Just a few quick updates.
Last month, we wished Pastor Paul well as he set off on a new call with a new new congregation in another state. Rev Sara Lund is once again joining us to lead services and offer some pastoral care during this time of transition. Meanwhile, our Search and Call Committee has started the process of searching for a new pastor and will be keeping us posted as that develops.
We continue to film and post sermons online, which can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Xc1n-MOitpORgPnglQw5A/videos at your leisure.
Some sweatshirts are still available for purchase, in limited sizes and colors. Reach out to the church directly, to Linda Rominger, or to Kathy Lee to purchase.
All activities other than Sunday services and a good Friday service (2pm) remain suspended due to Covid-19 at this time. All are welcome to attend on Sunday mornings with proper social distancing and use of masks.
Have a lovely week!
Last week’s reminders
WEEKLY REMINDERS:
Last week's worship is now available in video format here: https://youtu.be/XNUcYmtSXow
My apologies that it's not much to look at, as I'm still working out the formatting, but the audio is clear. And sorry for the delay. It seems my old computer is not a big fan of new technology. Little by little, we'll get this right!
Staying Connected!
In this time of separation, we are collecting messages to be shared with your fellow church members! Send your thoughts and greetings, joys and concerns, by email or phone. We'll compile these messages and send them via email (and I'll print out copies and deliver them to those without email)… Send notes to Pastor Paul: pastorpaulvanantwerp@gmail.com / 218-349-0143 or to the office: office@unitedprotestantchurch.org / 218-626-2570. Let those you love know how you're doing, and that you are thinking of them.
Here's a few updates for this week:
-John and Doris Toman say hello! They are doing fine.
-Our sympathies to Cathy Dale and family. Her sister-in-law, Kathy, was hit by a vehicle and killed while walking with her husband Tom (Cathy Dale’s brother).
-Dick and Sue Linde say "Miss you! Stay safe, and get out for a walk! Oh, and Dick says "about one more week before he goes crazy!"
Helping One Another
For those in need of assistance of any sort in this time, there are a great many resources our church and community can provide. We'll do our best to keep track of these. If you need a hand (or know of somebody who does) send a note to Pastor Paul or the office. You are not alone.
Offering
The majority of our income here is based on the offering we receive on Sundays. Without meeting, there is concern that we will significantly diminish our financial resources. We kindly ask that, if possible, you continue to contribute as you would during worship. You can mail any offerings directly to the office at 830 88th Ave West, Duluth, MN 55808. Unfortunately, the bulk of the church’s operating expenses will continue even while we are forced to suspend services – insurance, utilities, etc.
Toward Sunday
Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." – John 11:44
In one of the meditations I practice as I walk and pray (and talk to myself and frighten passers-by who think "creepy man talking to himself!), I imagine God's presence as a wide open field, or range, with endless space where I may wander and explore. Think of driving through Montana or Wyoming as an example. Then I picture the places where, in all that wide open space, I build for myself (or others try to build for me) various fences, barbed wire, and boundaries–things intended to keep me isolated, or separate, from all that God offers. Some are of my own making: "I'm not good enough…or smart enough…or strong enough…or willing to take that risk or work that hard." Others appear from social convention, rules and regulations, norms. "People here don't behave like that! We expect you to be like the rest of us. Don't be too radical, nor too extreme!" Still others, I'm hardly aware I've created until God gives me the gift of seeing them, such as the grip of frustration, or anger, or sorrow. How many ways my horizons are limited by these fences I create all around me! And how great is a God that routinely gives me the tips and tricks to tear down the boundaries that keep me from full relationship! (Cue the western swing music: "Give me land, lots of land, lots of starry skies above…don't fence me in!").
Well, it's nothing quite as amazing as the raising of Lazarus (this week's Gospel), but those last words in John's eleventh chapter this week got me to thinking about the many times and many ways I have felt raised and healed and unbound and able to let go from a similar simple expression from Jesus. Sometimes I snap out of my boundaries by hearing a message that is blunt, and to the point… something like: "Ok Paul, enough already!" And sometimes it takes deliberation and time, creativity and patience, and a whole lot of gentle encouragement from Him.
But I tell you friends, when I hear Jesus say it…my heart and soul listen, and I rejoice. I breathe a deeper breath and think a clearer thought. I am a little more complete as a person than I was before.
Friends, in this time, many of us feel those fences present, obscuring the freedom of our horizons. But as always, we can focus on our scarcities (what we don't have), or our abundance (all the good surrounding us). As I said near the closing of last week's sermon: Look around you… there in your home—in the space you have created day by day. Look out the window to the change in seasons, what God creates day by day. Look around and welcome it.
I've heard stories in the past week of wonderful cooking and baking, of much needed organizing and overdue repair, of reading good books, mending the clothes (and learning to sew!), long telephone conversations with distant friends–I've even heard that this time of isolation has made people feel more connected because they never could justify all the time for friendships previously in their busy lives!
I'm pretty sure it's fair theology to say that God will never limit our horizons, nor "fence in" our faith. I'm also pretty sure that if we feel held back, or "bound" in any way, turning to God, and listening for the guidance of Jesus, is a sure way to expand our horizons and help us be the people God hopes that we will become.
So, here's your homework: send me a note or leave me a message (contact info above in the "Staying Connected" paragraph) and let me know how you are embracing what God has given you, here in this time when so many others struggle to see beyond the limitations. …And if you're struggling, well, give me a call about that as well! It'd be nice to chat.
Keep in touch, Pastor Paul
Wednesday Meals Cancelled Until Further Notice
With the ongoing concerns about covid-19, the congregation has made the difficult decision to suspend Wednesday night meals until further notice. As things progress, we will be continuing to evaluate and make decisions as a group. If a decision is reached to suspend any other church gatherings, we will be informing friends and members as early as possible.
Be well, everyone!
Updated sign
Weekly Reminders (January 26-February 1)
*Thank You! You are much appreciated!*
**Dick Linde & Ernie St. George have been keeping the walks and steps clear
of snow.
**Kevin Behm & Jason Rengo brought over a skid-steer and pushed back the
snowbanks that were trying to take over the back parking lot.
*Sunday, Jan. 26:* Worship at 10:30, followed by our Annual Meeting and
Church Potluck
*Monday, Jan. 27: *Bible Study at 6 pm. Join Pastor Paul as we explore this
week’s scripture in the Lectionary and bring into our lives and faith.
Questions encouraged.
*Tuesday, Jan. 28: *AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm
*Wednesday, Jan. 29: “Grill’s On” Community Potluck: *Who says we can’t
share a potluck twice a week? It’s winter, after all! Join us between 5 and
7 as we share a meal together. (No choir this eve, so it’s time to play!)
Friends and strangers welcome! As always, bring what you have, or just
bring yourself. There is always enough!
*Thursday, Jan. 30: *AA meets in Fellowship Hall, 7 pm
*Saturday, Feb. 1: *Morgan Park Community Movie at Good Fellowship Club,
featuring “Flubber” (starring Robin Williams), 5:30-7:30 pm. Popcorn will
be served. Come early to make your own “flubber.”
*Mark Your Calendar:*
**Monday, Feb. 10: Baking Day – Doughnuts & Cookies. All are welcome to
come and help make doughnuts and bake Valentine cookies. Watch for more
details.
*From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday*
*”Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” *~Matthew 4:20
Heading to the store after work today, and sitting here wondering what
I should make for the Church Potluck on Sunday. Do I lean on an old
standard “comfort food” that I might be assured most people would love? Or
do I go to the fringes and bring something new and creative that folks
haven’t tried before? What’cha have a taste for? Familiar or new?
If you’re like me, it changes. Some days the comfort of the familiar
nourishes me, and some days I sojourn out toward new and exciting things. I
think my faith varies the same way. I have my old standbys – my prayers and
my walks and quiet thoughtful time, a familiar hymn rolling through my
head, a familiar text or scripture that always feels just right, and I
thank God for all of these gifts. But admittedly, I sometimes get rather
used to the view, and every once in a while have to reach out past my
horizons. A new study or commentary, a sermon or lecture from a different
perspective, a conversation with somebody that doesn’t see the world the
same way that I do. I thank God for those moments too – especially those
moments that send me spinning off in a new direction, or pull the rug out
from under theological constructs I previously thought to be solid and
immutable.
And I thank God that I’m not the first. I think of the brothers Peter
and Andrew, or the brothers Zebedee (Doo-Dah!), and the scripture preceding
this ramble. “Immediately they left”…and on they went into the story we
share every week here at church. What if they said: “y’know, it’s been a
long day, and it’s kind of chilly out. I think I’ll just head home, curl up
on the couch, and watch my favorite show.” Or what if, more guarded, they
said: “If I had a quarter for every slick-talking preacher that tried to
nudge me this way or that! I’m gonna stick with what I know!”
We have a meeting this Sunday to lift up and prayerfully consider the
health, well-being, and future of this ministry we share. On the potluck
table, we’ll have some familiar dishes and comfort foods, but we’ll also
have a few new and different things inviting you to expand your horizons.
In those folding chairs around those tables, we’ll have people across the
spectrum the same. Some are seeking growth and change, new and different.
Some are seeking comfort and familiarity. All are holy, in the time and
place they nourish and empower us. We give thanks for the familiar things
that have nourished us. We give thanks that the Zebedee brothers left the
familiar and followed Jesus. What’cha have a taste for?
Keep in Touch!
Pastor Paul
Weekly Reminders (January 5-11)
Gracious thanks to all that shared their time and resources for the giving and receiving of Christmas kindness. Mitten Tree. Blanket Drive. Toy Drive, Cookies. Choir. Cleaning. Decorating. The list goes on and on! Together we made Christmas beautiful for our church, and for more people than most of us will ever know.
Sunday, Jan. 5: Worship at 10:30, celebrating Epiphany. Looking forward to returning after a week cancelled due to weather. Fellowship downstairs to follow.
Monday, Jan. 6: Bible Study – 6 pm: Back after a long hiatus! Join Pastor Paul as we explore Sunday’s scripture. Let it be a fresh breath for our faith!
Tuesday, Jan. 7: AA meets in Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday, Jan. 8: “Grill’s On!” Community Picnic: After two weeks off, let’s get back together! Join us between 5 and 7 as we share a meal together. As always, bring what you have, or just bring yourself. There is always enough! (Hey! Invite a friend!)
Thursday, Jan. 9: AA meets in Fellowship Hall.
Looking Ahead
**Tuesday, Jan. 14: Church council meets at 7 pm, Trustees & Diaconate 6 pm. (Note the change back to Tuesday meetings – and start time moved up 1/2 hour.)
**NEW MEMBERS/RENEWAL OF COVENANT: Interested in becoming a member? (Or interested in renewing your covenant with the church after a period of absence?) Join us on Monday, January 13, 6 pm. **We’ll welcome new members and celebrate renewal on Sunday, January 19.
From Pastor Paul: Toward Sunday“Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice….” ~Isaiah 60:5
Slowly, the Christmas trinkets are packed away, and set back into storage. Or maybe you’re a “get it done” sort of person, and you’re well ahead of me. Anyway, it is safe to say the season of Christmas is over.And yes, the days are getting longer, but the gray and the rain seem to lay over me like a wet dishcloth. Blah. Then I start the new year with a heaping helping of the flu. I begin the New Year not wanting to (and hardly able to) get out of bed. Double Blah.And then I write the words from the Prophet Isaiah above: “Be radiant!” “Thrill and rejoice!” The punctuation is mine, but it seems to fit, no? I mean, radiance and rejoicing do not seem to be the kind of words you can say when you’ve got a case of the “double blahs”…yet that is what God asks of us, here as the bright red flare of Christmas fades. God asks: “Did you get it? Do you know what all of this means?” It’s a lovingly worthy challenge for us. Now that the tree is down, can we retain the wonder and excitement? When even the most nimble of us are forced to waddle more than we walk on these icy sidewalks, do we retain a spring in our step for the season? When we’ve quite honestly had our share of socialization and would rather just curl up alone, do we retain our spirit of welcome and goodwill? Of sharing and gift-giving and fellowship and song? You know, for a fellow just coming out of a heaping helping of the “double blahs”, I’m rather thankful for the nudge. I’m thankful for the reminder that God is not seasonal, no matter how much I (or any of us) may try to make God so. Yeah…that’s a great reminder to myself: God doesn’t pulse brighter in one season than another. So how do we remain filled with that bright hot Holy Spirit? Need a hand? I do. And lending a hand to nurture one another’s faith is at the core of what we do as church, right? Let’s see what we can do together. Thanks for being there.
Keep in Touch!
Pastor Paul