For this Sunday -- Glory!

Post date: Oct 16, 2020 5:0:5 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! I hope you are keeping dry on this chilly, rainy day in New Jersey.

It may be soggy outside now, but this Sunday promises to be a sunny, crisp autumn day — a perfect day to gather and worship God!

By now, I hope you have watched my video and read my email detailing our reopening plan and safety protocols for in person worship this Sunday. If you have not read the plan and protocols yet, please click here to view them. For the safety of staff and those worshiping, all persons who attend worship will be expected to adhere to these protocols. In order for us to safely social distance, seating is limited to about 20-22 worshipers, so please respond to me via email, text, or phone letting me know you’d like to attend church. I need your response no later than 9 AM tomorrow so that we can prepare the seating arrangements. Please be assured that no one should feel any pressure to come back to in person worship. Everyone is encouraged to make the wisest choice for themselves, their family members, and fellow congregants, living out the Greatest Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. If you are hesitant about returning to in person worship, we will also offer simultaneous Zoom worship.

So, come at 10:30 AM to the sanctuary or be on Zoom for worship this Sunday with your church family. Our Anthem is “Spirit of God, Unseen As the Wind” Dan Pannebaker, soloist; our Sermon-Prayer-Reflection is “Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me” Judith Daugherty, organ; and our Postlude is “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing” Judith Daugherty, organ. I will be preaching from Exodus 33.12-23, and my sermon title is Glory! If you wish to receive the Zoom link, please email me at sheffield.tricia@gmail.com.

Oh beloved of God, after seven months of being out of the sanctuary, we finally — God willing — get to come together in the church and on Zoom to pray, read Scripture, listen to music, and hear the word of God. Please join me in prayer that our worship will flow easily and everyone will be kept safe and healthy. And as we pray, let us continue to claim the assurance from Scripture, For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you (Psalm 26.3).

In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish