May 8, 2011

Happy Mother’s Day

I wish you a blessed Mother’s Day, and pray today will be all you expect it to be.

Mother’s Day 2011

“Mother’s Day began in the late 1800′s as a peace movement.  After so many mothers lost their sons in the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe declared Mother’s Day as a day to celebrate peace and honor mothers, especially those who had lost their sons.  Mrs. Howe, who had written the Battle Hymn of the Republic, an anthem carried by the Union Soldiers that speaks of her view of God’s divine will for the Union Army to be victorious, now began a tradition centered on peace, thinking of mothers on both sides of the war who lost their sons.  This tradition was continued by Anna Jarvis who founded the Mother’s Day celebration that we know (for more information go to: http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/) While this has become a “Hallmark Holiday,” the roots of this particular holiday are in the Christian Peace movements, and it is important to note, honor, celebrate and remember.  As we are caught up in two wars (possibly a third in Libya) and civil unrest may lead to civil war in Syria and other places around the world, not to mention the genocide in Sudan that continues to rage on, let us remember all those, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, wives and husbands, children, who have lost loved ones in war.”

Members and Friends from Berea

Do you have jobs at or around your home that one or two young people could to do this summer? Do you know neighbors or friends living here in Berea that jobs that our Berea youth could do? Jobs must be located in Berea. The foundation provides summer job opportunities for youth ages 16, 17, and 18. Please let me know if you have any job opportunities that you could possible employ a youth. We want to do our very best here in Berea to keep our youth engaged in positive behavior and conduct, to expose them to some valuable training, to give them the opportunity to give back something to the community, and to give them the opportunity to earn some income. The program is titled:

Gospel Concert

The Adult Choir of People’s Community Church (PCC) invites you to attend a gospel concert on Sunday, May 15 at 4:00pm. The Outreach Choir of Lorain County directed by Mrs. Blossie Wright and accompanied by Mr. Terry Horton will perform many of your favorite gospel songs. The purpose of this concert is to assist the church in its current efforts to raise funds to purchase a needed electronic message sign. The concert will be held here at the church. Following the concert light refreshments will be served.

New Electronic Message Center Sign for the church

At our earliest opportunity, we will update you on the results so far from our efforts to raise funds to purchase the subject sign.

I realize that many of you have already turned in pledge cards and made donations. We are very appreciative of your quick and prompt response. If you have not done so, you may be wondering how you can donate to this important cause today. Complete a pledge/donation card. A card should be in the seat pocket in front of you or you can get one from our ushers. If for some reason, you cannot make a pledge/donation today, please take the pledge card with you and pray about your decision. Perhaps you can send or bring your pledge/donation soon. I thank God for your financial support and prayers for this sign.

Remember the need for the sign is to assist us in being more effective in getting the word out about Christ and to reach non-believers with the message of salvation.

Clean Up Day

Join us on Saturday, May 21 to spruce things up around our place of worship. Also, do you know of things we need to clean up and tidy up? Please list items and leave your list in the noted area on the ushers’ table this Sunday and next Sunday. We’d like to get lots of help; “many hands make the load lighter.” Plan to join us at 10:00am here at the church.

UPCOMING DATES:

DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S LESSON:

May 9 through May 15 2011

Mon       Psalm 23--The Lord Is My Shepherd.

Tues.      Ezekiel 34:11-16—God, the True Shepherd.

Wed.      John 10:11-16—The Good Shepherd.

Thurs.     Matthew 9:35-38—The Shepherd’s Compassion.

Fri.        Matthew 25:31-40—The Shepherd’s Judgment.

Sat.       Psalm 107:1-9—The Shepherd’s Steadfast Love.

Sun.       Revelation 7:9-17—The Lamb as the Shepherd.

And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”. ~~Revelation 7:10, NIV