“How’s Your Breath”

There’s an old song in our Hymnal titled Breathe on Me, Breath of God by Edwin Hatch.  In case you’re not familiar with it, here’s the first verse:

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life a-new,

that I may love what thou dost love,

and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on Me Breath of God, Edwin Hatch

I’ve never really thought much about the breath of God.  I know that in Genesis we are told that God breathed life into Adam.  Scripture is often referred to as being God-breathed.  The Holy Spirit is sometimes described as being exhaled into the world.  But, even with all this history, I’ve never really considered the breath of God.

However, over the last twelve months or so, I have become much more aware of my own breath than ever before.  Wearing a face mask will do that to you.  Not only am I aware of every time I exhale as it fogs my glasses, but the mask also traps in the fragrance of one’s breath.  After eating a meal, drinking a cup of coffee or chewing a piece of gum, the smell of my breath is much stronger because of the mask forcing it from my mouth into my nose. 

This past Sunday, I experienced something that I hadn’t yet experienced in my year of mask wearing – Communion breath.  When I put my mask back on last Sunday after eating that wafer and drinking that tiny cup of juice, I exhaled and smelled the aroma of the grape juice.  Communion breath. 

This experience brought Hatch’s hymn to my mind.  As I received Communion two more times Sunday morning, I thought not about my breath, but the words “fill me with life a-new.”  Each time I received those precious elements, I prayed that God would fill me with all that had been missing over the past twelve months, that God would fill me with that life lived for His kingdom, and I would spend my days emptying myself for God’s purposes. 

While I don’t know exactly what the breath of God might be like, I imagine it might be a little like that Communion breath. 

It is a blessing to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we continue our Lenten message series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”  This week our message is titled: “Entering the Garden.”  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 14, verses 32-50:

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.  “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.  “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep?  Couldn’t you keep watch one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.  When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  They did not know what to say to him.

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Enough!  The hour has come.  Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.  Rise!  Let us go!  Here comes my betrayer!”

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared.  With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  Then one of the those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”  Then everyone deserted him and fled.

We will begin our service with a video of the song Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, and Where He Leads Me.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is titled Whom Shall I Fear, by Chris Tomlin.

COVID Precautions

The Church Administrative Board is continuing to monitor the COVID infection rates, hospitalization rates, and vaccination numbers for our area.  We are cautiously optimistic about the progress being made in all three of these areas.  Given the increase in the number of people receiving their vaccination and the continued decrease in infection and hospitalization rates, the Administrative Board has made the decision to return to our previous Sunday morning schedule (Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:20 with Sunday School at 9:00) beginning April 11. 

Even with our return to our previous schedule and Sunday School, please remember the COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is still expected (every other pew will continue to be closed), and we will continue disinfecting pews between services. 

We know there are some who are still not feel comfortable or able to attend worship at this time. 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. 

Announcements

Lenten Focus – Pastor Chris has invited us to focus on intentional relationships this Lenten Season.  How have you reached out to someone this week?  Take time now to reach out to that person you’ve been thinking about and let them know they are on your mind. 

Holy Week Services:

Maundy Thursday: April 1 – Service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Good Friday: April 2 – Service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Easter Sunday: April 4 – Services at 8:00, 9:15 and 10:30 am in the Sanctuary

Easter Cards for Elders & Friends –  This year due to the Covid-19 virus, we are asking the congregation to mail out Easter cards or other greeting cards with your own personal Easter greeting rather than drop them off at the church.   The addresses for the names listed below will be located on the refreshment table or on the counter next to the front entrances.       

Florence Banion, Guree Beam, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, John Chipley, Ada and Wes Gingrich, Ann Hartmann, Margaret Hopkins, James & Dixie Lloyd, Carolyn McFarland, Ruby McNew, Phillis Otis, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts and Dorothy Whitten.

We know all the recipients will experience a special Easter blessing because of the thoughtfulness of all those who participate in this endeavor.  Thank you for remembering these special people.

Flipz USA Outing – The Nelson kids and youth are planning an outing to Flipz USA in Columbia on Sunday, April 11th from 2:00 – 4:30. We will have the gym to play in from 2:00-4:00, and then eat pizza from 4:00 to 4:30.  Everyone is welcome, bring a friend too!  Please RSVP to the Jacksons or the Bakers.

Blood Drive Coming – The next Red Cross Blood Drive will on Wednesday, April 14 from 1-6pm in our Fellowship Hall.  The need for blood remains great.  We currently have over 30 appointments still available on April 14.  You can sign up to donate blood by clicking here.

Events this week:

Sunday, March 28: Palm Sunday

Monday, March 29: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, March 31: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, April 1: Maundy Thursday – Worship service at 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, April 2: Good Friday – Worship service at 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Sunday, April 4: Easter Sunday – Worship Services at 8:00, 9:15, & 10:30 am in the Sanctuary

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love; every moment of existence is a grace.” – Thomas Merton