A                          from

Rev. John Scotland

message

May 13th, 2020

EVERY SUNDAY

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A reading from Psalm 130:5-8

Dear members and friends of Community Presbyterian Church of Brigantine,

Annie and I thought we were thinking way ahead when we planned for the celebration of our 40th by renting an old house on one of the NY upstate finger-lakes for a week in August this summer.    All of our girls and families have planned to be there together, which was more important to us than a house in a more “crowded”, lively context.  Unfortunately, Annie and I watch with sadness as the COVID19 quarantine gets extended further and further.  Our celebration was something we were looking forward to - a date that we could count on when this would all be over and we could get back to the life we once knew.  But it seems, there is no end date! Be strong friends.  Take heart and wait!  Prepare for the long haul and be courageous.  What does that mean today for us?  We stay the course, stay home, stay well.  It may be not what we want to hear.  But it's not all that tough.  We will make other plans.  Stay the course, stay safe.

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Closer to home, Debbie Enderlin, Sue Clark, Gina Herz, and of course, Brenda and Liboria keep the True Spirit Coalition Pantry humming!  Families got 5 to 7 bags of all kinds of groceries today as they pulled up to the pantry windows.  What can you do?  Refer families and individuals who are stretched by these tough times.  Tell them to call the church office and talk to Brenda about getting on the list for the Pantry - (609) 266-7942.

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Admin & Finance Zoomed this past week.  We discussed the fact that the City has canceled Family Fun Day (SummerFest) and so we discussed some alternatives for fundraising.  Since our meeting, we learned that the Farmers Market will be operating but with stringent guidelines.  Member Care zoomed this week and expressed concerns about our members who are growing wearied and worried during the quarantine.  We made plans to reach out to each other AND we agreed to help organize the delivery of “hymnals” to anyone that needs it for joining worship.

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And, WORSHIP has been well attended but there is room for everyone, really!  Join us LIVE on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am for singing (let us know your hymn requests and we will try our best to include them in worship!), and 10:15 am for worship.  If you want to try to join us, use this link www.facebook.com/brigchurch.org to join us on Facebook.  Also, you don’t have to be on Facebook to join the worship - Bob Schilling is sending out the link on YouTube to see the worship later in the week.  If you are not getting his email, please call him at (609) 457-0728!

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The CHURCH WEBSITE IS www.brigchurch.org.  Check it for updates, announcements, and info. Don’t forget, you can reach me at brigchurch@aol.com or on my email at jrscotland@aol.com.  My cell phone is (609) 457-2999 - feel free to call or text.  If you are a Facebook member, find us at “Brigantine Community Presbyterian Church” and “LIKE” us!

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If you are alone, if you are reaching the end of your emotional energy if you are getting overly anxious or stressed out - please reach out to one another.  Stay connected by phone or text or through the internet.  We have a long way to go and we must pay attention to our own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  None of us were ever meant to tough it out alone!

Please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (609) 457-2999!  Call Jim Walker, chair of Member Care, at (609) 338-2252 - OR - call Mental Health HELPLINE at 1 (866) 202-5357!

What does God require of us?  Do justice.  Love kindness.  Walk humbly...

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- John