Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,
Greetings of peace to you.
Well, beloved ones of God, it’s been a week and I have been meditating on and praying over this portion of The Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A #1 as a means to remind me of who I am, whose I am, and whom I serve: Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ . . . Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit . . . makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
I belong
We belong
To God
To Love
No matter what
Hold on to this truth, fiercely
So, come at 10:30 AM and worship with your church family this Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost to celebrate and affirm that we belong to a God who offers unconditional Love, amazing grace, and an extravagant welcome to all. We have a special offering of music this week as Sarah Hanvey and Brian Kolins will be with us to share their musical gifts. I’ve asked the New Jericho Choir to help me with my sermon and they will be singing a song from their past skit, Go, Go Jonah! I am preaching from the Book of Jonah 1.1-17; 3.1-10; 4.1-11 and my sermon title is Grumpy Jonah, Gracious God. As it is the second Sunday of the month, we will receive our Deacons’ offering to help those who are in need in our community.
And speaking of those in need, you will see that our Giving Tree is up early this year as COG is planning on giving out the holiday gift cards early in December. They are asking that we donate gift cards in $25 denomination from Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, Old Navy, Hobby Lobby, and ShopRite. They kindly request that all cards be in by November 30 so they can give them out on December 3. Thank you for your generosity in helping those in our community to have a joyful Christmas and holiday season!
Lastly, Jamie and I will be on vacation November 11 - 17. Grace Modla has generously offered to be on emergency pastoral call for me while I am away. Please contact VP of Consistory Lisa Leidecker and she will get in touch with Grace. For Sunday, November 17, Elder Dan Pannebaker will be preaching.
We are not our own. We belong to Jesus. Keep following Jesus.
With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,
Pastor Trish