New Year – New Possibilities – New Opportunities
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV)
“I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19, NRSV)
Gratitude and the values of love, justice, and education – my personal foci developed through the leadership of Sheila S., Jesus P., and our youth. We are two weeks into this year and so much has already happened in our country and world. It would be easy to concentrate on and deride the negative; however each day holds places where gratitude, love, justice, and learning can be expressed. When we reach a certain age, just seeing each new day brings the first prayers of thanks. Together we look forward to a new administration in the executive and legislative branches of government and with the possibility of a very different look in the judicial branch. Personally, I have watched my daughter continue to turn conflict into new possibilities resulting in becoming president of the Petaluma School Board – all this in these first two weeks of the year.
It is not that we dismiss what is going on around us instead we press ahead with hope. The song that has planted itself in my mind and heart this week is the gospel song, “God is still on the Throne.”
God is still on the throne
Within in your bosom
You have the phone
Where’er you walk
You’re not walking alone.
Remember God is still on the throne.
The verses of the song remind us that whatever state we are in we can “call Him.” Being in fellowship with one another also keeps us grounded – which is why in this time of “sheltering in place” being able to avail ourselves of opportunities to connect continues to be important. As we move with one another through this time, we give thanks for each new opportunity to meet with one another, as we look forward to the days we will see one another in person.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 27, 5:30 PM – AWAB Disfellowshipping Commemoration
February is coming and we will be celebrating African American History Month. We are planning for the Soul Food Dinner to happen on the 4th Sunday. In preparation, we ask you to think about what you would prepare for the dinner and share the recipe. Instead of communion elements, we will prepare our dinner, or dessert, or the one dish we would bring for that day and share it via ZOOM. Sandra Lee and Sheila Sims will be coordinating the collection of the recipes. More details will be coming.
Upcoming Meetings (via ZOOM)
Saturday
10:00 AM – Time for Prayer (Psalm 44)
Sunday
10:00 AM – Worship – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
11:45 AM – Adult Bible Study
12:40 PM – Budget Committee
Monday
7:00 PM – Youth Gathering
Tuesday
6:00 PM – No Soup, but Study
Wednesday
Inauguration Day (Prayer, bible study canceled)
Thursday
4:00 PM – African American History Month Committee Meeting
6:00 PM – Together in Spirit (bible study)