Hallelujah for Our Children and Youth
Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Pentecost blessings to you!
This Sunday there will be extra joy in God’s house as we celebrate and thank our wonderful children, youth, and our faithful Christian Education teachers. That’s right — this Sunday is Children’s Sunday. Please come to worship at 10:30 AM to support our youth and teachers when they will bring us the Sermon-Skit adapted by Nancy Coffin called, The Parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man, based on the reading from Matthew 7.24-27. The children will also bless us with several songs including “Hold Out Your Light”; “Stand on the Rock”; and “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock.” After worship, come down to the Lower Auditorium for an extra special coffee hour prepared by the Children & Worship parents.
A few items of information regarding upcoming events at MRC:
Tomorrow, June 15 at 2 PM is the Celebration of Life Service for our beloved Laurie Eldridge. A repast will follow at the Eldridge/Fallon household in Middletown, to share memories and laughter. In a beautiful tribute to Laurie's free spirit, butterflies will be released at the home to symbolize her love and the joy she brought to the world.
Please send me your sermon ideas/topics for our summer sermon series Sermons of the People starting in July. What biblical topic would you like to hear in a sermon? Forgiveness? Living with grief? Compassion for self and others? Let me know by the first week in July what topic you have in mind. You may email or text me your ideas, or place them in the wicker basket located on the Welcome Table at the back of the church.
It is my strong belief that our welcoming statement is not just for one-day-a-week worship, but should infuse all the ministries we are called to do, including the upkeep of our buildings and grounds. That said, the church campus, specifically the Education Building and surrounding area, will be inaccessible June 17-19 because we are getting our driveway repaired and repaved! Thanks be to God and Amen! Allow me to offer a Holy Spirit Hallelujah for all of your contributions that made this finally happen. It is because of your generosity and God’s faithfulness that our driveway will not only be safe and welcoming for us, but also for all of the ministry partners God has called to our church, and will call in the future. I’ll say it again, Hallelujah and Amen!
Lastly, it has been three weeks since I'm without my car due to transmission issues. It is now at the third mechanic’s shop and I’m waiting to see if it can be fixed without breaking the bank or if I’ll need to buy a new car. So, if you don’t see me out and about like I normally am, you know why.
Despite car issues (first world problems), I look forward to delighting in our children and God’s love this Sunday with you!
In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish