A Special Call to Prayer

Beloved Northminster Presbyterians —

As I head out a town for a week of vacation, in advance of our anticipated return to sanctuary worship on June 14, I cannot depart this Lord’s Day without acknowledging what a disheartening week this has been for our nation.  As if the strange days of Covid 19 were not enough, now a week has past marked by brutality, by protests both peaceful (righteous) and violent (unrighteous), and by divisive rhetoric all over the airwaves.  To be sure, this too shall pass, but my spirit is heavy and I join many of you in grieving the state of affairs.  What shall we do?  We shall pray.  And on this Pentecost Sunday, we shall pray that God’s Holy Spirit moves in the places where Good News is needed most.  And we shall continue to be the covenant community for which God has formed us, in ministry in Jesus’ name wherever we find ourselves.  In other words, we shall love.  We cannot change the World, alas.  But we can absolutely bless and better our little worlds, each and every hour.  In the power of the Holy Spirit, those hours are not nothing. 

As for prayer, my mind went to this lovely and applicable prayer of George Appleton, an Anglican bishop of a century ago:

O God of many names
Lover of all nations
We pray for peace
in our hearts
in our homes
in our nations
in our world
The peace of your will
The peace of our need.

May it be so, I say, in Jesus’ name.  Much love to you, Northminster Saints, and blessings on this first week of the month of June, and a Pentecost-week, no less.  I look forward to worshiping with many of you in person and others online on June 14.  Know that daily I give thanks for Northminster’s collective witness and love in my life.  You are a gift to me, and to Macon. 


Your friend and pastor, Ralph

Covid-19 Schedule Changes

March 17, 2020

Well, saints, these are strange days indeed. The kids and grandkids are home from school. People with a laptop are told to work from home. Everyone who can and should be is now hunkered down in an effort to prevent the spread of this nasty and infamous virus. This week is a dream for reading introverts … but a nightmare for hugging extraverts! And your congregation is responding  o these virus concerns as well. Here in this special addition of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on all your important gatherings and events, nearly all of  hich have been cancelled or postponed for now. Later this week, we will send out information about Sunday worship. Finally, promise me that if you have any needs this week — groceries, prescriptions, errands, etc. — you will call the church office  There are many of us in the flock happy to help with anything. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Meanwhile, here’s a favorite scripture for your prayer and reflection this week:
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication  ith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of  raise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4

All will be well. Know that you are loved. RWH

This week’s cancellations:

Youth
Prayer Group
Women’s Bible Study
Men’s Lunch
Communion at Carlyle
Connections Hour – this Sunday
Bell Choir
Chancel Choir