Wednesday April 1^st 2020

A Weekday Emailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois 

Dear Friends,
 
The Coronavirus has shaken up our lives. How are you “embracing the shake”? This is from June Cullum:
 
I have found a positive thing to do that I would like to share with you.  Every morning at 11, I, my daughter, my granddaughter and 2 great grand kids meet at Hessel Park and walk around the park 2 or 3 times. It is a great way for us to see each other, 6 feet apart, and in the fresh air, and to keep connected when we are not getting together otherwise. There are a lot of people and dogs out there doing the same thing!  The sun has not been out yet but when it does come out it will be amazing!!
 
And we’ve gotten word from our mission co-workers in Indonesia. 
 
Bernie Adeney-Risakott writes that he and Farsijana are sheltering in place in Indonesia. Because travel isn’t safe and because they did not want to leave their mission field, they are there. Farsijana writes this:
 
 “As a deadly virus sweeps around the world, we are reminded of how much all communities in the world are connected. During this time of Lent, we are waiting for Christ’s resurrection. As a sign of this hope, I am fasting every Wednesday until Easter.  Then on April 23^rd, I will join in solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers to practice dawn to dark fasting during the month of Ramadan. We all share in the suffering of the world.  Christ reminds us that our response need not be fear, but rather to give all of our time, energy and resources in love for God and our neighbors. Bernie and I thank you for your prayers, love and support.  We need you.  We also pray for you, that in the mystery of God’s sovereignty, out of death will come life.  Out of a pandemic our communities in the USA and in Indonesia, as well as our suffering ecosystems, will experience the marvelous grace of God.”  
 
Let’s pray for them. Let’s write them via email in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
 
Bernie Adeney-Risakotta, baryogya@gmail.com
Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta, pondokjatirasa@yahoo.com
 
Much love to you all.
 
News:
 
Palm Branches: If any of you wish to drive through the alley between our Sanctuary and Education buildings on Thursday afternoon between 1:00 and 2:00, you will be met by a gloved volunteer(s) who will hand you through your open car window a palm branch for every member of your family. The palms have been boxed for over a week, so they carry no infection, advises Peter Yau. We will make no flesh-to-flesh contact in the exchange. 
 
Email us a picture: We’d like to share a picture of you with palm branches, picture of you with your cat, picture of you in your worship space, picture of you…where ever. We’re attempting to stay connected during this season of physical-distancing. Send a picture to live@firstpres.church.
 
Prayer Service on Thursday night:At 7:00 on this Thursday night, we will have a service of prayer live on Zoom. Bring your prayer concerns.  
Instructions will be provided soon.
 
A Video Message from Matt: Matt gets a facial? Try this:
https://youtu.be/4qe_bNQnRR4
 
 
The Good Word:  
 
James 1:22-25                                      
 22 Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. 23 If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror 24 and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. 25 But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.
 
22 Seulement, ne vous contentez pas de l’écouter, traduisez-la en actes, sans quoi vous vous tromperiez vous-mêmes. 23 En effet, si quelqu’un se contente d’écouter la Parole sans y conformer ses actes, il ressemble à un homme qui, en s’observant dans un miroir, découvre son vrai visage?: 24 après s’être ainsi observé, il s’en va et oublie ce qu’il est. 25 Voici, au contraire, un homme qui scrute la loi parfaite qui donne la liberté?: il lui demeure fidèlement attaché et, au lieu de l’oublier après l’avoir entendue, il y conforme ses actes?; cet homme sera heureux dans tout ce qu’il fait
 
Prayer:
 
May the strength of God pilot us.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the shield of God defend us.
May the host of God guard us
                       against the snares of evil
                       and the temptation of the world.
May Christ be with us,
Christ before us,
Christ in us, 
Christ over us.
May your salvation, O Lord,
be always ours this day
and forevermore. AMEN
                                      (Patrick of Ireland, c. 389-461).
 
PEACE, 
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church