Pastoral Message and Business Updates

A few matters of business to start off:

• July 1 is a Sunday!  This is the day for the Community Worship Service at the Firehouse.  Invite all your friends and neighbors! Service starts at 10:30.
• SUMMER WORSHIP - begins July 8: 9:30am and every Sunday through and including Labor Day Weekend.

 
Compass Continues to find new opportunities for serving here in Alplaus.  Below is a list of projects begun or in process:

• Website and social media presence (alplausumc.org)
• Alplaus Amblers (Tuesdays at 9am)
• Handrails to ease accessibility (front and back stairs)
• Prayer Chain update (including text version)
• Thursday Morning Prayer Group - this is still forming, please consider joining us.  We are trying to meet every other Thursday at 10:30am.  Our focus is foundational - we are praying daily for the efforts of the Compass Project, for God’s will for the congregation, for the community, for the people of the community, for the future of the church, locally and globally.  If you would like to join us in person or in spirit, please let me know, as our schedule is still forming.

I welcome both the refurbishment of our prayer chain and this Thursday Morning Prayer Group.  Recently I entered into a prayer covenant.  One day I made a call on the phone and found a prayer partner.  The two of us agreed to experiment for a week.  We made a schedule - identifying an hour each day when we would in each of our actions and decisions contemplate how we feel God would weigh in on our choices.  During this week, I was mindful that I had initiated this experiment and that I should stick with it.  We also scheduled “check-in” calls.  However I am not so very structured in my day and my watch actually broke during this week and I have yet to replace it.  The effect of the experiment for me was to fully center my day and my heart on God.  Because I was always forgetting the schedule and what time it was, I found that in everything, every choice and all moments, I was focusing on how God could direct my life.  Now remember, I started the experiment out of a real need.  I recognized that my prayer life was lacking. For me the experiment felt like God was using the experiment to remind me of constant Holy Presence, Peace and Strength.  God is sneaky and effective like that!

In the midst of busyness, prayer time can seem like a luxury.  In reality, I find that my life seems less whole and less fulfilling and more chaotic when I am “too busy” for prayer time.  When I tuck aside time to pray - while driving, doing dishes, mowing the lawn and even, (gasp) in a chair while I do NOTHING else but be mindful of the presence and glory of God - my life feels more peaceful and complete and I feel like I am able to notice the hand of God at work in my midst and even through my simple actions.  Prayer can be both simple and powerful.  If you are looking for a prayer partner or want to try this prayer experiment, just let me know, I highly recommend it!
 
Blessings, Pastor Kristi