Our church service will be available for you online tomorrow morning (Sunday, March 29, 2020) after 9 AM.

Our study is in Psalm 46. I encourage you to read it in preparation for our study together tomorrow morning.

Psalm 46 teaches me that God is my Refuge – He is a place to hide!
Psalm 46 teaches me that God is my Strength – He gives me the resources necessary to leave the hiding place and be useful!

Both are necessary for our lives in these interesting times!

Kim Myrum is going to sing for us about living in an Unexpected Place. These are the lyrics to the song. Print them out if you’re able to have before you as she sings:

Unexpected Places

“I know the plans I have in store,” You whisper in my ear,
Words of affirmation, things I need to hear.
But of all the things You planned for me, I never would have guessed
That bringing me right here is what You call Your best.

But here I am in this unexpected place; a place I did not ask for,
But one that’s filled with grace.
And here I am in this room I did not plan,
But Jesus, You are here, You are grace, You are with me
In this unexpected place.

And in this room, I’ll learn the truth that
Blessed are the poor; the scorned, those who mourn.
And in this room, You’ll teach me that this time is not in vain.
There’s purpose for the pain, and beauty still remains.

So may we find the fulness that comes from empty spaces.
Jesus waits for us in these unexpected places.
If you find yourself in an unexpected place, a place you did not ask for,
But, oh friend, there is grace.
If you find yourself in a room of emptiness,
Jesus is there, Jesus is grace, Jesus is with you in this unexpected place.
Unexpected Places/Heather Sorenson/© 2019 Hal Leonard LLC

Moriah Davis begins tomorrow’s service with the hymn, “Day by Day.” Here are its lyrics:

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

Two items for you to consider.

1. Helping one another:

We have people available to help with grocery store / pharmacy runs, or for whatever else you might need. You can call the church office and we will arrange help for you.

If you need food, contact us and we will arrange a box of food for you from Harvest Outreach. If you will bring Harvest Outreach offerings by during the week it will help. I am trying to have someone here from 8 - 4:30 Monday - Thursday.

Some of you have lost your jobs or have been furloughed. Our Benevolence Fund is not limitless, but it is available. For this you should talk to me or to one of the other two pastors.

In this regard, would you help with something else to help one another. There are people in our fellowship who will never see this on a computer or phone. If you know people who are not “connected,” please call them and offer your and our help to them. Our Elders are calling all their care groups, but you might know sooner what someone’s needs may be and it will help for you to let us know.

2. Our money needs continue. Last week’s offering was a little less than ½ what is needed. Please do not be lax in this ministry. You can bring your gift to the church during the days, Monday - Thursday; mail it; use the CMC app on your smart / Iphone.

God bless you all.