Unexpected Beauty

Post date: Jun 25, 2021 4:54:19 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

Blessings of Pentecost joy be with you! I hope you’ve been enjoying the gorgeous summer weather in New Jersey, and your week has been one filled with the beauty of God’s steadfast love. I saw such beauty with the unexpected arrival of a cornflower in our flower patch. How did God surprise and delight you this week, MRC family?

I’m looking forward to continuing our celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit with you in person, via Zoom, or livestream at 10:30 AM this Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Our featured musician is Mike Steib and he will be singing “Precious Blood” for our Anthem and “The Lord’s Prayer” for our Sermon Prayer Reflection. The Prelude is “Voluntary in D” (Boyce) with Judith Daugherty on organ. I will be preaching from Mark 5.21-43 and my sermon title is Only Believe. For those worshiping in person, masks and social distancing are optional. Lastly, we will meet in the Lower Auditorium after worship for coffee hour. 

Let me add that Zoom was such a useful tool for us, especially in the early days of the pandemic, as it brought us together, allowing us to see, hear, and speak with one another. For this communication tool we are grateful. That said, as our state has reopened, as well as our sanctuary to in person worship, the Consistory and I believe the time has now come to discontinue Zoom worship. As has been announced the last several weeks, the final Zoom for Sunday worship will be this Sunday. Please be aware that in addition to in person worship we will continue to livestream on Sunday via our YouTube channel — MRC: A Fabulous Church of Love.

Beloved of God, let us come back to church and celebrate being with the community of faith we so love. See you on Sunday!

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

Pastor Trish