Great interview with Kelly & Patience and their “Free Lunch Giveaway” at the Church (more details below): https://cbs3duluth.com/2020/09/24clark-family-keeps-duluths-morgan-park-community-fed-with-free-lunches/
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 27: 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 28: 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!)
Thursday, October 1: AA meets in the Fellowship Hall, 7 pm. Masks and hygiene protocol required.
Community Information:
**Free Produce Giveaway, every Monday, 5 pm until gone in front of the Church: The Morgan Park Community Garden Program is giving away free produce. This week (September 28) we'll have a cooking demonstration involving Kale. 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! If you are 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: Kelly & Patience began giving away free lunches several weeks ago. It has now grown to over 40 lunches shared per day (with 80 lunches shared one day last week). The church is offering our resources to support them, including kitchen space and volunteers. We are 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. Or you can donate. Here is a list of items needed: -Juice boxes, -Small bags of chips (any variety), -Small bags of snacks (cookies, crackers, etc.), -Sliced turkey lunchmeat, -Beef hot dogs, -Sara Lee Classic white bread, -lunch bags, -plastic sandwich bags. (Financial donations always appreciated!)
**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: This is 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 the Appalachian Dulcimer.
**Halloween Event? Even though we can't 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 who are facing significant medical issues right now. While we don't share names on our reminders, please know that you and your loved ones are in our prayers and we are here to support you. If you would like to be included on the Prayer Chain, contact the office.
From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday
…”By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” ~ Matthew 21:23
I've been reflecting, recently, in a big picture way, about what it means to b e a pastor and whether or not I'm honoring the full breadth of my calling. I take stock of how I was called, what I've learned from school and what I've learned along the way, my hopes and dreams, and the hopes and dreams of others. Here everything spins around…like a pinwheel, I imagine, and at the center of all this spinning is the stillness of the pin at the center. That's where God is. That's where I begin my prayer.
But as I write this, as I reflect, the smell of pulled pork wafts through the window. It's out on the table, being served for the Free Lunch Giveaway. There's a gaggle of voices out there. There's a chance of rain so somebody showed up with a large canopy. From the Sanctuary are the sounds of Cathy and Linda practicing what sounds to be a prelude or postlude. The phone rings. It is a person experiencing a difficult time. In the meantime, I hear the sound of children laughing. I hear cars honking their horns as they pass and someone shouting: “free lunches” and “thank you” and God bless.”
“Do what's in front of you,” I hear God say from that place in the still center.
“Pastor Paul, do you have an extra extension cord?”
“I'm on it!” Then back to reflection.
Now I think I hear Cathy and Linda playing “Called as Partners in Christ's Service” – hey, that's a good one for Sunday! “Called to ministries of grace” it continues…
So y'know what? I'm done reflecting, for now. There's a lot going on out there so I'm going to wrap this up and send it to Clarice just as it is. I'm going to get past my navel-gazing words and into the messy middle of people being fed, music being created, neighbors chatting, cars honking, kids laughing…..
– Isn't that what God is saying?
Keep in touch,
Pastor Paul
Do what is in front of you.
Does my life reflect my call?