In Isaiah 58, the prophet exclaims, “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in” . As the people of Israel returned from the cloud of exile and struggled to rebuild their lives, Isaiah questioned their efforts: Are you not called “to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them?” (Isaiah 58:7).
Then in Matthew 25, we hear Jesus calling to us, “For I was hungry and you gave me food … I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing. … As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”.
Isaiah and Jesus are making an important theological point: faithfulness to God causes us to find solutions that will mend broken things— broken lives, broken spirits, broken hearts, broken relationships—things that happen to all of us throughout our lives.
When we give to the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering on Easter Day, we are combining our efforts with those across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to repair peoples’ lives — people who are hurting, broken, oppressed, lost or on the margins of society. The exact people about whom Isaiah and Jesus are speaking. The people we are called to connect with every day, but especially in the light of the Good News of the resurrection.
I invite you to visit the OGHS website (pcusa.org/oghs) to find all sorts of information on how your gift helps people all over the world and offer prayers for those who will receive monetary support through this offering. Small changes which, when added together here and around the globe, make huge differences in the lives of our siblings in need.
It also happens that this year is the 75th anniversary of One Great Hour of Sharing—this is the perfect opportunity for our congregation to recommit to our participation in this important opportunity to do our part to participate in God’s ongoing repair of the world God so loves. There will be a special offering on Easter Sunday and Gracie Fish Banks will be available for each family to donate to support our Youth Ministry.
That brings me to my challenge. I challenge each of you to increase your gift to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to benefit Presbyterian ministries to combat hunger, provide assistance after disaster strikes, and to work with sustainable community development. It is my hunch that you will see how giving opens your heart to God’s work in your own life. I hope that you’ll join us this Easter Season as we collect this offering and tangibly witness to the repairing love of God in Jesus Christ through One Great Hour of Sharing.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Julie
The season of Lent is one of my favorite times of year. Even though it is traditionally thought of as a time of restraint and discipline, I look forward to the time we spend together as a congregation during our 40 day journey to Easter. We use this season as a time of reflection; to grow in faith and improve ourselves for God. Lent is a shift in perspective, from the awareness of who Jesus is during Epiphany to the reality of his sacrifice on the cross. The ashes at the beginning of Lent illuminate our human brokenness and our need for salvation through Jesus. Through study, prayer, various activities, and mission projects we are able to take time out of our busy schedules for God.
Each year our Lenten discipline has reflected our needs as a community of faith. Through study, prayer, and various activities and mission projects we have come together as a family. I am reminded of an African Proverb, “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Each one of these experiences have allowed us to share time with each other and strengthen our bonds as a church family.
This year I thought long and hard about how we would best use this time of preparation. Is there something special that our congregation needs right now? After much thought, I realized how Lent could be a perfect time to reflect on what we have learned from Project Regeneration and use that to pave a way forward as a church. I stumbled upon the study “Jesus Revealed: the I Am Statements of Jesus” and thought, what better way to be led through challenge than through Jesus’ own words. Hopefully this time of study and fellowship will help us to see our future path more clearly and do so with faith and confidence in what lies ahead. To quote Arthur Ashe ‘Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”
I invite you to enjoy the journey. Know that this experience is a rare gift. Not only does it allow our hearts to be ready for the good news of Easter, but it also gives us a rare opportunity to consider what it means to be Easter people. I leave you now with this simple prayer to bless these next steps together.
Prayer for Travellers
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hands.
Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm. The program will feature the adult choir along with guest singers who will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble and piano. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the program. All are welcome.
This year, The Scholarship Committee of Suffolk Presbyterian Church USA welcomes
applicants the opportunity to be awarded one of four Willis-Volper Scholarships. The scholarship cover letter and application are now available to download at https://suffolkpresbyterian.org/serve-with-us/scholarship-program/.
Opportunity to purchase a symbolic lily to benefit Edmarc Hospice for Children.
Forward form to the church office by 4/6.
In the story of God, as we tell it, there is a barrier
that exists between the Created world and its
Creator. A wall. Sin, we believe, separates us
from God, and separation from God is
unbearable.
Our story goes on to tell us that God, seeing that
we had no hope in ourselves of getting over, or
through or around what separates us, offered us a
gift in Jesus Christ, who opens a door — a door
we could not open ourselves.
What a gift!
But the story goes on to say that Jesus is the
perfect gift; not only opening a door but coming
through it. Our story says God is with us.
In Jesus, God joined with humanity, pointing the
way to the end of our separation. And in his life,
death and resurrection, so our story of God goes,
Jesus is the door, now standing open. The giving
continues because God is with us, still — and
always.
Because being with us is part of God’s story,
being with others is part of our call.
During this Advent Season, we are called to
support the Christmas Joy Offering, to celebrate
God’s perfect gift and open doors for those we
might not be able to meet face to face, but who
need the support that our gifts provide.
We support the potential of students of color who
are becoming leaders in our churches and
communities as we seek to come alongside them,
to encourage and to open doors. And we support
church workers and their families who encounter
critical financial needs as we come alongside
them, to assist them — we open doors for them.
We thank God for being “with us” through the
gift of Jesus and for joining us together as the
Church and, through our gifts, with those who
have need.
The story of God, as we tell it, is not about a
barrier, but about a gift. It’s not about the
separation, but about the gift of “being with.”
Please give generously to the Christmas Joy
Offering, in celebration of God’s perfect gift to
us. Give because it brings us together, to open
doors of relief and opportunity and to
relationships that are part of God’s story, a part
of God’s perfect gift to us.
Our gifts reflect our generous God. Our gifts
support leaders in our Church and world — past,
present and future.
https://specialofferings.pcusa.org
SPC is once again sponsoring Edmarc families for Christmas. Stop by the Narthex to see the Angel Tree and consider selecting an item to purchase. Bring unwrapped items to the Narthex by Sunday, November 27.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming events. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Tuesday, Oct. 31st
6-8 PM
Halloween is right around the corner! Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat event.
The evening will include a popcorn booth and hay ride.
410 N. Broad St. Suffolk VA 23434. 539-3213
Below is the flyer for the Fall 2022 Plant Sale to benefit Living Waters for the World (LWW). Prepaid orders taken through Sunday, October 2. Please view the flyer for more details.