Day: April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; 

my eye wastes away from grief, 

my soul and body also. 

For my life is spent with sorrow, 

and my years with sighing; 

my strength fails because of my misery,

and my bones waste away.

But I trust in you, O Lord; 

I say, “You are my God.” 

My times are in your hand; 

deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 

Let your face shine upon your servant; 

save me in your steadfast love.

Psalm 31: 9-10, 14-16

So far, I don’t personally know anyone who’s gotten this virus.  I know at least one family here has, but I wonder if most of you aren’t like me.  You don’t yet know anyone who’s been ill.  But, statistics say, we will.  Each of us, all of us will.  And, almost certainly we will personally know someone who didn’t make it.  

If we lived in New York City, that day would be now.  And the people who were sick?  Many would have died.  That’s what we each fear for our own towns.  Planners think Massachusetts might have as many as 9500 people ill in hospitals by mid-April with as many as 100 people dying each day.  That number is for the whole state, by the way, not just our area.

Right now – tedium.  In two weeks?  Sorrow.  Hold on to Psalm 31.  Hold on to the lessons of the Holy Week we’re about to enter.  Remember that we hold on to a God who holds on to us. 

News for today:

Today’s email includes resources for Palm Sunday.  Click here:  https://illustratedmin.s3.amazonaws.com/weekly-resources/PalmSunday.pdf?ck_subscriber_id=136888751

Included is a PDF of a palm branch – you’re invited to print it out, color it, maybe cut it out, and display it.  And there’s also resources for the children you know.  Feel free to forward it to others if you want.

When we next gather together, we’re going to have the real palms, but this will be our safe-to-distribute place holder.  Many thanks to Nancy MacNeill and Elaine Johnson for tracking down the real palms and then to Elaine for getting them to Julie McNeill and her family.  And great thanks to everyone at the McNeills for agreeing to turn our palms into palm crosses!

Many thanks to those of you who have sent your pledge into the church.  Our expenses continue, so we really appreciate your efforts to help us pay our bills.  Checks may be mailed to the church at 5 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham MA  02571.

There will be a meeting of the Church Council, via Zoom, next Wednesday evening at 7pm.

Prayer List:

  • As always, Donald Hall remains in our prayers.  He’s at Nemasket Healthcare Center, 314 Marion Road, Middleboro MA  02346 and his cell phone number is 508-930-0051.  His kidneys are failing and he is on hospice care.  In this holy time, he welcomes your cards.
  • Donald Hall’s sister, Natalie, died on Saturday.  Our love is extended to Donald.
  • Ron and Mary Westgate ask that we pray for Michael Layman, who has the Covid virus.  He is the brother of their daughter-in-law.

If you have a prayer concern feel free to send it in to be included in this daily email. 

Pastor Virginia