We Still Travel Together

Dear MRC Family,

Pentecost blessings to you in this season of Ordinary Time

Happy Halloween and Reformation Day!

This Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday when we remember our beloved ones who are in the nearer presence of Jesus. I know — intimately — they are still walking with us, encouraging us for our journeys. As Rev. Joe Kay wrote: “All Saints’ Day. All Souls’ Day. All Hallows’ Eve. The Day of the Dead. Our various celebrations this week remind us of an overriding truth that is at the core of so many of our religious and cultural traditions — death can’t separate us from love. Those who love us are with us always. They’re near, dear, and not-so-departed. They remain an intimate and important part of our daily journey to become more loving people and to build a more just society together . . . Their paths and ours continue to overlap. We still travel together. We can take reassurance and courage from knowing that those loving and prophetic people still march with us and work with us.” Amen

Come this Sunday to worship as we remember our saints and thank God for the grace we are given each day for the journey. Tom is singing the Prelude “Come to Me” and the Anthem “I Got Joy.” I am preaching from 1 Kings 19.1-18 —the prophet Elijah running from Jezebel and ending up in a cave where he encounters God — and my sermon title is A Snack and A Nap. In addition, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper together. Then, after worship, we will continue the feast of God with our First Sunday brunch in the Education Building prepared by our wonderful Kitchen Team. If you are unable to be in person, we will be streaming live on our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@mrcafabulouschurchoflove1611. 

Lastly, with the government shutdown, people receiving help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will lose their benefits starting tomorrow, November 1. These are women, children, the elderly, and the working poor. If you were in worship last Sunday, I encouraged us to be the hands and feet of Christ by giving to our local pantry, the Calico Food Pantry, to help them feed people who are struggling with the loss of benefits. Already, the pantry is at capacity and they are and will assuredly get more people. They helped 138 families just this past week. That’s 552 people! I spoke with Judy Guarino, the President of COG, and asked her what food items they needed the most. Here it is: Pasta, tuna, jelly, peanut butter, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, pancake mix. Please make sure all cans are flip top lids. If you are not able to shop, they would be very grateful for any monetary donation you can afford. Make your check out to the Community Outreach Group with Food Pantry in the memo line. Thank you for being a “living saint” and loving your neighbor as yourself. Yes, “we still travel together” in so many ways. 

Keep following and bothering Jesus. You are loved!

With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish