September 25, 2020
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Macon County is now in warning status due to COVID-19. Cases have been rising, especially in ages 19-59, for some time now, so it was inevitable that additional restrictions would be put in place. We continue to observe mask and hand sanitizing protocols and precautions, and unfortunately, maintain "hymnal silence" once again.
Solar equipment installation continued this week, with the Van Lear Education Wing equipment (all 129 panels) installed and connected. The inverters (to switch DC to AC) are mounted in the garage and the large disconnect switch is placed on the exterior.
Worship This Weekend - Learning to Love Our Enemies
This weekend we conclude our sermon series on loving our enemies with probably the most difficult enemy we face: the enemy within. The one who says you do not deserve mercy. The one who says you did make a mistake. Yet God says, "there is still time."
Ezekiel is confronting the exiles in Babylon. Judah was defeated by the Babylonian empire in 597 BC. They are blaming their ancestors' disobedience for the current suffering. In other words, old sins. And they have some scriptural support to confirm this conclusion. Many of the oldest instructions mark that disobedience will be condemned to the fourth generation.
No, God says to Ezekiel (and the exiles). Sin does not pass through to the next generation, only consequences. Each generation is given the same opportunity: to be obedient or not, to choose life or destruction. Pointing fingers into the past is no excuse for the present suffering. God does not condemn you for what your 2nd Great grandparents did. Some of the mistakes, assumptions, presumptions, of the recent past may still be present now. But only if you decide to continue them. God does not desire these as means of punishment. In truth, punishment can be sin, or it can simply be the foolishness we have done catching up to us. God rarely utilizes punishment in order to spread suffering. Rather, God uses punishment so that we might turn away from ruin and towards a new heart and new spirit that God always offers.
RECONCILIATION OFFERING - September 27 & October 4
The Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) began out of the civil unrest that ensued following the martyrdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968. Beginning with Resolution 29 of the International Convention of the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in 1968, our Church has persistently pursued ways to address the sin of racism through resolutions and direct action in our congregations, Regions, General Ministries and Recognized Ministry partnerships.
In 2001 the General Assembly adopted the 2020 Vision which named four inter-connected mission priorities. Becoming a Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racist Church alongside developing new leadership, establishing 1000 new churches and transforming 1000 churches were identified as critical initiatives for our 21st Century church. Reconciliation Ministry was restructured in 2002 in accordance with the mission priority to strengthen the Church’s effort to achieve this mission priority.
The Pro-reconciliation/Anti-Racism Initiative was founded upon the need to make visible God’s beloved community. It invites the church to listen to the once silenced voices of its racial/ethnic communities, learn from their wisdom and gain insight from their leadership. It calls the church to discernment and prayer, study of the scriptures and reflection, dialogue and table fellowship. The true goal is to transform, strengthen and deepen the church’s spirituality, resulting in a community that understands its mission to be about bringing justice and salvation to the world.
As we have seen another season of civil unrest associated with racism, I invite you to join me in responding to support financially the Pro-reconciliation/Anti-Racism Initiative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our goal is $200.
Other News This Week
CCIW Regional Coaching Course I will be joining a cohort to learn methods of Christian coaching provided by our regional office. Those classes begin next Tuesday at 6 pm to 8 pm for a period of five weeks. This is part of my desire to continue to improve my skill set as your pastor.
Regional Church Assembly The FREE online only assembly for the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin will be held on Saturday, October 17, 10 am to Noon. You can register to participate in the public activities and worship. I was nominated and consented to serve as secretary of the Regional Church Council, the administrative board of the regional church that I have served on for the past year as an at-large delegate. I will be formally elected to this position during the business meeting.
Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser We are awaiting confirmation for our second annual pumpkin patch fundraiser in October.
Trunk 'n' Treat We are waiting City Council and Public Health official guidance on whether such activity can be held safely. We will abide by whatever decision is made in the interest of public safety.
See you in worship in the sanctuary on Sunday morning at 9 am or Saturday online at 5 pm this weekend!
