A thriving faith community engaged in compassionate service

Friday November 20

Dear Friends,

Code Orange. Restrictions put back in place. Non-essential businesses forced to close or severely curtail services. Schools closed, with students of all ages back to remote-only learning. The virus rages all about us in this, the worse wave yet.

For many, it will surely be a quieter, more somber Thanksgiving as we heed the counsel of medical professionals and limit our gatherings to immediate family. Still, we can gather with a sense of hope and even a sense of gratitude, for we will still gather in warm homes, with food on the table, family members who may not be at the table as close as the nearest computer screen. We can and should offer our thanks to God. We will get through this – together.

Allyn Foster is our worship leader and preacher on this “Christ the King” Sunday, as our liturgical year comes to a close. Did you know that we begin the church year on the First Sunday in Advent?

Allyn’s text is taken from Matthew 25 – our call to look after others, to look beyond ourselves and live lives of compassion and concern for any and all. As Allyn reminds us, when we each stand before our Lord, we will not be asked about our political affiliations; rather, we will be asked whether we fed the hungry, looked after the sick, or comforted the lonely. Allyn’s powerful sermon will move and inspire you.

John Rutter, the British composer, has long been a favorite of mine. His hymns and anthems combine profound faithfulness with lovely melodies and glorious arrangements. It is my understanding that the complexity of his arrangements make his hymns notoriously difficult to sing! Rutter’s “Look at the World” seems a fitting piece for us to hear this Thanksgiving week, even in the midst of the pandemic, to remind us of God’s blessings. Click on the link for a version which Rutter himself conducts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDa-Mab4SoU

Keep wearing your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. And, don’t forget to get your flu shot. Stay healthy.

Grace & peace to you for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving,
Pastor Skip

The CE Ministry Team presents an

Advent Study for adults beginning November 29th.

Sunday mornings at 9:30 am via Zoom

Discussion led by Dave Brummer

Click here to join the discussion

For more information contact Dave Brummer:
email: dbrummer@opvmc.net

call: 716-662-2406

OPPC Zoom Coffee Hour

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