Congregational Connector January 2021
Congregational Connector January 2021 Read Post »
Richard MacArthur
On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Richard MacArthur, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 87. In 1963, he was married, and together with his wife, raised four children. He received his law degree from Detroit College of Law in 1962 and practiced workers’ compensation and asbestos litigation law for 58 years, practicing the last 28 years with his son.
VAC’ … 1, 2, 3
We arrived at Meijer’s yesterday afternoon, ten minutes prior to our 3:45 appointment, and the line extended to the back of the store. There we met a friendly employee putting blue tape on the floor to be sure that everyone in the ever-extending line stayed six feet apart. The line moved quickly, and each new worker we met seemed to be friendlier than the last. The system was very efficient … before we knew it, we had filled out the form, given them our medical ID, and were meeting the “needler”. I asked her to let me know when I would be getting the vaccine – and her reply was, “We are all done – you can move to the next chair for 15 minutes to be safe, and then head out.” I had not even felt the COVID vaccine needle enter into my arm!
January 17, 2021 Bulletin
When to our world the Savior came The sick and helpless heard His name, And in their weakness longed to see The healing Christ of Galilee. His sov’reign purpose still remains Who rose in pow’r, and lives and reigns; Till ev’ry tongue confess His praise, The healing Christ of all our days.
January 17, 2021 Bulletin Read Post »
Good News – Bad News
As a Christian, I believe God has called us to see that there is good news in every bad news story.
Take, for example the basketball teams of our two primary state universities. Both have great coaches who succeeded winning coaches, and both enter each season anticipating success.
Good News – Bad News Read Post »
Pastoral Care, 2020 Style
In 2020, pastors found ways to care for their members responsively, creatively, and faithfully. The following is one way a Michigan District pastor found to do just that during Holy Week and beyond. Rev. Mark Hetzner has been a pastor at St. Thomas, Eastpointe for 25 years. One of the blessings of his longevity is that he is fairly familiar with the congregation’s constituency. The following is an account of St. Thomas’ journey in 2020.
Pastoral Care, 2020 Style Read Post »
January 10, 2021 Bulletin
When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptized by John, he did not come for pardon but as the Sinless One. He came to share repentance with all who mourn their sins, to speak the vital sentence with which good news begins.
January 10, 2021 Bulletin Read Post »
Happy New Year
Yes, in spite of yesterday’s events, I have kept this as my message for today. The 12 days of Christmas are now behind us. In one week we should know what is next for us in Michigan regarding the pandemic. In two weeks we should have a new president. In six weeks we will be in the season of Lent. Twenty-six weeks from now I anticipate the vaccine will be available to all of us. Fifty-two weeks from now we will be in 2022!
January 3rd, 2021 Bulletin
We are here to serve our community. As you worship with us online, the Lord Jesus is at work, uniting us as friends and family. If you are curious to learn more out ministry in the community, go to www.stl-eastpointe.org, or like us on Face Book.
January 3rd, 2021 Bulletin Read Post »
Monday, Monday
It was the first Monday after Christmas, our office was closed for the week, and I stopped by church to clean up some of my messes left after the holiday services and make a few notes for next year. I also planned to give Chris a ride to STL to refill his water buckets. Why in the world I was thinking God might be taking an extra day of rest with me now sounds ridiculous – because he certainly was not.