~ 1 ~

Greetings from First UCC!

We pray that Easter blessings continue to fill your home and touch your life!

During this time, while worship services are suspended at First Church, Rev. Mike would like to share a Sunday Gospel message of hope with you. Even in

the midst of this world-wide health emergency, Jesus love is still with us.

You may view the video of Rev. Mike sharing this message by clicking this link…

May 10 Service Service

Please use this ‘mini-bulletin’ to follow along with the service, reading responses along with Kathleen in the video. Our ‘mini-bulletin also includes other information & announcements to keep you informed. Please feel free to share the bulletin & the video with others.

Thanks to Kathleen Dowd for serving as the "People" for our Responsive Readings.

Thanks, as always, to our Music Director, Sheila Cooke for recording our worship music each week.

Thanks to Paul Ricciardi at Golden Pepper Productions, Inc. for setting our video up for us each week.

Thanks to Gabby & Cliff at Cliff Ross Advertising & Design for assisting us with our Facebook postings.

~ First United Church of Christ ~ 229 Church St. Easton Pennsylvania 18042

Rev. J. Michael Dowd, Pastor ~ Sheila Cooke, Music Director Telephone: 610-258-3361 ~ Email: firstucc2@verizon.net

website: www.firstucceaston.org ~ Facebook (First UCC Easton)

Sunday, May 10th, 2020 ~ The Fifth Sunday of Easter ~

~ Mother’s Day ~ Festival of the Christian Home ~

Call To Worship: —Based on Psalm 31.

Praise the Lord, who has shown us the wonders of his unfailing love; and who, for the sake of his name, leads us and guides us. In you, O Lord, we put our trust. You are our God, and our lives are in your hands. Lord, let the light of your face shine on us as we celebrate together in your presence. Amen.

~ 2 ~

Call to Confession: We know that we have not lived according to God’s desires for us. The brokenness in the world, and the sin and despair in our hearts, threaten to consume us as a mighty flood. Yet God is our hope and our firm foundation. Let us confess our sin before our gracious God.

Confession of Sin:

Our God, forgive us for failing to understand and accept the great demands placed upon us by your love. We enlist in your causes, but find ourselves losing interest. We promise to be courageous, but find ourselves afraid. We want to be sensitive, but find ourselves hard and callous. Forgive us; take our limitations and turn them into possibilities for service. Have mercy on us and grant us your peace. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: (Please read responsively)

Leader: Listen! Here is good news: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." -to forgive you in your follies and foibles -to accept you as you are -to set you free from evil's power and make you what you were meant to be.

People: Thanks be to God

HOLY SCRIPTURES

Our Old Testament Lesson for Sunday, May 10th

is: Psalm 31:1-5 & 15-16 (NIV)

Psalm 31, Verses 1-5

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me,

come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,

for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,

for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;

deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Verses 15-16 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.

~ 3 ~

Our New Testament Lesson for Sunday, May 10th

is: Acts 7:55-60 (NIV)

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of

God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see

heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all

rushed at him,58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile,

the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my

spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin

against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Our Gospel Lesson for Sunday, May 10th

is: John 14:5-14 (NIV)

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we

know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as

well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you

such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you

say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that

the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own

authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe

me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe

on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever

believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater

things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you

ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask

me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Meditation ~ “Eating Cold Grits” (John 141:5-14)

~ 4 ~

Tony Pena was a catcher for the Boston Red Sox. Tony grew up in the Dominican Republic. Life was not easy. Tony Pena says that the person who had the greatest influence on his life was his mother.

It is the dream of most every Dominican boy to play ball in the United States. Throughout the Dominican Republic young boys swing old rake handles or "anything else they can get for a bat, trying to hit a ball a little quicker, a little farther than anyone else” hoping to one day play in our major leagues.

Tony credits his mother not only for teaching him and his brothers how to play baseball but also for giving him a love for the game. His mother had been a pretty good softball player herself when she was young. When school was out and their chores were done, she’d walk her boys to a nearby pasture. She would stand on a rough dirt patch that served as the pitcher’s mound and pitch to her sons. "All right, little Luis," she’d call in, "this pitch will be right down the middle." When it was Tony’s turn, she would say, "Okay, Tony look for this one in on the fists. You must learn to hit the inside pitch."

Tony Pena is thankful for the influence of his mother. Before he left for the United States, he prayed, "God, all I want from life is to be able to help my family. Please help me do that." Tony has helped his family. "Not long after I made the majors," he recalls. "I drove with Mama through the streets of Santiago." As they were driving Tony asked his mother, "what do you think of that house over there? Take a good look, Mama." They stopped in front of the house. "It’s a wonderful house," his mother replied, "why do you ask? Are you thinking of buying it?" He paused” hardly able to contain himself. He handed her a set of keys, "I already have, Mama. For you." "Oh Tony," she said as tears began to stream down her face. At that special moment, Tony writes, "I thanked God for giving me such a mother."

WHO IS NOT MOVED BY SOMEONE WHO MAKES A WILLING SACRIFICE IN THEIR BEHALF? Whether it’s a mother or a grandmother or whomever it might be. We appreciate those who have sacrificed. That’s the first word to take note of this morning” sacrifice.

Let me tell you about another man” a man named Willis Moore. Willis Moore recalls that his grandmother always ate cold grits. She preferred them hot. It was her priorities that caused them to be cold. Willis fondly remembers how his "Grandmother would cook a hot breakfast” fresh farm eggs, crisp bacon, homemade blackberry jelly and biscuits, and bowls of hot grits." The family would gather around the table. His grandfather would ask the blessing.

While the family was eating breakfast the grandmother would read devotions to the family. When she prayed everyone stopped eating and bowed their heads. Afterward everyone cheerfully joined in table conversation while finishing breakfast. "Only then," Willis remembers, "did Grandmother start to eat her breakfast and that is why she always ate cold grits."

Willis remembers those special mornings and the example of his Grandmother. At that time it didn’t seem all that important, but as the years rolled on he came to

~ 5 ~

recognize the significance of those cold grits. "Spiritual formation," he writes, "is the memory of Grandmother putting God first at breakfast. Of course she did so in the other areas of her life, too, but the memory of her putting aside a hot breakfast to share God’s word with her family feeds me yet."

We respond to such a sacrifice, don’t we? So did the disciples of Jesus. The disciples looked up to Jesus. He called each of them and they followed him. For the better part of three years they listened and learned from him. Over and over Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his impending suffering and death. They had a hard time understanding what he was talking about. They were confused and unsure of what would happen next. Jesus sensed their uneasiness and sought to reassure them. "Do not let your hearts be troubled," he told them. "In my Father’s house there are many mansions...." Still, they needed to know that before there could be mansions there would be misery. To use the modern cliche, there could be no gain without pain ” no triumph without trial ” no crown without a cross. His cross. Love always requires sacrifice. Eating cold grits is not only the nature of a loving grandmother; it is the nature of a loving God. Who would not respond to such a sacrifice?

WHO WOULD NOT FOLLOW SUCH AN EXAMPLE? That’s our second key word for the day “example”. One of the disciples, Thomas, asked Jesus a question that no doubt some of the others wanted to ask, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was going and how they could get there too. Jesus told them that if they wanted to go to the same place he was going all they had to do was follow him. James Moore remembers the time when he was seven years old and got lost at the Ringling Brothers Circus. It was a frightening experience for a seven-year-old boy in a crowd of over twenty thousand. Jim and his older brother, Bob, went to the concession stand to buy some cotton candy. People were pushing and pressing toward the counter. Since Bob was taller, he was waited on first. After Bob got his cotton candy he stepped aside for his brother. Just then loud laughter came from the arena. Bob wanted to see what was going on. Certainly, he didn’t mean to leave his small brother alone. He simply got caught up in the excitement listening to the crowd laugh at the clowns.

Little Jim also got his cotton candy and then he looked around for his big brother. His brother was gone. He panicked nothing looked familiar. He was lost. At that “Will I ever see my family again. I started to run," he recalls, "trying to fight back the tears. Everyone was laughing loudly at the clowns, but they weren’t funny to me at that moment." In his panic and confusion he thought, "How can they laugh at a time like this? How can they laugh when I feel so lost?"

Just then Jim felt a touch on his shoulder. He turned around and saw his father. "My father had come after me and had found me. He held me, reassured me, then bought me a Coke, a hot dog, a Yo-Yo, a lizard, a little stuffed bear, and a candy apple. I learned a valuable lesson that day: Being lost is terrible...being found is wonderful!"

Jesus wanted his disciples to know that even though he would no longer be with them he would not let them get lost. He would be with them every step of the way.

~ 6 ~

He is the Way. All they had to do was follow. Who would not respond to such a sacrifice? Who would not follow such an example?

WHO WOULD NOT WELCOME HAVING A FRIEND LIKE JESUS? The disciples were still confused. It was Philip who asked, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." There is a hint of frustration in Jesus’ voice as he answers Philip. "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?" It’s almost like Jesus is saying: how many times do I have to tell you people the same thing before you believe? "Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father..." There’s more to Jesus than simply knowing about him” where he was born or how many sermons he preached. To really know Jesus means that he dwells in us. For his is the Spirit of the living God.

A little girl had a cut near her eye. Her father quickly took her to see the doctor. It wasn’t serious, but the location of the injury made it important that it be fixed properly. The doctor decided a couple of stitches were needed, but he didn’t want to give the child an anesthetic. He explained to her that the procedure would be painful and asked if she could stand it. The little girl replied that she could, if her father would hold her hand. The father then took her in his lap, slipped his arm around her, and held her tight. The doctor did his work, and the little girl never flinched. The father could not have erased the pain from this process, however if he had not been there, the girl’s reaction would have been much different.

So it was for the disciples. The time was fast approaching when they would split up and travel to the far corners of the world to proclaim the gospel. Jesus would not be with them physically. He wanted them to know, though, that they would not be alone. His hand would still be in theirs. And that made all the difference in the world. Who would not respond to such a sacrifice? Who would not follow such an example? Who would not welcome having such a friend as Jesus? AND NOW FOR OUR PART.

One day Chuck Swindoll found a book on his shelf that had once belonged to his mother. As he was paging through it, he recalled some special memories of her. She had died some twenty years before. She had written notes in the margins of this book little knowing the impression her words would make on her son twenty years later.

At the end of the book Chuck’s mother had written these words, "Finished reading this May 8, 1958." That started a flood of memories for Chuck Swindoll. He began thinking where he was and what he was doing in May 1958. The month his mother finished reading this book he was a Marine stationed on a tiny island in the South Pacific. That very month he had written in his journal, "The Lord has convinced me that I am to be in His service. I will begin to make plans to prepare for a lifetime of ministry." Amazingly, at the same time his mother was finishing reading her book.

"As I looked back over the pages, I found one reference after another to her prayers for me as I was away." Charles writes. His mother was concerned for his spiritual welfare and for God’s best in his life.

That afternoon years after his mother had died Charles was sitting in his study reading his mother’s book and recalling those precious memories. "There I sat," he

~ 7 ~

writes, "thanking God anew for my mother’s prayers, [for] my pilgrimage and especially [for] His presence. Faithfully, graciously, quietly He had led me and helped me and blessed me. I bowed my head and thanked Him for His sustaining grace...and I wept with gratitude."

Chuck Swindoll was moved by his mother’s sacrifice and by her example. By these she had led him to God. That’s a story that could be told in many homes, couldn’t it? It is the story of mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers and friends and guardians and faithful people throughout the ages who themselves have been moved by sacrifice and example of Jesus Christ. Who would not welcome having such a friend as Jesus?

Is that how your children will remember you? Will they remember the bowl of cold grits” grits made cold by concern for their spiritual welfare? If so, regardless of whatever else in life you may or may not accomplish, your life is an unqualified success. “Sacrifice...example” these are the stuff of love. These are the stuff of every good Mom and Dad. These are the stuff that lead us to God.

Affirmation of Faith:

Leader: Let us affirm our faith.

All: We belong to God, eternal and infinite, Creator of all things and all that is to come.

We follow Christ, who comes to us from God and reveals God to us. He heals people and transforms lives, and calls us to join in his ministry. He was crucified, died, and was raised again by God, and reigns over all creation, and he bids us to die and rise with him in the service of the healing of the world.

We are moved by the Holy Spirit, together with the communion of saints, as members of the body of Christ, God’s holy universal church.

We are confident in the forgiveness of sin, the power of the resurrection and the reality of eternal life. In all things, it is our desire to follow Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for God’s glory. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer: Lord God, we give you thanks for all your gifts to us — for daily food, for health, for each breath we take, for freedom to choose, and for the gifts of your word, your power and your love. Our hearts are truly overwhelmed, O God, when we consider how you have entrusted so much to us. May we be worthy of that trust. May we be a people who are unafraid to live as fully and as richly as you want us to live.

Gracious God, in your eternal and divine wisdom you made us for relationship, and we celebrate the people you have brought into our lives, especially our mothers. For all those who teach us to love, we praise you. For those who inspire us to be generous, just and kind, we thank you. For those who nurture our relationship with you, we rejoice. And, for those who disappoint us, we ask for grace to be compassionate and forgiving. In all our relationships may we live the truth of your love for us which knows no bounds.

~ 8 ~

God with a mother's heart, you gather us as your children. You comfort and hold us in your warm embrace. When we hurt, your arms enfold us. When we are afraid, your wings protect us. When we are hungry, you feed us with the bread of life. God with a mother's heart, your love surrounds and supports us, in good times and in tough, in the midst of joy and pain, always and everywhere. You will never leave nor abandon us. God eternal and loving one, God with a mother's heart, we thank you this day, for being part of your family. We pray for those who are poor in body or in spirit, for those oppressed and heavy laden, for those sick or in despair, especially today we remember Janet Kobler’s cousin Karen B – tested positive for Covid, Tom Bougher, Marilyn Crozier Snuggs, Gregg D, Bev Lambert’s Great Grand Daughter, we share our prayers for the continued health of Helena Rapp, Phyllis Rush, Helen Litzenberger, and Fawn Breuer, we pray for those who spend their lives in health care and essential jobs, Keith Berger, David Wandersee, Ross Forsythe, David Skillinge, Helen Corona, Jill West and Donna who cares for children in NYC. Minister by your Spirit and by us, to all those for whom we have prayed, and help us walk faithfully in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Benediction: —Bruce Prewer We are a baptized people, a community of hope, the new race dedicated to doing the unlikely deeds of grace, and sometimes even taking on the impossible. Thanks be to Christ, whose power is made perfect in human weakness. The blessing of the Creator, Redeemer and Inspirer will always be with you. Amen!

As we navigate our way through this difficult and unpredictable time please share your personal, family and neighbor prayer requests. You can send them by email for our church office: firstucc2@verizon.net or you may call the office & leave a message. Also please share our First UCC Worship program & video with your friends and family.

Announcements for May 10th

, 2020 ~

No matter who you are, or where you are on your life's journey, you're welcome here. Join us in celebrating First UCC's

respect for the past and faith in the future.

~ 9 ~

PLEASE NOTE: Hospitals no longer notify the church or the pastor unless you SPECIFICALLY REQUEST IT. So please, if you or a family member is

hospitalized, let us know by calling the office at 610-258-3361! Please see our prayer list below.

OR by calling or texting Rev. Mike directly on his cell phone at 610-216-5471.

IMPORTANT FIRST CHURCH NOTES…

Rev. Dowd & our First Church leadership will continue to monitor the ongoing Corona virus situation. We will be especially mindful of the most vulnerable members of our First Church Family & make decisions accordingly.

We will be meeting on an ongoing basis to discuss upcoming events, projects & etc. We will share information on these decisions as they are made.

Please keep watching your e-mail, our website at www.firstucceaston.org, or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FirstUCCEaston or call our Church Office at 610-258-3361 for updates & information.

FIRST LADIES & FUNDRAISER NOTES: The First Ladies Fund Raisers that were in progress ("Shoo Fly Cake Sale" & Barbeque Sale) have been CANCELED. Any orders that were already placed will be refunded once we begin gathering for worship again. CHOIR APPRECIATION POSTPONED! Though our Choir Appreciation Sunday & reception have been postponed until we can re-group (hopefully) in the coming weeks, we want to recognize all those who contributed to enriching our worship services over the past year! Please see the “THANK YOU CHOIR MEMBERS” note on page 12.

“SUNSHINE FUND” - We are also most grateful for continued donations to our “Sunshine Fund”, which goes to assist any of our First Church Family members who are in need. THIS FUND IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, with many people being out of work due to this health emergency. Though we have published our Easter dedications today, we are still accepting donations to our “Sunshine Fund”. A REMINDER – If you are experiencing an emergency need, please contact the Church Office or Rev. Mike directly. All requests will be kept confidential.

STEWARDSHIP NOTE ~ With the outbreak of the Coronavirus, church services and other activities at First UCC

have been suspended for the foreseeable future. Even though our church services are suspended, our church expenses (gas bill, electric bill, etc.) must still be paid each month. With this in mind, we ask that you continue to contribute during this health crisis. You can…

~ 10 ~

o MAIL your contributions to the church at 229 Church Street, Easton, PA 18042.

o DROP your envelope through the MAIL SLOT in the Church St. door of the SCHOOLHOUSE (formerly the Office). Please make sure your name or envelop

number is on it.

o Online Giving, which allows you to make your contributions online from either

your bank checking or bank savings account. If you are interested in this online option, please contact Rich Phifer at 610-217-9244 or email Rich at raphifer@rcn.com to get further information about this payment option.

First Church Prayer Requests ~

Prayer is a powerful thing! God invites us to pray with words of praise, thanksgiving & petitions for others & for ourselves. We gladly receive & share prayer concerns so that we may ‘Bear one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2) and ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.’ (Romans 12:15).

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF EMERGENCY PASTORAL CARE, please call our church office at 610-258-3361 or Rev. Mike at 610-216-5471.

We all ask for Your blessing, Lord, on all of those who are essential employees & remain in high risk positions, unable to isolate, in order to serve & protect us during this national health emergency & their families. Father bless those in Health Care, First Responders, those who care for others, all those who wait on us in stores, restaurants, those who drive us on public transit & take care of us at other places that we frequent, all those who will be cleaning

public places & all those around us who must deal with the public in other ways. Including those in our own families & church family who are ‘essential’ in their work places (David S., David W., Helen C., Jill W., Keith B., Keith C., Mark C., Ross F.) We pray for those who reside in group facilities (nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, group homes, etc.) we pray for Your protection over them Father.

We pray for Your healing for all those afflicted with this Corona virus or who may be ~ Bev Lamberts 14 yr. old great-granddaughter, Alexis, living in China, Beth (Linda W. relative), Doug D. & others ~ we pray that Your healing love will wash over them, strengthen them & bring them to full & complete recovery.

Father, we lift up those who struggle with mental & emotional health & substance abuse issues, seen & unseen. For many, the amplified uncertainty of what is happening, fear, income/job loss, family stress, loss of support contacts, etc., is more than they can bear. Lord, speak Your Peace into the spirits of those who are gripped by these struggles that may be spiraling out of control. Help them to see You at the center of their storm & let them know You will be their strength.

Lord, we pray for Your wisdom for those who are making decisions about how to keep us all safer. Help us all to remain calm but cautious.

We pray for those whose incomes will be affected due to closures, cancelations & cautions. This is a MAJOR problem for many. Help us to help each other through this time. Bless those who we are in debt to, (utility companies, credit card companies, loan holders, medical facilities, insurance companies, etc.) with understanding & compassion. We pray that we will be kind, compassionate & considerate with each other. Help us to see need in our neighbors & in our own families & help us to reach out, to share & to shine the light of hope on those around us.

~ 11 ~

Please keep these folks in your prayers… Bob G., Bob L., Cara Nash Snyder, Chauncy H., Chris, Chris H., Debbie S. & Family, Deacon Anthony Koury, David D., Denise, Beverly F., Doris S., Edward, Eleanor, The Elliot Family, Evelyn R., Fawn B., Ferne, Greg D., Helena, James R., Jeanette O.& Family, Jill R., Joe R., John M., John & Laura O., Joyce H., Kai & Kathy, Karen B., Kathleen D., Kim Kelty, Lila, Lloyd S. Jr, Marilyn Crozier Snuggs, Marjorie H., Mark, Marlene M., Michael R., Nancy M., Nancy & Ken A., Naomi, Nicole A., The Newhard Family, Phil & Mary Ellen C., Phyllis K., Ray U., Robert G., Robert S., Ruth F., Sarah, Shelly D., Stewart W., Tom B., Tom V., William C., Will P., Jr. & all those affected by the recent storms, fires & other natural disasters, and now disease, Lord, protect them, keep them strong & help them to recover their lives.

We pray for Ashley, Barbara, Bonnie, Brittany, Claritza, Davonna, Davon, Dawn, Delila, Katie, Kimberly, Skyler, Susan, Charlene, Amy, Jailien, Jessica, Rose, Twanda, Wendy, Nancy, Natasha & all officers & prisoners at NC Prison.

ALSO, we lift up theJanney/Perio Family, the Vu family, the family of Robert Trimble, Ross Forsythe & their family, the Rush Family, the Flad/Orso Family & All whose broken hearts endlessly grieve. LORD, send Your sweet, tender & restorative love to cover them all.

Jesus, we pray for our Nation, that we can come together for each other, for this whole world Lord.

We pray for You to watch over parents & families & all of our young people. Especially now, while schools are closed. Lord keep Your hand on them & guide their choices & decisions. Help families to meet the extra needs they have during this time.

We lift up all Moms today – new moms, moms of adult children, moms-to-be, moms who rejoice in the laughter of giggling babies & children, moms who rejoice quietly in their hearts at the successes of their kids. We lift up the moms who are now part of their children’s school day, working with them in their virtual classrooms, we pray that they can embrace this extra time with their kids, to watch them grow & learn (even amid the frustrations). We pray for moms of sick children, Lord, hear their prayers & give them strength. We pray for the moms who struggle with kids who are not on their best path, those in trouble, those battling addictions, those who are estranged, they need Your grace Father. We pray for moms who are lonely, separated from their children. We pray Lord for Your special comfort & blessing on all the moms who are missing their children, the ones now in Your care, Lord, send your love to ease their endless grief & heal their broken hearts.

We lift up ALL victims of hatred, violence, abuse & their families & all people of faith as we pray for healing for them all, for our nation & an end to hate.

We lift up all of our military and all of our first responders, LORD, we ask for your protection over them all as they serve us all.

We pray for your mercy, grace for all those killed & healing for those wounded & for the families of the victims of the latest acts of gun violence in Portapique, Nova Scotia.. LORD, HELP US!!! Please take hold of those who are so rage filled or unstable that they unleash horrible evil into this world. Give our leaders the courage & compassion to help prevent any more of these tragedies.

We pray for our very planet. It seems to be groaning with earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, germs & all sorts of natural responses to our treatment of our host planet, our home here in the Universe. Lord help us to find better ways to live so we do not endanger ALL life that shares this planet with us.

Jesus, thank You for coming to save us! Without You, we would all be lost. AMEN.

~ 12 ~

A BIG THANK YOU to all the Choir members from Sheila! & from the rest of us too!

Sheila & our choir members put in many hours of practice throughout the year to enhance our worship honor our Lord & lift us up with songs of praise, hymns & special music. Sheila also works with our Christmas Orchestra & other musicians to add a little extra to our services whenever possible. She always takes the time to welcome everyone into our music program & we are blessed by her talents & servant’s heart. Thank you to:

Special Thanks also to our “Christmas Orchestra” & to our “Summer Soloists” too!

Thank you all for sharing your musical gifts to bring glory to the Lord!

A BIG THANK YOU also to Sheila Cooke, our Music Director, for her dedication in bringing these musicians together to bless our congregation with

beautiful music & for all she does here at First Church!

Choir will be on summer Break” through July & Aug.! See You in Sept.!

Praise Choir Nancy Amore Denise Cardinalli Linda Dickson Kathleen Dowd Mike Dowd Shirley Galante Mae Rapp Doris Salinas Henry Salinas Wendy Wandersee Linda Wright

Guitar David Kmetz

Adult Hand Bell Choir Bill Arnold Bob Arnold Doreen Arnold Kelly Bartholomew Sue Beling Erin Cooke Leo Cooke Mark Cooke Tara Cooke Brenda Guffy Keith Hilsenbeck Kim Kmetz Linda Rush

Senior Choir Sopranos

Kathleen Dowd Shirley Galante Mae Rapp Wendy Wandersee Linda Wright Altos

Nancy Amore Denise Cardinalli Linda Dickson Doris Salinas Men

Mike Dowd Henry Salinas

~ 13 ~

We all need to be “Corona Warriors”

We need to protect our loved ones, ourselves & those around us!

One way to do that is to LIMIT CONTACT IN PUBLIC PLACES to only NECESSARY activities. In other words… STAY HOME!!!

If you are sick STAY HOME & CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR.

If you do go out to the store, check with neighbors & friends to see if you can pick up items for them (the fewer folks out there, the better!)

Use grocery/pharmacy pick up services & delivery services.

If you go out, make sure to wash your hands, sanitize your carts, car, bag handles, doors knobs, & all high touch areas.

Katie & Larry Miner have volunteered to run NECESSARY errands for folks who are at high risk or cannot get out. You can contact Katie by calling 610-258-4426.

Please keep watching your e-mail for updates & information!

Say your prayers, wash your hands & stay well!

The Church Office will be open on a limited basis during this time.

Please call the office at 610-258-3361 if you need something or before you come, to make sure someone is there.

(But we hope you are all practicing “Social Distancing” & only go out if it is absolutely necessary.)

Please call the office at 610-258-3361 or e-mail us at firstucc2@verizon.net if you

have prayer requests to share or if you are in need of assistance.

Say your prayers, wash your hands & may God’s blessings cover you & those you love!