Church Family,

This week’s service invites us to really take in the events of the last few weeks and to listen for the pain in our culture, especially in the black community.  Racism is still with us in so many ways and we do well to listen and learn as much as we can.  The Apostle Paul, in our scripture, reminds us that sometimes we need to hear something we might not want to hear.

I recognize that this is a tough issue for most of us and I also know that folks might not always agree with where I’m coming from.  That’s OK!  I’m not claiming by any means that I have it all figured out and as your pastor I’m inviting you to think/pray/study critically to grow and learn about the issues and go on your own journey. I’m always here as a dialogue partner.  I still have much to learn.   Our church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has committed us to being an Anti-Racist and Pro-Reconciling church.  How can we better be part of the solution, rather than the problem?  This is important work for us here in 2020 and beyond.  I will be starting a reading group this summer to look at these issues.  Stay tuned.

For the service, I am pleased to include a sermon segment from Rev. Dr. Robin Hedgeman from Bethany Christian Church in Cleveland.  She is one of our stellar Disciples preachers/pastors in Ohio and she gave me permission to include a segment of her preaching last Sunday, May 31st, 2020.

Our music today is provided by Adam for the hymns.  We will have the pleasure of hearing from Jan Green on the organ!  This contemplative piece, “O Lord, hear our Prayer” provides such a wonderful meditation space for us in our time of prayer. Thank you Jan for offering your music.  We also have a beautiful communion meditation and prayer from Tim Bennett that reminds us of our common experience in this time and that we still come to the table together.  Thank you, Tim.

The direct link to the service is: https://youtu.be/fRWjZT0VXw0

If you want to join our Zoom Fellowship to watch the service and take communion together, I will open the Zoom Room at 9:15ish and we’ll have our Fellowship Time at 10:30am shortly after the service ends.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/633945472?pwd=NVRYSnd4RG96dUFNL3lQSmNwQzYwUT09

God’s peace be with you this weekend and looking forward to worship together!

Peace,

Pastor Chad