Have you ever had those moments where it feels like a realty check? Moments where you feel like things are going pretty well then you hear something that sends your stomach into a pit of despair? Can you picture that moment? If it was a moment in a movie you would hear an upbeat soundtrack and suddenly a record scratch and see the character’s mood change drastically?
That is how 2020 has felt for so many. There were high hopes going into a new year. We had great momentum as a church. There were so many plans going and excitement. Everyone could not wait for the events. There was joy around normal programs - XYZ, UMW, food pantry, and more. I was gearing up to have a big planning retreat in May to map out the next calendar year and vision together for our church.
Then cue the record scratch and pandemic. Honestly, I think we all thought it would be a few weeks of not meeting and slowing the spread. Then it stretched a little longer and a little longer still. Even in the midst of that, we were able to still do ministry. We had worship online, sent out weekly calls with messages of hope, and the food pantry still going.
When the Covid-19 cases seemed to stabilize a little in Arkansas, we were given the ok for outdoor worship. So, we adapted. We changed how we worshipped. Yes, meeting in a parking lot is less than ideal (especially in the summer heat), but it meant we could worship together. It meant that we could gather safely. It meant that we were able to see our friends and neighbors.
I noticed in the sanctuary after our last parking lot service the altar candles. The heat has gotten to them. At first I thought this is par for the course for 2020. The candles have given up. Upon further reflection, I recognized that the candles didn’t actually break. They bent as far as they could, but didn’t break. Our faith does this for us. Just when we think we have had to bend as far as we can with this pandemic, God is there holding us together. Scripture reminds us of this. We have so much hope because of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (The Message)
We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.
We are praying for you as a congregation but also individually. If you are struggling right now, please call us. I am happy to listen and offer any resources I can. Also, I will pray with you on the phone.
Keep bending, but don’t break. God hasn’t left us.
Pastor Jana
Upcoming Preaching Schedule
August 9th - Genesis 32:22-31 - “Jacob Wrestles with God” - Rev. Jana
August 16th - Genesis 45: 1-15 - “Joseph Makes Himself Known” - Rev. Jana
August 23rd - Exodus 1:8-2:10 - “Israelites are Oppressed” - Rev. Jana
August 30th - Exodus 3:1-15 - “The Burning Bush” - Rev. Trinette
Join us on Sundays for Drive-In Worship or watch our sermons on Sundays at afternoon on our Facebook page or YouTube page Click here to go to our page.
Church During COVID-19
The leadership team is staying up to do date with all of the guidelines. We will continue to follow them based on the best interests of our congregation. Our relaunch team met again this past week.The number of cases in the state is still high. We decided we would like to see numbers coming down before moving worship into the sanctuary. We value the congregation and want to make worship inclusive to those that are in the high risk group for Covid-19. We will continue to have worship in the parking lot as of now.
August Worship:
We will continue to do Drive-In worship at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings through August.
Leadership Meeting: August 10th at 6:00 via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86081486918
Meeting ID: 860 8148 6918
+13126266799 US (Chicago)
We appreciate everyone being so faithful in tithing. It really makes a difference for our church to not have that added stress in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you so much for your generosity and supporting the church. From past information, it looks like our tithing is close to what it would be for this time of year. So a huge thank you!
As a reminder, you can mail in your check, drop it off on your way out from worship, or you can give online.
In July, we served 72 Households!
21 of those households were new clients.
July Food Pantry Dates:
August 6th & August 20th
We invite you to pray for these individuals daily. If you have a prayer request that you would like added to our prayer list, contact us.
Jim Pringle
Bob Sowa
Earl Clark
Sherri Sowa
Baby Diamond Austin - Debbie Erne's grandson
Brett Essex
Pam Fish
Jimmie Lee
Taylor and pregnancy
Sue - Jim's Sister
Family members with Cancer Caregivers
Essential Workers
Doctors
Nurses
Our World
For those in need of healing
For Our Church
Feeling down? Try this resource.
Number to dial is +1 (833) 993-2383 for help and support of counseling due to covid19. You MUST include the +1
Our mailing address is:
2415 S. Fair Park Little Rock, AR 72204
Contact us:
Rev. Jana - jana.green@arumc.org
Rev. Trinette - tsherriv@gmail.com
