An Unusual Saturday

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Reminders for Tomorrow:  No Worship Services at First United Methodist Church or Native Grace Intertribal Fellowship tomorrow.  No Sunday School classes.  No choir practice.  No youth group meeting.

 With all of these "No's," we need to focus on finding the "Yes" that overcomes all of the "No" this world can give.  It's still the season of Lent, and we are still preparing for resurrection--no matter how far away resurrection may seem.  In this season where nothing feels "normal" anymore, perhaps we are being invited to move deeper into the humility, prayer and sacrifice that are the markers of Lent.  As challenging as it is, I invite you to make a list of as many positive blessings in your life as you can come up with.  Make it a family exercise!  You may be surprised what other family members are grateful for...

 Prayer Requests:  For the Church Council as they meet online to discuss next steps for the church in this interesting time;  for teachers and students and administrators as they adapt to a new way of living and learning;  for people who are losing their jobs and for their families--that they may find a way through;  for all of the medical and emergency personnel, that they may be safe and healthy as they care for others.

 Please remember to send your prayer requests so we can include them in these updates.

 Prayer for a Pandemic  (by Cameron Belim)
God our Creator:
May we who are merely inconvenienced
   Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
   Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
   Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when the schools close
   Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
   Remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
   Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
   Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
   Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
   Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.

 Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean

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