Dear members and friends of Community Presbyterian Church of Brigantine, Day 60 of the COVID19 “shelter in place” is upon us - how are you doing? Are you hanging in there and learning patience through practice? Are you tired of waiting? What do you think God has in store for us next? What will it be like when all this is over? What a perfect time to celebrate Pentecost! It’s a story about God’s freedom to act, do, and say what God wants, not what we expect or can predict or even want. And - it’s a story about the disciples and the early church community “waiting” together. That’s right, they were waiting for 40 days (which in the bible means “a long time”) for what God had in store after East, and then they had to wait 10 more days! Sound familiar? And then on Pentecost morning (Acts 2:1-21) God showed up! But it wasn’t what anyone expected - the sounds of the wind, the appearance of tongues of fire and everyone babbling in all kinds of utterances…bystanders thought the disciples and other witnesses were drinking too much wine too early in the morning (hmmm). What a story for the context of our time and condition. I know many of you are anxious to get back to the way things were but we have just passed the peak of the virus here in New Jersey and it will be a while longer before “opening up” includes church activities, especially worshipping in one place, together. When that time comes, we will be ready with a plan and the necessary products (masks, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer, distancing etc.) to gather safely. Until then, join us live on Sunday Mornings at 10 for singing, 10:15 for worship. Use this link www.facebook.com/brigchurch.org. You don’t have to be on Facebook to join the worship. If you need a hymnal to have at home, call (609) 266-7942 for delivery! Bob Schilling is sending out the link on YouTube to see the worship later in the week if you are not getting his email, call him at (609) 457-0728. Debbie Enderlin, Sue Clark, Gina Herz, and of course, Brenda and Liboria keep the True Spirit Coalition Pantry open and busy! Bo Mason (thank you!) had to go back to work but Chris Connelly has joined the team of volunteers and we are grateful! Families get 5 to 7 bags of all kinds of groceries as they pull up to the pantry windows on Wednesday mornings. What can you do to help? Refer families and individuals who are stretched by these tough times. Tell them to call the church office and talk to Brenda about getting on the list for the Pantry - (609) 266-7942. The CHURCH WEBSITE IS www.brigchurch.org - check it for updates, announcements and info. Don’t forget, you can reach me at brigchurch@aol.com or on my email at jrscotland@aol.com. My cell phone is (609) 457-2999 - feel free to call or text. If you are a Facebook member, find us at “Brigantine Community Presbyterian Church” “LIKE” us! If you are alone if you are reaching the end of your emotional energy if you are getting overly anxious or stressed out, please reach out to one another. Stay connected by phone or text or through the internet. We have a long way to go and we must pay attention to our own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. None of us were ever meant to tough it out alone! Please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (609) 457-2999! Call Jim Walker, chair of Member Care, at (609) 338-2252 - OR - call Mental Health HELPLINE at (866) 202-5357! CONCERNS UPDATES:
Beth Welsh has breast cancer, please pray for her treatment and for recovery.
Betty Dillon Breeden has been in Shore Memorial, please pray for her.
Jim Walker has recently had a scan, pray for a great outcome!
(Please see list of ongoing Health Heroes attached HERE)
- John
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