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Friday May 7

Dear Friends,

Our liturgical calendar tells us that this Sunday is the 6^th Sunday in Easter. It is also Mother’s Day, a day for us to celebrate and honor our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers – Happy Mother’s Day to all!

The Bible is often thought of as filled with patriarchal, even sexist language. The writings in both Old and New Testaments reflect the culture and times in which they were written, but, if we look carefully, we can find one example after another of remarkable women who shaped our faith history.

Turn to the fourth chapter of the book of Judges, a book that reflects life among the Israelites more than a thousand years before Jesus’ birth, and we read, much to our astonishment, that “at that time Deborah, a prophetess, was judging Israel.” Deborah is just one example: we marvel at the faith of Ruth or the strength of Esther, among others.

And, as we will talk about in Sunday’s service, even Paul praises a number of women, including Phoebe and Priscilla, as examples of profound faith. Yes, Paul wrote some things that sound appalling sexist to our 21^st century ears, but he would eventually write that, “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.”

And then, most powerfully, there are God’s words, speaking through the prophet Isaiah: “as a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.”

On a personal note, some of you have noticed that I recently sold my house in the village. I’ve been looking for a smaller place for quite some time – and am still looking, so please say a prayer for me. I’ll move in mid-June, probably to my sister’s in Snyder while I keep looking. (If, by the way, you might be interested in a home gym, a Precor elliptical machine, or an outdoor dining table with 6 chairs, let me know.)

Get your vaccination, keep wearing your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. Stay healthy.

Blessings,
Pastor Skip

The CE Ministry Team presents...

What's the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?

by Martin Thielen

Discussion led by Rev. Allyn Foster

Sunday mornings in May at 9:30 am via Zoom

Click here to join the discussion

For more information contact Allyn@oppchurch.org

OPPC Zoom Coffee Hour

Click on the Coffee Cup to join the Coffee Hour
at 10:30 am Sunday mornings.