June 11, 2021
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Phase 5.
Is there any better phrase to hear after 16 months? When it was first announced, that short of available therapeutic treatments or vaccines to limit the spread of this unseen and destructive viral enemy, we would have to live in a world of limited groups and limited activities for the duration of the pandemic. Thankfully, we have both now available. Our hospitals have capacity. You can willingly seek and get a variety of vaccine treatments from even the corner drug store.
As I announced last week, the "Go" and "Stop" signs on the ends of the pews are gone. The songbooks and Bibles are back in the pews (along with the familiar attendance and information cards). There are the voices of worship leaders and Elders returning to lectern and table. While the resuming of singing by our choir will probably wait till fall (it is tough to break with "summer vacation tradition," the return of congregational singing allowed among the vaccinated is welcome. Masks are still recommended for the unvaccinated, and you are welcome to continue your habits if you are uncomfortable with going maskless.
Ironically, our return to normal has resulted in the breakdown of a necessary item in the church: the elevator entrance door. The door operations fell apart last weekend, making it unable to be locked. As usual, upon further inspection, it was revealed that several parts that are no longer serviceable are also no longer manufactured: they are obsolete. As a temporary security measure, we have had to chain and lock the doors from opening with a padlock when the building is not in use. If you arrive outside of regular hours, you are encouraged to use the sanctuary/narthex entrance or the garage door. The door will be open for worship and regular hours to allow access and entrance to the elevator. We await news of replacement parts and a timeline for arrival and repair.
Worship This Weekend:
More Than Meets The Eye: Changing Seasons
This weekend is forecast to be one of the warmest so far in 2021. Remember nearly freezing on Mother's day weekend? The agonizing decision whether to turn the furnace back on for one final run? Or the hold-out until necessary to turn back on the air conditioning, watching the electrical meter run is speedily clip?
Often we dwell on the present, ignoring the signs of another season's arrival until well into its season. In the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul reminds the Corinthians (and us) that a new season of God's work has begun and is in season now. This new season requires a new vision, not holding to the old way of seeing and doing, but embracing the world to come as if it has already arrived.
Does your life reflect its true season? Or is it out of season, like a chilly day in early spring or an unseasonably warm day in December? Are you in the present age, or seeing the coming age of God's glory revealed? Wearing a sweater when everyone else is in shorts, or shorts when everyone else is in winter coats?
Death is not seen as a victory from a mortal point of view. Yet it was a victory from the resurrection point of view. As we choose whether sweater or shorts, so it is to participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The new season has come. We have a reason to live because even when our eyes cannot see, we know the work of renewal and transformation of life is working to bring glory beyond whatever graves, winters, and despair we face or encounter.
JUNE SPECIAL OFFERING:
FAITH COMES FROM HEARING VISION 2033
During the month of June, we will be collecting change to help with the Vision 2033 project through Faith comes from Hearing. This project will help distribute translations of scripture in 160 new languages in parts of the world where literacy is limited or non-existent. As part of this special project, our contributions will be matched dollar for dollar! Please consider bringing your change jar (or jars) to assist in this needed ministry!
Invite friends to join you for worship
this weekend, in person, online
In-person on Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday mornings at 8 am or 9:30 am (masks and social distancing required for unvaccinated).
See you this weekend online or in person,
Blessings to you all,
