Children’s Church: Moses & the 10 Commandments

For the ten weeks of our summer worship schedule (June 30 – Sept. 1), we will continue to offer nursery care and children’s church for any children in elementary school or younger.  Our nursery coordinator, Michele Barrett, will be leading a lesson and activity each week about the story of Moses and the 10 commandments.  The children will learn about each of the commandments in an age-appropriate way, with stories and art activities.  On Sundays with a larger number of children, Michele will be looking for volunteer help, so please let her know if you would be willing to be an “on call” assistant during the summer weeks.

This offering will take the place of our usual children’s message during worship throughout the summer.  Children are welcome to gather with Michele at 9:15am when church begins.  They may be outside or in the nursery, depending on the weather; and subject to the ages and number of children present (so at times, the children may be inside even when church is held outside).  All children are also welcome, at any time, to remain with the congregation for the entire service.

A LITURGY OF FAREWELL

On Sunday, July 7, we will celebrate a final service of worship together with Pastor Rachael, including some words of farewell led by a representative of the Ursinus Association.  Rachael, Adam, Henry, and Greta will depart for a long journey to Kansas later that week!  Pastor Rachael asks that you would please keep her and her family in your prayers through this challenging time, even as they continue to pray for our congregation and our future ministries.

 

As part of our June 30 Congregational Picnic, we will also have some time to visit and say goodbye.  The Hospitality Committee will provide a special cake to mark the occasion, along with the main dish for the meal; everyone is asked to bring a side dish to share.  Please be sure to sign up  for the picnic so that we can prepare enough food for everyone.  We’ll also have some games and activities for children, so dress for outdoor fun!

 

Harvest Time

On Sunday, July 7, we will celebrate our last worship service as pastor and congregation.  The appointed reading in the lectionary cycle for that Sunday comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10.  It is a fitting message for this moment.  Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples and sends them out to share the Gospel in new places.  He warns them that it will be challenging, and he also reassures them: “the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers.”  After their journeys, the seventy-two return joyously, filled with hope at their success in sharing the Good News.

Entering into a time without a leader can be daunting, whether it is because the leader leaves (as in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1) or because the people are sent.  I am certainly not claiming to be Jesus as I leave you!  But it is helpful to remember that, as long as we remain dependent on any particular leader or teacher, we too easily become comfortable in our supporting roles.  Times of transition shake us up, and challenge us to reconsider the ministry to which every one of us is called through our baptisms into discipleship.  Jesus promised a harvest beyond our wildest dreams.

Do we still have faith in that promise?  We can see churches across the country declining and even closing, as if the harvest were dried up.  But I believe the key is in the second part of what Jesus said: there are few workers.  We’ve settled into expectations that the pastor and a small number of leaders will do the harvesting, while everyone else reaps the benefits.  But this isn’t what Jesus imagined.  If we want to see our churches full of life again, it doesn’t all depend on a pastor.  Hear this time of transition as a call to you: the harvest is plentiful!  Now is the time for the workers to answer the call.

May the Peace of Christ be with you always,

Pastor Rachael