March 19, 2021
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
My left arm is still a little tender, but other than muscle ache, my first of two COVID-19 vaccinations with the Macon County Health Department this past Thursday morning was a pleasant encounter. It seems I always get a sinus/head cold/laryngitis problem around Easter, and thankfully, my COVID-19 2nd dose is scheduled on April 15, well after the Holy Week & Easter schedule. I would certainly encourage you to get in line and sign up for these vaccines whenever you qualify, and with the announcement by Governor Pritzker, anyone above age 16 will be able to receive it starting April 12.
Progress continues towards installing our operating audio/video studio in the balcony of the sanctuary. The sanctuary sound system can now be controlled remotely, and I anticipate being able to simulcast and livestream our Holy Week services. I am actively recruiting an audio/video team from those who are familiar with it: our high school students. Patrick Butterick is getting comfortable with the camera equipment and controls, and I have asked Allison Sutman to handle the audio. Last week was a bit of a dry rehearsal, but it was clear (from me looking up) that they are capable in these positions.
Speaking of recruitment (often recognized as "voluntolds"), we need additional assistants at each of our worship services. I would like to have a music ensemble for each worship service: Saturdays at 5 pm, and Sunday mornings at 8 am and 9:30 am. You will lead the congregation in singing the hymns and leading our expanding list of familiar praise songs and choruses. While the ability to read music is helpful, and holding a musical pitch (no matter what size bucket) is expected, all those willing and able are welcome to join these small ensembles.
Another area we need smiling faces and joyful hearts is in greeting and security. I need two parking lot attendants to greet our guests and assist their entrance. Once service begins, these parking lot attendants will secure all entrances to the building, locking the doors, closing the garage about 15 minutes into the worship services. I would like to have these attendants for Easter services on Saturday, April 3 at 5 pm and Sunday, April 4 at 8 am & 9:30 am. Contact the church office if you are interested in helping assist in guest/welcome services.
Worship This Week: What's Wrong with Religion? The Answer for Division is Community
Many of you know about my sports team loyalties to the Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboys. You may also know that I am active in several organizations and clubs, including the Stephen Decatur Chapter of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (ask me about joining!), Former president of the Dove, Inc. Board of Directors, and the lifetime president of the Clokey Park Neighborhood Association. I find value and community in participating in these and other organizations, to promote citizenship, history, and address social issues and problems.
When these groups demand loyalty and allegiance at the price of my faith, it needs to be put in proper order: God first, the rest secondary. Often we get divided up easily by secondary associations and groups. Jesus reminded us to invite both saints and sinners, zealots and tax-collectors. Often those who refused his invitation were those who refused to accept who he chose to associate with. Unfortunately, history is littered with the price of separation and segregation, division and partisanship. Both sides of the divide lose when we hold these differences as barriers rather than opportunities to form a community greater than any division. The body of Christ sadly imitates rather than confronts these hazardous behaviors of partisanship and division. We divide in a vain attempt to conquer, but often discover our own movement later divides over something that no one anticipated as divisive.
Christianity calls us into community. All of the parts of the Lord's Prayer seek a community of "we" rather than "me." It is "Our Father," not "My father," and "Give us this day our daily bread" rather than "give me this day my daily bread." Jesus' commands to love, forgive, and serve one another must include someone other than ourselves in order to fulfill. We can't do "othering" without an "other" present.
The first "sin" outlined in scripture had nothing to do with temptation, eating, or nakedness. It is a statement of relationship: "It is not good for humankind to be alone." Often our separations lead to starvation of guidance, assistance, and compassion. We are called to a group, not a solitary life.
Join me in worship on our website, Facebook at 9:30 am, or in-person at 5 pm Saturday, 8 am Sunday, or 9:30 am Sunday. Please register your attendance when you join us online here.
Easter Season Services
A postcard will be sent early next week with a handy reminder of the schedule of Holy Week services. I will be reaching out towards the end of the week to get an estimate of attendees for these services. I expect that in-person interest is growing, and would encourage you to invite others to join you for these meaningful services. I am hopeful Easter services will mark the return of both ensemble and congregational singing in our sanctuary. Of course, we will sing our own version of He Lives.
See you this weekend,
Blessings to you all,
