Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends, Grace and peace to you on this stormy Friday. I hope you are staying safe and dry as Tropical Storm Fay moves into our area. Earlier in the week, I sent the blessing below to a few people in our congregation. For the unpredictable times in which we live, and as a means of encouraging us for our way forward in faith, I wanted to share it with all of you. “For The Time Of Necessary Decision” by John O’Donohue, from To Bless the Space Between Us The mind of time is hard to read. Perhaps the work we do has lost its soul May we have the courage to take the step Come this Sunday expecting to receive a blessing from God. We will gather online at 10:15 AM to chat with one another, and then worship together at 10:30 AM. Our music was recorded in the Sanctuary, featuring Nancy Scharff singing “Thy Word” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” for our Sermon-Prayer-Reflection. Judith Daugherty on piano plays “Prelude in B Minor” by Chopin. I am preaching from Isaiah 55.10-13 and the Gospel of Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23 (The Parable of the Sower) and my sermon title is Holy Ground. Indeed, as we continue to mark time in this pandemic, May we have the courage to take the step Into the unknown that beckons us; Trust that a richer life awaits us there . . . knowing that God’s steadfast love and enduring grace surely travels with us on our journey. In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you, Pastor Trish |