May 22, 2022
“Congratulations. You just made it through a day you’ve never been through before. Cut yourself some slack for the stuff you think you got wrong, and celebrate the victories, however small they feel. Wake up tomorrow and try again. Rest well.” – John Pavlovitz
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Our Agape Feast/Wear Your Theology Sunday was a joyous celebration. Big thanks go to music director AJ and the choir and Epiphany and Dena for the uplifting music. Thanks to AV techs Tim and Greg for managing the visuals. Thanks to Diane and Hospitality for setting up the food and drinks. Thanks to Connie for creating this marvelous worship experience. And thanks to our worship leaders, greeters, and preparers for keeping it all running smoothly.
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MEMORIAL DAY. From a 2017 internet article by Tithe.ly
Memorial Day is less than a week away.
Many church leaders wrestle with how to acknowledge Memorial Day in their services. Some, possibly in more traditional settings, may feel the need to recognize military services members and their families. Others may sing a patriotic song or attempt to break a world record for the most American flags in a church parking lot. Or have a bagpipe group to play a patriotic medley. What is most appropriate for your church in your context and your community?
Remember the actual purpose of Memorial Day.
Most churches acknowledge all military personnel and their families on this weekend. That’s a great gesture, but military folks know this holiday focuses on remembering those who died. Wait on acknowledging all military members on Veteran’s Day.
Think about your church and community context.
Some congregations may have a significant number of families who lost a relative in military service. Then it may be appropriate to have a time of prayer for those families during the service. But that may not be true in other churches, so a Memorial Day video may be sufficient.
Avoid political statements.
Regardless of your political party, the church platform is not the venue to voice support for one party and demonize the other. The people in your services likely represent both parties, and in case you haven’t noticed, we are in a particularly tense political season in our country.
Maybe you need a moment of prayer. Maybe you need a video. Or maybe it’s best to say thanks and move on.
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Who will you be remembering this Memorial Day?
Tim and I remember and give thanks for the life of Army Sgt Alexander J. Funcheon, who died April 2007, killed by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. Alex was one of our neighbor kids who grew up with our son.
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From the PVCC newsletter archives, this week in 1972: This is a time… with powerful division, tensions… hatred and violence and death…. Wars in Vietnam and the Near East…reveal the power of fragmentation and separation within ourselves, friends, loved ones, families, neighborhoods, congregations, nations… But the early Church…experienced that greater power of ‘fusion’, of being reunited… They found that the boundaries and divisions were somehow just overcome – that many did become one! The symbols of mighty wind and tongues of fire captured something of that great ‘A-Ha!’ – so THAT’S what it’s all about! That ‘happening’ launched the early Church, filled with power for all…”
— Melanie Naden, PVCC Moderator