Dear Friends,
Join us in worship this Sunday September 27th at 10:00am via Zoom. We’re starting a new four week preaching series called Our Money Story. Whether we recognize it or not, each of us has a money story. Together, we’ll discover our own money stories in light of God’s money story of liberation and love.
The music this week will include something new and something old. We will sing a new response to the confession but use the familiar Scottish tune of O Waly Waly that dates from the 16th century. “Waly” translates as “Woe” and the lyrics in the original “Water is Wide” depicted a loving couple that were separated by a wide body of water (the sea or ocean perhaps). There are many hymns built on this lovely tune so we will enjoy singing it.
Join us for 10:00am Sunday Worship here
Dial-in: 1-929-436-2866 Meeting ID: 150 620 342
In conjunction with the new preaching series, the church is launching its 2021 Stewardship Campaign on Sunday. You’ll hear from Stewardship Co-Chair, Tracy Branding, in worship and depending on the speed of your mail, will be receiving a letter and pledge card in the coming days. As COVID-19 continues to create challenges and uncertainties for the church, we ask you to prayerfully consider making a financial commitment for the coming year.
Finally, as you heard last week, NYAPC is losing 100% of its office staff this fall which means significant changes for work flow and requests for assistance. Please know that the Personnel Committee is moving quickly to hire a temp for the next twelve weeks to fill Nicole Johnson’s role as Office Manager. However, please expect delays and the reality that we will need your help in completing administrative tasks in the coming weeks.
And a poem by Rev. Sarah Are, “Not Too Many Times,” to nourish your hearts this week:
My great-grandfather would
come home from work
To find his love at the
kitchen sink—
Scrubbing potatoes or freeing
the corn,
Holy ordinary types of things.
And he would slide,
Arms around waist,
To draw near enough
To ask her the phrase,
“My dear,
Have I told you today?”
“Have I told you today that
I love you?”
…
Day after day
It was always the same,
Because some things
You can’t not say.
So she would smile
And with heartbeat to spine,
She would reply,
“Not too many times.”
And it seems to me
That he must have known
That certain truths
Must be told
Over and over
And over again
So that love has a chance
To slowly sink in.
And it seems to me
That she must have known
That stories of love
Cannot be told
Too many times.
So tell me again
Of the love that serves
As beginning and end.
I guess what I’m trying to say
Is that we are forgetful people
most days.
We remember the melody but
forget the words.
We remember the past but forget
the hurt.
We remember the face but forget
the name.
We remember who God is but
forget that God stays.
So when Jesus said,
“Do this in remembrance of me,”
Maybe he was standing with us
at the sink
Saying to us, “Have I told
you today?”
For some things you can’t not say.
So tell me that story
And tell me again
Until my whole world
Is caught up in
A love that lasts
And a God that saves.
And if you ask,
I will say,
“Not too many times.”
Peace,
Heather
What’s one thing you’ve had to let go of during this pandemic? What’s one you have gained?