July Grace Notes & Calendar

Greetings In the Name of Christ,

 
An odd thing happened to me one day. It had started to rain when I reached Stephens City town limits and turned onto a back street. As I looked around, I noticed that it was raining a block to my left, a block to my right, in back of me and about two blocks in front of me. Yet, where I was stopped, there was not a drop of rain. The storm was all around me.
 
I thought about how sometimes the storms of life are all around us, threatening to come into our lives, yet God protects us and brings us shelter and peace. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have the rains or thunder or lightning of tragedies affect us. Christians are just as affected by storms of life as anyone else. But what is different is that God promises to go through the storms of life with us.  God often tells us: Do Not Fear!!   
 
For that brief time, I felt protected from the rain. I felt at peace and comforted.  I also felt comforted knowing that no matter what storms my family or I go through, God will keep us to Him and help every step of the way.
 
When I went to Alabama this past Spring, I quickly learned about our “safe spot” in the house during bad storms. It is here that you wait out the time until the “All’s Clear” is given after the storms are over. We had to use our Safe Spot twice while storms with the possibility of tornados howled outside. But like in the car, I felt protected and secure knowing whatever happens, God would be there to walk with me and with my family.
 
May you also feel this special peace and comfort in your life this summer and forever. God’s promises for you are real and sometimes mysterious, just like what I experienced that day in Stephens City. Believe in God’s presence and do not fear the storms of life.
 
Have a great and safe summer.
 
Blessings
Pastor Mary

 Print/View Our July Calendar

Grace Notes newsletter, emailed July 20, 2022

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Our Social Creed - The Book of Discipline 2016

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons.

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.

***

From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2016. Copyright 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.

We miss you: Making a plan to gather again

Office rose in 
bloom this week

Dear Grace Church Family,

Lisa and I miss you all so very much. We look forward to the day when we are all together again in a similar fashion to what we are used to. I know I miss our worship, talking before and after worship, spending time with our children and youth, communion, and so much more.

As you know Governor Northam has said that churches may resume worship this weekend in a limited way. That is not the case with the churches of the VA Conference. Bishop Lewis is not permitting in-person worship at this time.

The conference has designed a handbook that each church is to use to get ready for in-person worship. We have been instructed to form a Healthy Church Team and I have asked several people to serve as members. If you are interested please contact me.

The handbook is very extensive. As I read it yesterday I was impressed with the care and hard work that went into it. It is also very, very clear that worship will not be the same at all during the first weeks or months of opening under the provisions of this handbook.

For example, everyone will have to register to attend worship by Thursday of each week. Everyone who attends will need to wear a mask, come with their own hand sanitizer, take their temperature at home that morning, and sit six feet from another person or family. There will be no nursery, children's time during worship, fellowship time, handshakes or hugging, no choir or singing. If you are sick in any way you are to stay home. No baptisms. No passing of the plate for the offering. There is also the suggestion that the service be rather brief, no more than 30 minutes or so. The longer everyone is together the higher the risk of a possible exposure to the virus. Once the service is over everyone leaves. There will be no bulletin, hymnals, pew Bibles, or any other similar materials. No Sunday School.

So as you can see under these strict protocols things will be very, very different. Once the bishop decides a specific date we can determine if that works for us or can wait until we are ready. Classes and groups can continue to use Zoom and committees can meet with 10 or less members present and physical distancing. I will continue to put a sermon on Facebook each week with lots of help from Lisa.

The motive for these restrictions is one taken from Mr. Wesley who took it from the Hippocratic Oath: "Do No Harm." We also want to hear our Lord's call to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Matthew 22:39 NIV).

We take all the precautions we need because we do not want this to happen at Grace:  https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/42126834/ringgold-church-cancels-services-after-3-church-members-test-positive-for-covid19

So at this time we seek wisdom from the Lord in how we may best care for one another. We pray for the day when this virus subsides and many are healed. We pray for our leaders, scientists, and those who work in healthcare and who are first responders.

Again, we miss you and look forward to being together again as church family.

Grace + peace,

Clay+

Resources:

Email Pastor Clay: clayknick@comcast.net 

Back to In Person Worship Plan
Bishop's Plan Summary
Handbook for Local Churches


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Music Reflection: Amazing Grace

I hope this post finds each of you well. I’ve missed seeing you throughout the week for rehearsals and services.

I’m sure many of you have heard or have seen this amazing rendition of Amazing Grace. But, given the rise of virtual concerts, choirs, and orchestras I thought I would share.

Peace and Love to each of you!
Ryan Keebaugh
www.ryankeebaugh.com

Holy Week 2020 Connections

We want to stay connected! 

Facebook Live with Pastor Clay Knick:

Maundy Thursday 7 pm: Scripture-John 13:12-17,34-35  Message "Last Night, Last Meal"

Good Friday 7 pm: Scripture-Matthew 27:15-26  Message "Which Jesus?"

Easter Sunday 10 am: Scripture-John 20:11-18  Message "First Witness"

Holy Week Listening

I offer these to you. The following pieces, Tenebrae Responsories, were composed by Tomas Victoria in circa 1585. The pieces are settings of the prayer hours, or, Liturgy of the Hours for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. They are a beautiful reflection with deep beauty as we journey through this week. I also offer them for deep listening as we remember and pray for our world. With Peace and Love, Ryan Keebaugh

Holy Week Resources and Activities

Holy Week Quiz

Worship at Home Mon-Wed

Worship at Home Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil

Adaptable Egg Hunt during Covid-19

Grace UMC Finance update

Grace Church Family,

I want to provide an update on the church finances as we continue through this uncertain journey.  Undesignated gifts received during March totaled $13,211.  As expected this is a reduction from a typical amount received during a typical March of $16,450.  Our total expenses for the month were $15,950 which is average.  Collections and funds on hand were sufficient to pay all expenses, apportionments and salaries for March however it may be more of a challenge in the coming weeks and months.  

Recognizing the strain and impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on local church finances, the Council on Finance and Administration has prioritized apportionments for 2020.  Priority 1 apportionments will support critical and essential ministries of the Virginia Conference and represent 72% of the total apportionment amount with everything else considered Priority 2.  This reduces the monthly amount by 23% required of churches and for Grace is a reduction in our Conference Apportionments of $697 to $1,862 per month.  This reduction does not lessen the importance of the Priority 2 apportionments and churches are encouraged to support those as much as possible, however they are considered to have paid 100% of apportionments if Priority 1 are fully paid.   

Please know that your church finances are being carefully monitored.  Contributions can be submitted by mailed or through Pay Pal.  Thank you for your continued support of the ministries of Grace and thank you Pastor Clay for your exceptional messages via the internet and Facebook during these unprecedented times. 

Should you have any questions concerning church finances do not hesitate to contact me.

Blessings

Carolyn Bell, Treasurer

Grace UMC

PO Box 61

Middletown, VA 22645

Click Here for our PayPal Link

Note you do not need a PayPal account to use the link. You can also use your bank debit or a credit card. You get confirmation via email that your donation has been received. It goes directly to our bank with no additional handling or travel required by anyone. The link is easy to use but I will be glad to answer questions. Just reply to this email or graceumc2@comcast.net ~Robin Arnold 

On Reading the Psalms

Grace Church Family,

During this time of high anxiety and fear I am finding the daily practice of reading a psalm a day very enriching. I follow Dr. MarkWhiting on Twitter and he also has an excellent blog here:  https://psaltermark.com  Mark is Anglican OT scholar, a "psalm addict," and encourages this practice of reading a psalm a day and when you reach Psalm 150 going back and starting over again. I love it.

In last week's sermon I mentioned an email conversation I had with our own Susan Garrett about the psalms. Last week I sent out a prayer that was adapted from Psalm 94. I loved it. Susan replied back that while there are many good written prayers being shared today on social media there is nothing quite like the Psalms. She is so, so right.

The wonder of the Psalms is that they speak God's Word to us, especially in times where everything seems to be shaking. They inspire trust and faith and adoration of the living God. They also speak for us. The Psalmist's words become our words. We can pray the psalm ourselves.

Today I read Psalm 32. This verse jumped off the page: "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7 NRSV). I could not help but think of Corrie ten Boom as I read this. This passage was a life verse for her. (I've been reading a biography about her lately and so she's been on my mind). If you have not read her book,  The Hiding Place, let me encourage you to do so. It is a classic, one of those books to read every few years. The Lord is our hiding place. He is my hiding place.

Or consider this from Psalm 32: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin" (verse 5, NRSV). God is our hiding place and the one who forgives us! Two promises to hold on to each and every day.

I read the Psalms from the same Bible each day. I find that helpful. My leather NRSV Bible I usually keep in the study at church. I have hardbacks at home that are identical to it so that helps me to remember where things are on certain pages. I also use the RSV, NIV, and the KJV when it comes to reading the Psalms. BibleGateway.com is another resource I use if I am away from my hard copies. I have it on all my computers, iPad, and iPhone. I use it each day.

So, start today with Psalm 1. If you begin and miss a day or two pick up where you left off. Listen for God to speak to you. See Christ in the Psalms. Let the words become your prayer.

Blessed reading!

In the fellowship of our Lord,

Clay+

A Spark of Faith and a Resurrection Tree

Many moons ago, we moved into a new home in Pasadena MD, and one of the first things we did was plant a little flowering cherry tree in the corner of our front yard. For a year or two it thrived, and then very suddenly it started wilting. Then, one by one, its branches started dying off, victims of a borer infestation. We treated the tree, but to no avail, and in the fall we cut the poor dead tree down to the ground with plans to replace it in the Spring. I was going to dig it up right then, but deep down neither of us wanted to give up on it quite yet so we let it rest.

Winter passed, and we went out in the yard the following Spring resigned to the fact that we were finally going to have to dig it up. But, Lo and behold, there were tiny sprouts coming out of that dead stump, so we decided to let it go and see what it would do. That "dead" tree grew like gangbusters. Each successive Spring after that our reborn tree grew larger and larger, and always seemed to reach its full bloom right around Easter. In a 2012 conversation with Hank Simon, our pastor at the time, we all started referring to it as our Resurrection Tree, and Pastor Hank even based a sermon on it.

Nearly thirty years later, that tree still stands in our old front yard. If we'd given up, if we'd lost hope, it never would have achieved it's true potential. The photo below was taken in April of 2012 during Easter week. As you can see, with Marci standing under it to show its scale, it's huge and it's glorious. Since those first tiny sprouts showed up out of that stump, it's been a symbol of the power of hope for us, and a reminder that even a tiny spark of faith can yield breathtaking results.

God Bless and stay well,
Dan and Marci Beard

The Body of Christ and the Virus

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."  Corinthians 12:27 NRSV

On the way to the church (I'm at the office for a bit this afternoon, but still keeping my distance) it occurred to me how much I've missed everyone this week. Since I started treatments I've had several times that I've had to practice an early form of "social distancing." Most of it was simply staying home because all those medicines had knocked me down and out. Now with my immune system down, too, I've been watching where I go and how I interact with others. Elbow bumps, not handshakes, for example. Then the virus came and all of us went home. It's a strange time.

And yet Paul says we are the body of Christ. Whether we are gathered together each week or out and about or at home: we are Christ's body. Notice he does not say someone else is. No it is us, you, all of us. As he says, "we are individually members of it." Paul says this right after insisting that each member of the body is vitally important for the health of the body. One part of the body is an important as any other part of the body (I Corinthians 12:14-26). We need each other for the body of Christ to function where we are in ministry together.

So that is one reason why Christians have gathered to worship, serve, eat, share, pray, give, sing, listen, care, study, and a host of other things together as one body. We need each other and in a time of being "distant" from one another we need others even more. So how do we do this?

Social media is helpful. Sending an email is, too. I'm using it a lot more this week to stay in touch with you. Calling is another way. After my treatments next week I can't say how much I'll be able to be in touch. We'll see how it goes.But there is no replacement for real human interaction that is face-to-face. But for now this and other means of keeping in touch will have to do.

I hope you have accepted Bishop Lewis' invitation to pray each day at noon. If that is or was not a good time for you, pray any time for all those who are dealing with the virus and for healing and a cure. I pray for those who lead us each day, for those on the front lines like physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, nurses, CNAs, all those who are support staff, work in medical or hospital offices, police, fire and rescue, and so many others. Our son works in a grocery store in New Bern, NC. He says they have been so, so busy. He's the person behind the counter who checks out your groceries. Thank people like him for being there. And again, I think of Dr. Tony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins, two scientists and physicians with the NIH who are hard at work for all of us. 

In the fellowship of our Lord,

Clay+

Bishop Sharma Lewis: Pray at Noon Every Day

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV) Prayer is essential to sustain our faith and Jesus Christ modeled a life of prayer.

I would like to thank several of you that have suggested a corporate prayer time for the Virginia Annual Conference. I am very blessed to lead an annual conference that believes in the power of the petitioned prayer!

Please join me at 12 noon every day and pray the printed prayer below. Let us invoke the power of the Great Physician to do a mighty work in eradicating this disease all over the world.

Peace and Blessings,

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

Almighty God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

We thank you for your blessings, past, present and future. You are our rock and the source of our hope in all things and at all times. As Jehovah Jireh, our provider God, we ask you this day to stretch out your mighty hand and eradicate from the face of the earth forever this virus called COVID-19 (coronavirus) that is spreading rapidly from continent to continent. We also pray that you, Jehovah Rapha, our healing God, would place your hand upon all of those who have been stricken by this virus and restore them to full health. Be with those who have lost loved ones and are grieving. Protect all who are caring for those with this virus and keep them from contracting it themselves. Calm our fears and provide us with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Strengthen us with the joy of the Lord and help us to hold firmly to the hope that only you can provide. Unify us that we, the Virginia Annual Conference, may be able to experience anew the promise of your presence in and through the unity of our faith, hope and trust in you in the days ahead and forever. We offer this prayer in the mighty name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

God is at Work

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:5-6 (RSV)

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (RSV)

I just preached on Psalm 121 a few Sundays ago. I wonder if the Lord was getting me and all of us ready for what we're going through right now? I know since October I've been praying this psalm and turning its words over and over again in my heart and mind. Hear this again: the Lord is our, your keeper. Pray this alongside Psalm 23 where we say, "The Lord is my shepherd." The Lord shepherds us and keeps us. God is our protector and guardian. Trust him and trust his word. Let me be so bold as to suggest that you spend some time reading and praying Psalm 121. I really believe it is a word for us right now and that the Lord was preparing me and you for this time we are facing. Plus what we were already going through in our own lives.

Paul says God is at work for good in "everything." Even in a time of fear? Yes. Even when people are sick? Yes. It takes faith and trust to see this and at times we only get a glimmer. But if we train ourselves to see where God is at work, even when it seems he is absent, we just might see his mighty, yet gentle hand.

Just think of all the people working to bring healing to those who have the new virus. I read a wonderful interview of Francis Collins who leads the NIH. Did you know Collins is a Christian and a scientist? He went to UVA  and UNC! Yes, that's possible! He's a deeply Christian man who is just one of the people at work to bring a good solution to this new virus. And there are so many others: physicians, nurses, therapists, paramedics, EMTs, scientists, volunteers, helpers of many, many kinds. Through these people God is at work.

Continue to pray. Don't stop. It's tempting to do so with so much bad news. God works through our prayers. Yes, even our prayers. Keep in touch with friends and neighbors. Check on the elderly and the lonely. Listen. Send a card or an email or a text. Share this or the other emails I've sent. Stay connected. Put yourself in the position to be one of the ways God is at work in this crisis.

Don't hesitate to contact me for prayer or questions or other things. You can email, text, or call me. Yes, I'm having a CT tomorrow and treatments next week, but I still want to hear from you if you need me. I will do what I'm able and permitted to do given what the treatments have done to my immune system. But I can still pray and listen.

As I said yesterday we are improvising right now. We've never been through anything like this. God will see us through. God is at work. Jesus is with us; he is God with us. In Jesus God is for us not against us. Nothing at all can separate us from God's love. Nothing!

Clay+

Here is a online article about prayer you might find helpful.

Here is a recent interview with Dr Francis Collins with Focus on the Family.

Rev Clay Knick is the Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Middletown, Virginia.

Grace UMC and the Virus

Beloved of God,

Bishop Lewis has closed all VA Conference UM churches through March 29th. Since we are not to conduct meetings of more than 10 people that pretty much keeps us from having any meetings until further notice. If an emergency arises and a decision needs to be made we can poll everyone by email. That's my suggestion, if anyone has other ideas, please let me know. This is new territory for all of us. We need to be kind to one another. Everyone is so stressed or anxious. We're all adapting and improvising. Pray for all in leadership. We are trying to practice a nimble flexibility with all the information we are receiving.

Also, church expenses continue. Please mail your gifts [PO Box 61, Middletown VA 22645] to us or use PayPal. [Here is our PayPal link Or make your donation using your own bank online system] If you have any questions contact Carolyn Bell.

I am well aware that not everyone has email and that not everyone is on social media. I have reached out by phone to several of our members who have an illness or recent surgery. Let's all of us do that in some way. The US Postal Service is still running (I have more books on the way!) so send a card, too. I've received so many lately and they mean a lot. Interestingly enough none (!) have been identical.


And keep praying. I've been praying for all of our leaders. I've been so very impressed with Dr. Tony Fauci, haven't you? I'm so glad he is on the virus team. He's 79 and runs three miles a day! Pray for him and first responders, nurses, CNAs, physicians, office personnel, for all who work is health care in any way. As the weeks go by we're going to need them more and more.

I will be having a CT Scan Thursday. Dr. Ingram wants to see how things look after four rounds of treatments. Lisa will take me. Next Monday and Tuesday I will resume treatments for Round 5 if my blood counts permit it. I really want to get this one and the next one over with. Round 4 really took the wind out of my sails and I am ready to be done. But this virus has added a new dimension to my treatments. I have to be very careful going out. So that's why I am hardly going out at all. While Lisa can take me to my treatments next week since school is closed she is not allowed to stay. So that will be different and not quite as fun (did I really say that?!) as the other times she or Charlie have taken me. But the staff there will take really good care of me. They are wonderful, a blessing. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Ingram and everyone at Shenandoah Oncology.


Here's a passage of scripture I've been thinking about lately. It's from one of my favorite psalms. I quote from the RSV which remains one of my favorite translations along with the NRSV & NIV. For the Psalms the RSV shines brightly and is only rivaled by the KJV. Take these words to heart. Pray them during this anxious time.

"For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:5-8 RSV

Grace + peace,Clay+