Dear Congregation:
I am writing this email before the snow comes, in anticipation of what will be! If the roads are clear as Sunday rolls around and if we are not at a level 2 or 3 (our policy is not to have worship in a level 2 or 3), we will be gathering together in the sanctuary on Sunday, February 6, at 10:30 AM to worship!
Last Sunday we heard the story of Jeremiah's call, and this Sunday we get to hear the story of the Prophet Isaiah's call, but we also get to hear the story of the disciples being called to follow Jesus. This is one of my favorite times of year when we dive into the stories of Jesus and his disciples. As people who claim to be Jesus' disciples ourselves, we read these stories to remind ourselves of why we follow and who we follow and what it means to follow. It's easy to get into a rut where we follow because we've always followed, but if we are called for such a time as this (to quote Esther's call), what are we called to be and to do today?
Part of what we might be called on this week is to check in on each other and on our neighbors. Are our houses staying dry enough? warm enough? Do you have access to food in the storm? What about coffee and blankets? What do you have to share? Can you pick up the phone and call someone? Can you text someone or email someone you haven't seen in awhile? Can you shovel your way over to your elderly neighbor's house to check on them? Can you write some Valentine's Day cards and get them in the mail for someone who might need to know they are loved by God's people this month?
Peace be with you, my friends. I pray that we will all be well. I know God will keep us and sustain us.
Pastor Katie
Upcoming Events
Sunday, 2/6:
10:30 a.m.: Worship Service
Saturday, 2/12:
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Session Retreat & Session Meeting
Sunday, 2/13:
10:30 a.m.: Worship Service & Congregational Meeting
Service Update
We will continue to meet in person for worship and broadcast our services online, knowing that Seneca County is stressing caution for those who gather in groups. If you cannot worship with us on Facebook Sunday morning, you may also watch the service on our web page, www.fpctiffin.org during the week.
I leave you this poem by Jan Richardson that seems apropos for this week.
BLESSING IN THE CHAOS
To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.
Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,
that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.
Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.
Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief