All Saints Day Observance – 8 & 10:20 Worship Services

Reception for Pastor Appreciation – following 10:20 service, Fellowship Hall

Monday, November 2: TOPS, 9:30 am

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, November 3: Election Day, Fellowship Hall in use as polling place, 6 am – 7 pm

Congregation Care Team, 7:00 pm, Foundation Classroom

Wednesday, November 4: Bible Study, 9:00 am, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Trustees, 6:00 pm, Foundation Classroom

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” ― John Wesley