For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
Kindred in Christ,
Our journey through this pandemic has been a long one, encompassing much of 2020. There is still a fair amount of road ahead of us before we come out the other side of it, but every day we find a new way to adjust, to live in the midst of restrictions and new policies.
This is no different for the church. As we consider what returning to in-person worship may look like, we will be working under policies and procedures that are meant to keep all of us safe and healthy, while at the same time fostering an opportunity to engage our faith in a familiar way.
As we work towards that, there are still other ways to deepen your faith through worship, prayer, and engagement with one another.
Downtown United 2020: This week our joint worship is being led by St. Paul’s United Church. You can find the pre-recorded service on the Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2wvjhQzgAm-2Co5WvRkmA by 10 am on Sunday, July 26th. Don’t forget that Rev. Richard will be hosting a Zoom gathering on Sunday morning at 10:30 am for a viewing of the worship service, after which all are invited to join in conversation. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/422755131. The schedule for this and the rest of our worship services for the summer can be found: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/summer-worship-schedule/
Pastoral Care: Rev. Richard is eager to connect with you and walk with you in the midst of these difficult times. If you are interested in prayer, or just an opportunity to unload the burdens that have been weighing you down, contact him at either rev.bowley@outlook.com, or (506)262-2150
If you or someone you know is in hospital, restrictions have been loosened there as well. Clergy are now allowed to visit people who are in hospital so long as a direct request is made to the minister, with a room number. Call or email any time and Rev. Richard will get to the hospital as soon as he is able.
Planning a Return to In-person Worship: Over the next few weeks, your Board will be discussing the shape of our return to in-person worship. We hope to have detailed information on what a return will look like by mid-August to ensure it gets out to as many within the congregation as possible.
Music in the midst of Return: We don’t have a date for our return to in-person worship as of yet, but when we do, how we worship will likely look a little different from what we were used to before COVID-19 restrictions. We are looking for soloists (or bubbled groups of singers) who would be willing to share their gifts. Please reach out to Rev. Richard either by email or phone: rev.bowley@outlook.com, (506)262-2150
Summer Prayer Services: Every week, starting on July 8th, Rev. Richard will be recording a prayer service. These will be available each week on Wednesday by noon on Youtube.
- There is a schedule of readings and an order of service for the weekly prayer services available here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/summer-prayer-services/
- Previously recorded Prayer services can be found on the St. Paul’s United Church YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2wvjhQzgAm-2Co5WvRkmA
Our worship this week focuses on the love that God has for us, even when we feel disconnected from it. We are reminded that nothing can separate us from that unconditional and eternal love.
As we prepare to go into the weekend, and to join together in worship, let us open ourselves to God’s love in our lives.
You are here, O God. You call to us when we are lost. You reach for us when we feel alone. You embrace us when we feel unloved.
You are here, O God. When we close our eyes to your beauty; when we close our ears to your whispered words of love; when we close our hearts to the movement of your Spirit, you break into our lives.
You are here, O God. Nothing in all creation can separate us from your presence or your love. AMEN
Yours in Christ
Rev. Richard