Sunday, September 6: Worship at 10:30 am. We will share communion. Church doors are open and we welcome members to worship with us. Masks are required, social distancing and hygiene protocols observed. Weekly sermons are posted on YouTube. Sermons are also available by email or, if you would like a copy mailed to you, contact the church office at 218-626-2570 or office@unitedprotestantchurch.org.
Monday, September 7: Labor Day. Bible Study is cancelled.
Produce Giveaway is moved to Wednesday, September 9, 5-7 pm. Location pending (either at the church or at the Iron Mug).
From Pastor Paul, Toward Sunday
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” ~ Matthew 18:20
I've already confessed this to some of you, but here goes: I rather enjoy being in places where nobody knows I am a minister: a gathering of people I haven't met, a bar or an eating establishment, a random conversation, on and on. Likewise, I like to sit quiet and listen to other people talk – morning restaurants are good for this.
I like to do this because quite often, as soon as people discover my vocation, the tenor of a conversation changes. Often, a sort of moral reflection arrives in the person or group, with telltale signs of straightened shoulders and tightened lips. Either people attempt to carry themselves more appropriately, or people ask questions, tell stories, or speak their piece about religion. It can quite quickly take the air out of a room. In my experience (which admittedly may be quite biased) very few people are neutral about religion.
But then (and I love this) they get to know me. “Never met a minister like you,” they say. “Well, then, you're going to wrong churches!” I reply.
Which gets me a-wonderin': how might I behave differently if I weren't a minister? I think of the jobs I used to have, before or in-between church calls, and the conversations I had and the friendships engendered there. I always found it easy to find common ground – something of shared interest, something in common. I've also always been quick to lend a hand, share what I have, listen with empathy – those sort of things. I'm one of those fellows that believe that people deep down are all quite good, no matter the brokenness they wear as veneer…
Because I'm one of those fellows that believe that Jesus is walking with all those people, deep down, no matter the brokenness they wear as veneer (or no matter their history with churches or religion). There is love and care in each person, though sometimes it may seem more like tarnished brass or copper. It doesn't take a shared badge of – or belonging in – Christendom to share fellowship with another person. It doesn't take a title or a role or a name. All we have to do is care about them.
Keep in touch,
Pastor Paul