A Note about the Front Door (presently boarded up with plywood)… here's what Pastor Paul posted on Facebook: Greetings! No, we have not had throngs of people beating down the doors in search of Coney Dogs, nor a mob of angry church members demanding shorter sermons and more respectable footwear from the pastor. We have, rather, a couple of wonderful church members with plucky spirit that have begun the process of refinishing our doors. I think they figured even if the pastor wasn't handsome, at least the church could be. Driveway entrance is open. Come say hello. (Pastor Paul)
Sunday, September 20: Worship at 10:30 am. Church doors are open and we welcome members to worship with us. Masks are required and social distancing and hygiene protocols observed. Pastor Paul posts weekly sermons on YouTube. Sermons are also available by email and posted on our Facebook page, or, if you would like a copy mailed to you, contact the church office at 218-626-2570 or office@unitedprotestantchurch.org.
Monday, September 20: Bible Study/Faith Conversation: 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Join us as we explore this week's Gospel and share the stories and questions of our faith. (Sometimes we even learn a thing or two!)
Community Information:
**Free Produce Giveaway, every Monday, 5 pm until gone in front of the Church (note change of location): The Morgan Park Community Garden Program is giving away free produce every Monday from 5 pm until gone. The goal is to get folks to eat healthy in an area that has little access to fresh produce. All are welcome and encouraged to receive! Note: If you're interested in supporting the Community Garden Project, contact Pastor Paul and he'll get you connected.
**Free Sack Lunch, Weekdays, 12-2, in front of the church: Karlisha and Patience began giving away free lunches a few weeks ago. It has now grown to over 40 lunches shared per day. The church is offering our resources to support them, including kitchen space and volunteers. Note: We're in need of extra support to keep this ministry going! Your help would be much appreciated. We begin prepping at 10:30. Contact Pastor Paul for details.
**Saturday, September 26: Ruby's Pantry: 11 am-12:30 pm, Mission Creek Church, 521 131st Avenue W.
**Saturday, October 3: OUTDOOR Holiday Harvest Bazaar: Norton Park UMC, 436 N. 79th Avenue W., 9 am-1 pm, crafts, Halloween treat bags, curbside lunch takeout. *Wear mask** and **social distance**.
**RetireGuide: A free web resource dedicated to providing useful information to help older adults fulfill retirement goals. RetireGuide recently published what they believe to be an easy-to-understand guide on the ins and outs of Medicare. This free resource highlights coverage, costs, eligibility and enrollment information, along with answers to some frequently asked questions. For further information, take a look at the following: retireguide.com/medicare/ or retireguide.com/guides/senior-benefits-discounts/ For questions, contact Juan Sousa, Outreach Coordinator for RetireGuide, at jsousa@retireguide.com.
A Look Ahead:
BEGINNING IN OCTOBER: Wednesday Evening TIme of Prayer and Sharing, Wednesdays, 6-7 pm in the Sanctuary: We welcome you to gather at the church on Wednesdays for a mid-week calming time of prayer, music, and conversation led by Pastor Paul. Music by Maria Gross on piano and/or Jim Larson on Appalachian Dulcimer.
Halloween Event? Even though we cannot have our regular Halloween Carnival, there are a number of folks interested in offering a safe alternative for the community here at the church. Ideas abound. Interested? Contact Pastor Paul.
Joys and Concerns/Prayer Chain: We have a number of people and loved ones that are facing significant medical issues right now. While we don't share names in our reminders, please know that you and your loved ones are in our prayers and we are here to support you. Note: If you'd like to be included on the Prayer Chain, contact the office.
From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” ~ Matthew 20:16
I broke out the harmonica today…in front of the church, sitting in a folding chair, out by the road while the sun was shining. I get a little antsy when sitting still, and in between waving to passersby and chatting up the neighbors, I needed something to occupy my time. I was filling in for Karlisha, Patience, and the crew while they had to step away for a moment from their “Free Lunch Giveaway.”
“I didn't know you played the harmonica.”
“Oh, I'm not very good at it. I just love to mess around.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Thanks. I don't often play around other people.”
Truth is, I kinda stink at harmonica. I mean, I know a few bluesy licks that I learned back in Seminary days (when I'd have to stay awake on the drive home from the Twin Cities), but if you put me in a group I'd effectively wreck whatever they were trying to play. I've tried to get better – tried to practice – but eventually I fall back to the few things I learned way back when, smile a bit, and set it back down.
Do I need to get better? No. All I really need to do is enjoy playing the harmonica.
So it is with so many things we do, especially when it comes to church. Here I am, distributing simple lunches to people who are greatly thankful for them. My pastor mind dreams up a thousand ways we could take Karlisha and Patience's ministry to the next level (my brain goes to rescuing food from local restaurants, hosting a free dinner, offering additional resources, on and on and on), but instead of getting out my pad and pencil and making to do lists, or sitting on the phone making connections to ramp up this ministry, I sat back, played a few happy but humble notes, and gave people some happy but humble nourishment.
I like to think my smile and joy is a type of nourishment as well. See, I'm not here just to dole out lunches. I'm here to love people.
Do we need to feed every resident in Morgan Park, and repair every broken system that undergirds the increasing divide between “haves” and “have-nots”? Well, it'd be nice, and I like to think that every little thing we do takes a chisel to the giant slab of concrete that is injustice….
…but the main thing I need to do is enjoy loving them.
Keep in touch, friends,
Pastor Paul