Crawford Weekly Messenger: What's In This Issue
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Peace and Quiet
This Sunday (January 10th), while Pastor Anne is finding some peace and quiet after her cataract surgery, we will hear from guest preacher, Rev. John DeNardo. John, an ordained American Baptist Minister, serves as pastor at the First Baptist Church of Winchester. His sermon, entitled "A Little Peace and Quiet," will be based on the scripture leading up to Jesus' feeding the five thousand:
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Rev. DeNardo is a seminary graduate from Regent University with an M.A. in Practical Theology as well as a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Gordon College. As a Minister he focuses on providing leadership in the areas of spiritual and community growth. John and his wife Lynda currently live in Newburyport, Massachusetts where they have raised their two daughters.
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Everyone who joined last Sunday's service online was given a "star word" -- something to serve as a point of focus for meditation and prayer in 2021. If you missed last week's service, here's how you can get a star word of your own:
- Pick a number between 1 and 72.
- When you have your number, scroll to the end of this email message. Look at the chart to find out which word corresponds to your number.
This will be your word to ponder and reflect on throughout 2021.
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A new adult class, led by Frank Leathers over Zoom, began this morning, but it's not too late to join! We are reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. In it, the author examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. It's not an easy read, but it is an important one.
Visit https://crawfordmethodist.org/adult-programs/ to download the course outline and find out how to get a copy of the book.
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Resources for Children and Families
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Children and families! Curriculum is sent each Friday by email. Grandparents and caregivers are welcome to join this list; please contact Jessica to be added.
Also, watch the weekly children's message (or catch up on Arlo and Sylvie's latest capers) whenever you want on the Crawford webpage or on our Youtube channel!
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The Council of Social Concern's Food Pantry was inundated with food donations over the Christmas season, so we'll take a short break on collecting food donations for the Food Pantry. However -- we need to replenish the Crawford Micro Pantry almost daily! If you can help, the top 5 on the Micro Pantry Hit Parade are boxes of pasta, shelf stable milk, cans of tuna, regular size boxes of cereal, and peanut butter. Just a friendly reminder that when donating non-perishable food items and/or personal care products, we ask that you make sure they are unexpired and unopened.
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Prayer Vigil for Our Nation
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On Wednesday evening, Bishop Devadhar and his team hosted a prayer vigil in the midst of the turmoil at our nation's Capitol. For those who were unable to participate on Wednesday, the vigil was recorded. It offers an hour of scripture, sacred song, traditional and contemporary prayers, and plenty of silence and space for your own personal prayers. To view, click on the link provided here, or copy and paste it into your browser.
https://vimeo.com/498048811#t=1m0s
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This week, we ask you to add to your prayers these members of our community, and those whose names have been shared by community members. Whether we know their need or not, God knows. Please pray for each one as you are able. (For a list of ongoing prayer concerns, visit https://crawfordmethodist.org/about/our-prayers/.)
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- Roy and Sandy Lawson, and for their son Mark. Roy was diagnosed last Friday with Covid and Pneumonia, but is improving and has been released from the hospital to continue recuperating at home. This Monday, however, Mark was admitted to Winchester Hospital and is very sick with Covid. Please pray for the whole Lawson family.
- Anita Gerrein's friends, Ray and Dolores, who are also ill with Covid.
- All those who struggle with addiction.
- Katherine, one of our childcare workers, who is experiencing a difficult time.
If you would like to add to or remove from our prayer list, please fill out our prayer request form (https://crawfordmethodist.org/prayer-request/).
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The Upper Room Online!
Both the January / February issue and November / December 2020 issue of The Upper Room are available online! Click on the link provided here, or copy and paste it into your browser:
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January Birthdays
| January 10 |
Barbara Fickett |
| January 11 |
Susan Knox |
| January 12 |
Jonathan Jampel |
| January 16 |
Owen Hilliard |
| January 17 |
Bryan Hilliard |
| January 20 |
Karen Murphy |
| January 21 |
Patty Mac Hewitt |
| January 23 |
Debra Coglianese |
| January 26 |
Rick Murphy |
| January 27 |
Karen Beals |
| January 27 |
Joan Ross |
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January Anniversary
January 27 Karen & Larry Beals
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What's your star word?
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