What’s Going on at the Church
The Family Dinner will begin at 4 PM for apps and games! Then we will sit together as a family and enjoy a meal prepared by all of us in POT LUCK fashion at 5 PM.
A sign-up sheet will be located in Davis Hall. You can choose to bring an appetizer, veggie, side-dish, or main dish. Session will supplement the meal with a couple extra main dishes. Please make enough for your family plus 2 people. If you miss the sign-up sheet, please email or call Elder Sue.
“Weighing Truth and Life”
During worship, we’ve been thinking about some of the deceptive ideas that are being taught in churches that promote Christian nationalism. There are certainly some deficits that stem from inadequate biblical and doctrinal education. However, while acquiring a comprehensive theological education is helpful, it is not the basis of one’s membership in the household of God. God’s love is. The truth is we all have a lot to learn, and that learning journey really never ends this side of heaven. The question is, what is the reason for the militant, hateful, and strident behavior that seems to be characteristic of these churches? John Pavlovitz offers a compelling idea concerning the real source of what’s going on in Christian nationalism.
“I don’t assume that these Christians are any less authentic or less faithful than I am. I know they believe in God earnestly, pray to God passionately, and serve God with unflinching fervor. The problem is their God is too small, and as long as they are oriented toward such a tiny, overmatched deity, they will continue to have a religion that is marked by fear more than by love, and that is simply no good for anyone.
Whether we claim a religious worldview at all or not, fear burns up what we say we believe and reveals what we actually believe about protection, sustenance, security, generosity, abundance and community. However, fear can also be a beautiful invitation to step into the swirling chaos and be the best kind of human beings we are capable of being. When scarcity makes selfishness rise up, we can eclipse it with generosity. When separation feels safer, we can lean harder into risky community. When conspiracy and untruth come to stoke the fires of panic, we can bring the cool water of fact and truth. When people are battered by the turbulence of uncertainty, we can steady them with our quiet sober presence. We can remember that we are in this together, that we are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers, that we all belong to one another. If we pay attention, terrifying crises can remind us of our commonalities of the fears and worries that assail all of us, like fear of not having enough or losing everything or dying alone. Days like these can remind us of our oneness – that we are a single interdependent community that transcends national borders,political affiliation, religious tradition, sexual orientation, nation of origin or any delineation we see or create between people. That’s what love demands of us.“
Blessing and Peace, Ed
Looking to donate to our thrift sales?
If you have any furniture to donate, please take a photo of what you have and send the photos to office@1stpresrahway.org. At this time, we’re not accepting clothes or shoes.
Members usually work on Wednesday’s for our sales from 10:30 am -1:30 pm. If that’s not a convenient time for you to drop off donations, other arrangements can be made. Please email the church office and your request will be forwarded to the “sales crew” so they can respond to your inquiry.
As always, thank you to all who donate. Our sales have been a great success this year because of you!
Important Message from the USRC Board of Directors:
Please read these guidelines about Squier Hall and the formation of the USRC Board of Directors, who will be overseeing the groups meeting in Squier.
As part of the guidelines, please use this form if you have any concerns so that they can be addressed.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We have a lot of different ways for you to get involved – short-term projects, one-time opportunities, working with our livestream technology on Sundays, plus much more. Click on the button below to see what we have on our ‘volunteer wish list’. As more opportunities become available, we will be sure to update our listings.