Monday April 6^th 2020

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

Dear Friends,
 
My Friend Kevin Murphy is writing daily reflections on the Psalms to the flock he pastors in Xenia, Ohio. Last week, townsfolk remembered a local tragedy from years before. Here are Kevin’s words:
 
Earlier this week I was reminded by a long-time resident of the significance of this day for Xenia. It was in 1974 on April 3^rd that a half-mile wide tornado hit Xenia, killing 34 people, injuring another 1,150 and destroying over half the buildings in town. It was the event that spawned the [merger] of 1^st Presbyterian and 2^nd Presbyterian to form Memorial United Presbyterian. Personal memories of that fateful day are a part of just about every family’s history. I’ve heard many of those stories. Lives were drastically changed in a few short minutes that day, and those who experienced it will never forget it. Just as our lives are being changed by this virus and we will never forget this spring.
 
The psalmist has just finished complaining to God when he comes to his right mind and proclaims; And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” From that point on he can only be amazed at God’s mighty deeds and how it was that God brought the Israelites out of slavery.
 
I am becoming increasingly amazed at how the right hand of God is in the process, right now, of changing our grief. The fear and anxiousness that marked the beginning of this COVID-crisis has somewhat subsided. (You can now find toilet paper at most stores.) More and more people are taking seriously the restrictions, closures, distancing, staying at home and hand-washing. We are learning new ways to make our lives work during this crisis, new ways of being present for each other while we keep our physical distance. We are checking on our neighbors and calling our family and friends. We are offering money and prayers to those in need. In my mind, that is the amazing work of God changing our grief. Just as God was at work in Xenia following that tornado—changing grief into works of compassion and caring. 
 
May God continue to change our grief.
 
 
News:
 
Good News: Kristie Cozad does not have inflammatory breast cancer!
 
 
A Video Message from Matt: Observational arborist? Click here: https://youtu.be/B4nolfiqswY
 
  
Good Word:
 
from Psalm 77      
And I say, “It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds.
 
Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?
 
You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled. Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 
 
 
Let us pray
 
This prayer is the first and last verse of the old hymn, “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”  
 
Dear Lord and God of humankind, 
               forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind, 
               in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
 
Breathe through the heats of our desire 
               thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
               speak through the earthquake, 
               wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm! Amen 
 
 
Much love to you all. 
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church