Are you an encourager?
Today’s good word in one of the devotionals I read, Liberating Love: 365 Love Notes from God by Sandhya Rani Jha, is all about being an encourager.
It’s based on Philemon 1:7 which says, “I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.”
Written by the Apostle Paul, this short this letter offers a gentle appeal to Philemon to forgive Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, who has served Paul and has now been converted as well. Paul speaks so diplomatically that we can only guess at the details, but scholars surmise that perhaps Onesimus has wronged Philemon either by running away or perhaps has even stolen something from him.
Paul thanks Philemon for being an encourager and makes a case for letting Onesimus stay with Paul as an encouragement to him. He may also even be asking that Philemon will free the young man.
In doing so Paul appeals to Philemon’s better angels by saying, “I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from our love, because the hearts o the saints have been refreshed through you . . .”
It made me think about myself as an encourager, and of all of us as a congregation of encouragers.
In her devotional Jha imagines God saying this to us,
“Think of an instance where you felt bolstered during a hard time. Even if you didn’t realize I was there, I absolutely was . . . I dream of an army of encouragers, replicating the work of the Holy Spirit as paraclete—advocate and encourager. Today I invite you to do the work of the Holy Spirit and encourage someone who is struggling, so that they might know I am with them, just as I am with you.”
What can you and I do to share the encouraging work of God’s Spirit?
Offer a few simple, kind words
Offer some words of hope
Say a prayer for or with someone who is suffering
Send a message that will bolster someone’s sagging spirits
Are you an encourager?
Grace & Peace, Diane
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Reminder of Sunday Morning Covid Guidelines
At their meeting last evening, the Reopening Committee approved some updates to our Sunday morning in-person worship guidelines.
- We will no longer take temperatures at the door.
- We will now seat worshipers three feet apart instead of six feet, but if there are those who feel more comfortable maintaining six feet of social distance, we will be happy to accommodate that wish.
- We will continue wearing masks for the time being; at this moment we are still under a mask mandate in Marion County, but beginning this Sunday worshipers may sing with their masks on.
- We are removing the Plexiglas barriers from the pulpit and the Communion table, but will leave the one in place at the Lectern for the time being until the Elders have the opportunity to discuss their comfort level with removing it.
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Classes and other groups that want to begin meeting in person may reserve space to do so inside the building wearing masks or outside with masks optional. Click the link below. If you encounter any issues submitting your request, please contact [email protected].
We will continue making reservations for now, so we have contact information at hand in case we need to do contact tracing. Last Sunday when we had three visitors, we also realized that a side benefit of the list is the ability to reach out and welcome those who visit!
We celebrate that we are making progress toward a more normal worship experience even as we are also continuing to care for those among us, including our young children, who are not yet vaccinated.
A heartfelt thank you to the members of our Reopening Committee for their care, wisdom, and faithful perseverance!
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Click the button below to register for in-person worship for any dates through the end of May. Be prepared to include the names of anyone attending with you. For those unable to sign up online for any reason, please call the office at 317-849-3957 and speak with or leave a message for Ruth Wolff. |
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
JOYS:
Erika Krumweid Cooper has returned to work after recovering from Covid. All is well with her pregnancy.
We give thanks for New Church Ministries and for the annual Pentecost Offering that supports them.
Among our concerns:
We hold the family of June Cotton who died on Sunday, May 23rd and the family of Steve Belding who died on May 17th in our prayers and in our care.
- Fred Knox, recovering from surgery
- Gene Ray
- Paul Ayers
- Joyce Coalson
- Jim Hooser’s grandson, James Hooser
- Karen Bayne, recovering from a badly broken hand
- Carol Lu Knox’s son, Brad Bond, recovering from surgery
- Liz Nelson, Theron Nelson-Mercer’s mother
- Chris Higgins’ father, Geoff Higgins
- Ruth Wolff’s mother, Cindy Method
- Ben Hinton
- Mary Caress and Jerry Caress
- Bev Goforth and Davis Goforth
- Lee Ridoux
- Mack Hunter
Among our communal and global concerns:
We continue our prayers for all who are suffering with Covid. Here in the U.S. younger people are now being hospitalized and for the people of India who are still in a Covid crisis.
We continue our prayers for all those whose daily lives are burdened by the sin of systemic racism, and for a spirit of courage in our pursuit to be actively anti-racist in all we do and believe.
We pray that the ceasefire between Israel and Palestine will hold and that they will forge a lasting just peace.
We pray for our Global Prayer Partners, this week in Mexico.
Information for visiting or contacting Ben Hinton:
Ben Hinton's new address is 12999 N Pennsylvania St, Carmel IN. He loves phone calls - please call him at: 317-810-5236
Visitation Rules:
30 minute visits per person (one person at a time)
You must have a negative Covid test weekly
Call (317) 848-2448 and ask for Kimberly Taylor to schedule an appointment.
If you don't want to get a Covid test, then you can visit with Ben outside his window. The facility will be opening outdoor visits after April 2, which you can also do without a COVID test.
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Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 6, 2021
4:00 p.m. via Zoom
A special meeting of the congregation of Allisonville Christian Church has been scheduled for Sunday, June 6, at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom.
The purpose of this meeting is to forward the unanimous recommendation of both the Search Committee and the Council to the congregation for final approval of the appointment of a new Associate Minister. The candidate will be joining us following the vote.
We hope to see everyone!
Tim Armstrong
Council Chair
Your Zoom link will be sent in reminder emails next week.
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LIFE Class Update
The Reopening Committee approved for classes and groups to begin to gather again. So the LIFE class will have combined in-person/Zoom meetings starting on May 30th at 11:45am in the "Texico Room" also known as the Children's Chapel located down the hall south of our old room. Masks will still be required for in-person attenders and social distancing will be practiced.
So, join us at 11:45 am on May 30th either in person or using the Zoom information shown.
We hope to see you there.
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Coffee Café Announcement
NO Coffee Cafe this Sunday, May 30. Weather permitting we will have an outdoor Coffee Cafe again on June 6.
Looking for volunteers to set up for Coffee Cafe. You would be on a schedule of once every three weeks. This would involve setting up for Coffee Cafe before the worship service once we are having Coffee Cafe back in the family room again. Please email Toni Medlen at [email protected] if you are interested.
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Thank you!
Dear Church Reopening Committee,
Thank you for your countless hours of discussion, research, & prayer you've put in to the safe re-opening of the church. Thank you for ensuring the safety of the congregants & our neighbors. As someone with chronic illness, I felt loved and seen during the 59 weeks of online services. You showed us how to love one another in practical ways, even when it's hard. Thanks again,
Danielle Rupsis
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Graduation Open House for Hanna Escue
Sunday, June 13th, 1-4 pm
Hummel Park, 1500 S Center Street, Plainfield, IN
Gazebo #2
(for questions call Brenda @317-753-4768 or Tim 317-753-3443)
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Bread for the World
Proverbs 31:8
Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
ACC has chosen once again to participate in the 2021 Bread for the World Offering of Letters on behalf of hungry people in the U.S. and around the world. Currently, Bread for the World is asking Congress to make the Child Tax Credit permanent and to increase U.S. leadership and funding for global nutrition.
By writing a brief letter or sending an email to your senators and your representative, you can help to end hunger. The letters and emails from many different Indiana churches will be combined and referred to when Bread for the World meets with our legislators later this year. Every email and letter count. Please send yours and advocate to end hunger worldwide.
Easy-to-follow instructions are available in the links below including an instructional handout and sample letter.
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Save the Date and Register for In-Person VBS Today!
Mark your calendars for VBS 2021: Discovery on Adventure Island! We'll be convening for in-person VBS this year July 5-8 from 5-7:30pm for children 5 yr - 5th grade. In following CDC guidelines, registration will be limited, so be sure to sign your child up today. You can do so at www.allisonville.org/vbs. Those who wish to volunteer for the event can also sign up there. We hope you'll join us on a quest for God's light and love! See you there!
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Vaccination Reminder
ACC members can offer rides to vaccination locations, so we invite you to call the office at 317-849-3957 if you would like assistance.
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Allisonville Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
(317) 849-3957
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