Greetings of Peace & Joy!

A few weeks ago, with my California niece visiting, we explored old family photo albums. Mia was delighted to see photos of her mom, my sister, and others in our family that she had not seen before. The photos brought back memories and stories that she was more than happy to soak up, (Well for a time. Eventually I wore her down and off she went with her cousins.) I, on the other hand, continued down memory lane. I wandered in the old nooks and crannies of life remembering what seemed simpler moments and easier challenges in life. The reality, of course, is that explorations of the past are most often seen through rose or sepia colored lenses that skew past realities. They can gloss over broken relationships, troubled lives and long-held hurts and grudges. Perhaps it is part of our protective DNA to remember the good and forget the rest.

 

“Choose this day whom you will serve…” Tucked in the middle of a crucial moment in Israel’s history, Joshua asks the new nation’s leaders to name the god(s) they will follow. After long years of wandering, the promised land is now theirs, to be divided amongst the tribes of the nations. Joshua’s question arises from a crisis of choice between YHWH and the gods of their ancestors. The crisis is based in the belief that deities are limited geographically and that every land has its own gods. As the Israelites consider a new land, with ancient memories of nation-based gods, they are sorely tempted by the past, even as they stand at the dawn of a new age. As they remembered it, these ancestral gods guaranteed security and abundance. We’ve seen this temptation before, when they were tempted to turn away from the hardships of the wilderness for the oppression of Pharaoh’s Egypt.

 

Joshua challenges the community to renounce allegiance to all these gods for the on God YHWH. The covenant with YHWH is different from the worship of the old gods. Joshua is reminding them that God is not simply a god of place or prosperity. This one God is a God who travels with God’s people. God is not tied to one place and makes a promise to accompany the people wherever they go. This God will be with them not only in their prosperity, but also in their wanderings, in their sufferings and their trials. God will be with them through all that life brings.

 

As noted the past can be seen. It is the future that cannot. The choice then is between the perceptions of the past, and trusting God for the future. Whatever choice the tribes would make, Joshua declared, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” The choice remains ours to make today.

 

Join us in worship Sunday as we explore Joshua’s challenge (Joshua 24) and the choices we make every day. And if you have not yet attended or registered for the Feasibility Study focus groups there are three remaining. Your attendance and input during the gatherings is vital. I encourage you to make every effort to attend.

 

Shalom,

Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social

 

Sunday, August 26, 3:30P.M.

Join the combined congregations and choirs of Chester Presbyterian and Bethesda Baptist Church under the direction of our Music Director, Jim Dorn, together with Antonio Hill, Music Director at Bethesda Baptist, on Sunday, August 26 at 3:30 for a Hymn Sing, followed directly by an Ice Cream Social. We will sing hymns from both traditions. It doesn’t get any better than combining hymns and ice cream, so come and join your friends!

Happy Quilters

. . .has again provided a quilt for the church to

raffle off. This year the proceeds will go to the Music program. 

Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 tickets for $25. Drawing to be held Sunday, November 18. 

Please see Kathy Peebles, Pam Danford or Sally Noe to purchase tickets.

Feasibility Study

The Session has secured a consultant, Sean Mitchell of Generosity Development, to guide us through a Feasibility Study. You are invited to join a Focus Group to meet with other members to gather perspectives on the plan and pre-determine the campaign commitment level.  Feedback from the groups will enable the leadership to discern if now is an appropriate time to begin a capital campaign. The purpose of this campaign will be to eliminate our debt and deepen the Church’s commitment to our values and mission.

The remaining Focus Groups will be held:

                      

                      Thursday, August 16      7:00 PM (tonight)

                      Sunday, August 19         8:45 AM

                      Tuesday, August 21        7:00 PM

Sign up in the Narthex or send an e-mail to [email protected]

Be informed! Participate! We need your feedback!

Food Stories!

 

Each of us has a food story that is continuously written with memories and lessons about that which satisfies and sustains us. As this chapter

of my food story comes to a close, I am excited for the opportunity to share my experience as a Boston Food Justice Young Adult Volunteer

with you. 

Please join me September 9 at 11:15 in the fellowship hall for a locally sourced lunch, a time for sharing food stories, and a conversation about food justice in our community! -Stuart Mapes

College Addresses Needed!

College students, the Presbyterian Women would like to keep in touch with you while you are away at school. Please be sure to forward your updated contact information, including name of the school you will be attending, mailing address, email address, and cell phone number to Jacqueline at [email protected] .

PANTRY FOOD OF THE WEEK:

CHILI / BEEF-A-RONI

We always need and welcome $10 Kroger gift cards!

Deadline for September Newsletter is August 21.

Chester Presbyterian Church

3424 W. Hundred Road

Chester, VA 23831

804.748.4636