DOORS: The first refinished door has been completed and installed. Come take a look! (Thanks again, Dale and Scotty!)
Sunday, October 4: Worship, with communion, 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 are 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, October 5: 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!)
Wednesday, October 7: Wednesday Evening Time of Prayer and Sharing, 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary (see details below).
Thursday, October 8: AA meets in the Fellowship Hall, 7 pm. Masks and hygiene protocol required.
Community Information:
**Free Sack Lunch, Weekdays, 12-2, in front of the church: Karlisha and Patience began giving away free lunches several weeks ago. It has now grown to over 40 lunches shared per day (with 110 lunches shared last Friday). 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. A list of items needed includes: 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, October 3: OUTDOOR Holiday Harvest Bazaar: Norton Park UMC, 436 N. 79th Avenue W., 9am – 1pm, crafts, Halloween treat bags, curbside lunch takeout. Wear mask and social distance.
A Look Ahead:
**BEGINNING OCTOBER 7: Wednesday Evening Time of Prayer and Sharing: 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 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
“Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” ~Matthew 21:43
The news…the election…the protests and fake news and gossip and rumors and…whew! Last night I made some homemade pizzas and watched some enjoyable television, just because it felt good. Just because I wanted to feel good.
I've had so many big-picture conversations recently o n the state of our country, the state of the world, the state of our faith – sometimes I need to be reminded that this present moment has every bit of God's grace and God's work within it. Why, then, would I spend so much time thinking about it, and less time appreciating it?
I'm thinking that it's in our appreciation where God's grace flows. And when God's grace can work within me – within any of us – we begin to produce the fruits of the kingdom.
How about this? It's a fair assumption that God wants us to spend more time cultivating and collecting the produce than contemplating what sort of fruit we might be wanting to plant in the first place.
It's all too easy to get lost in our thoughts right now. All the more reason we should take some time and appreciate what is around us. And when we do so, we'll begin to see the fruits of the kingdom all around us. We'll begin to see that God is there.
Keep in touch, friends
Pastor Paul