“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
…a time to plant and a time to uproot…,
a time to tear down and a time to build…,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak…”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
If you are human, you have probably made mistakes. Maybe you chased after something that was not good for you, or benefitted from someone else’s exploitation. Maybe you didn’t have the right information at the time, or maybe doing something you knew was wrong was more convenient. Maybe you looked the other way; maybe you were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe you still don’t know if that was the right thing to do or not.
We who have accepted God’s love have the freedom to admit our mistakes: that we were negligent with our responsibilities, that we cared more about appearances than about truth, that our words and our actions did not line up. Only once we have acknowledged that we have planted with apathy, built on foundations of ignorance, and woven webs of lies, can we uproot, demolish, tear up, and start again.
This is clearly one of those times in which there is tearing down to be done, on both personal and institutional levels. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for clarity on the true nature of all our endeavors and for God’s redemption of all creation.
Sermon Sneak Peek
When Jesus walked the earth, his disciples had someone to go to with their questions. He was their rabbi, their teacher, who settled disputes and spoke truth with authority.
So when Jesus begins to talk about his departure, the disciples are distressed. How would they know how to live as God’s people without their rabbi to guide them?
This week we will be learning about the Holy Spirit’s role as a teacher, a Spirit of truth through whom we are gifted the continued presence of Christ and a deeper understanding of Jesus’s teachings.
Stay tuned…
Message from the Diaconal Ministry
If anyone in the church is falling behind on their bills because of the current economic disruption, we are ready to help. Students and recent alumni, that includes you! If your income has diminished and you are having trouble with rent, for instance, please let us know.
To request help, please take a photo of your overdue bill, so that the image shows the amount overdue, how many days late the bill is, the contact information for whoever should be paid, and the account number. Then email that image, along with your request, to diaconalministry@livingwatercrc.ppchurch.wpenginepowered.com.
The Diaconal Ministry Team will then evaluate the requests we receive, and as appropriate may contact service providers or pay some overdue bills directly on behalf of Living Water people. That is one way that we hope to support one another with justice and mercy.
– Jason Stansbury, on behalf of the Living Water CRC Diaconal Ministry Team
Opening Church
We are planning on returning to in-person worship as soon as the pandemic reaches containment stage. Please pray for God’s guidance and wisdom in the decision process.
Men’s Bible Study / College Bible Study
Pastor David would like to start a college students’ Bible study as well as a men’s Bible study this summer. If you are interested in a weekly meeting to explore God’s Word, please let Pastor David know!
Service Opportunities
Living Water continues to seek people to serve in leadership. The following are in need of volunteers:
- Welcoming Ministry
- Outreach Ministry
- Diaconal (Mercy) Ministry
- College Small Group Leaders for the Fall
Please contact a leader if you feel called to step up!
Online Office Hours with Pastor David
If you would like to meet with Pastor David, you can contact him at pastordavid@livingwatercrc.ppchurch.wpenginepowered.com to set up a virtual meeting. Pastor David would love to get to know all who comes to Living Water!
Some Things to Pray About This Week
- For justice and healing for those hurt by discriminatory practices of law enforcement in the US
- For the softening of hearts and opening of ears of authority figures
- For wisdom in the consideration of resuming in-person worship
- For new graduates navigating this difficult time
- For those struggling with finances
- For students who may not be able to go home for the summer
- For the flourishing of the new Diaconal Ministry
- For the world to seek God’s face and ask for forgiveness and healing
We encourage each of you to come to Living Water’s weekly Zoom prayer meeting on Thursday nights at 7pm!
See you all Sunday.
Many blessings,
LWCRC