Wednesday May 27^th 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
Some of you have asked for Sunday’s lyric. Here it is:
 
 How Do I Pray?
 
I.          
How do I pray?
What do I say
to a God from whom 
nothing is secret?
 
II.
How do I say
What’s in my heart
—a heart that is swirling and aching, 
a heart that’s a secret to me?
 
III.
God of the cosmos
Ruler of all
Lover of nature and nations 
O Spirit of God I’m in awe . . . 
 
IV.
I stand here before you
I shake in your sight.
Unworthy and broken and 
pleading and seeking your light.
 
V.
How do I reach you
With a voice that’s so weak?
Or do you do the finding
And into this darkness 
you seek even me?
Even me?
 
VI.
How do I pray?
What do I say 
to a God from whom 
nothing is secret? 
 
(Matt Matthews, for the play Kara’s Dance)
 
News:
 
Wednesday Vespers! Tonight at 7:00 p.m. our weekly Wednesday Night Gathering via ZOOM will feature Dr. Rachel Matthews leading a Bible study on the Old Testament book of Joel. Let’s build our church! Email info@firstpres.church for the link.

The Pathways To Peace / Pakistan Group would love to have you join them. Come on in for a visit, Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30
Join Zoom Meeting  

Email info@firstpres.church for the link.

Members of Mission Possible have been busy creating and installing a handrail to the stairway leading up to the choir room and Sanctuary.   Many thanks to Bill Gamble and Itch Jones for their work…note they are obeying the “mask” guidelines!

 
For All The Saints . . . We celebrate the lives of Elizabeth Robinson Eisner (Nancy Martin’s mother) and Jeannie Murray. Both saints died on Friday. The families appreciate your prayers and we all look forward to the day when we can have Memorial Services in the Sanctuary to celebrate the God of life. 
 
Humor:
 
What gets wet as it gets dryer?
 
When is a door not a door?
 
When the three-legged dog walked into the bar, what did he say?
 
(I’ll share your answers tomorrow.)
 
Good Word: (David’s prayer)
 
2 Samuel 7:18-19 Good News Translation (GNT)
 
18 Then King David went into the 
Tent of the Lord’s presence, 
sat down and prayed, 
 
“Sovereign Lord, I am not worthy 
of what you have already 
done for me, 
nor is my family. 
 
Let us pray: (Another David’s prayer)
 
Glory to you, Prodigal Provider, 
for the bumper crop of generosity 
being harvested in this season. 
 
I pray your heart gladdens with delight 
as you see children’s encouraging 
sidewalk art, 
 
or an exhausted parent’s calming hug;
 
hear sweet music from balcony soloists 
or virtual choirs; 
 
smell donated flowers, 
 
aromas from chef-prepared meals 
donated for the poor, 
 
or fresh baked goods left at 
the front lines of care; 
 
feel the pulsing flow from donors’ 
veins to blood banks, 
 
or the touch of nurses’, doctors’, 
 
or chaplains’ gloved hands on the brows 
of the sick or dying, while still speaking 
words of hope, comfort, 
 
or blessing to those in need. 
 
In the midst of the bombastic bedlam 
of the self-serving, may I not miss 
these beautiful, bounteous blessings 
discretely planted, fed, and nourished 
by your goodness and grace. Amen.
 
(Rev. Dr. David Hindman)
 
Much, much love to you all.
 
PEACE,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church