This week's worship, including Faces of Distant Fellowship
May 21, 2020
Dear Folks of Savage Memorial ~
Grace and Peace to you, from God and our Lord, Jesus Christ. I hope this finds you well, safe, and keeping healthy in this month when we recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health.
We want to let you know that our Session met in its first online meeting on Wednesday, May 20. We had excellent participation, and took care of some very important business. First, in accordance with all health precautions and governmental guidance, we have suspended gathering for Sunday worship through the month of May. As we recounted missing worship together on Good Friday and Easter, we also gave thanks for all the people who have made online worship possible through the pandemic. The Membership, Evangelism, and Worship Committee will act as a task force to plan for future worship in person, as well as fielding provisions for other groups meeting under social distance requirements at the church.
Second, we approved mission support during the pandemic. We received a grant from Cascades Presbytery, and we approved a new mission relationship with Adorned in Grace, a Compassion Connect mission in our neighborhood aimed at young victims of sex trafficking. You will be hearing more about this work in the coming days, but we want to take this moment to ask for your support. $300 will be going to Adorned in Grace from the church, and we would love to have you join in with your own support. We will be designating $400 of the grant for SnowCAP in our ongoing relationship with them and their food ministry, and $300 to the direct meal work of Zaraphath Pantry in Gresham. The needs of poverty are spiking as we know, and these established ministries offer help and relief at the most basic level of life. For all three of these fine efforts, please send gifts to Savage Memorial, and designate your desired recipients if you would like to share in this work.
As we have said before, we are encouraging everyone to continue faithful giving to the church at this time as most of the costs of maintaining the church will continue. We can make offerings online through this website. We can use the text option to give at any time 503-783-8392 (text only the exact dollar amount). We can always mail our offerings in to the church. Thankfully through April, our offerings have continued from a distance with only reductions from a few folks, unlike some other congregations, and we need to maintain that faithfulness.
As we adapt to new rhythms of life, our congregational annual meeting and election of new officers will be postponed until we can safely gather in a representative, fair and safe manner. This is in accordance with authoritative guidance from the Presbytery and state restrictions. If you have any questions about how we will proceed, please do not hesitate to ask me. We concluded our Session meeting in extended prayer for our people, our government officials, and many individuals in specific need, particularly those suffering illness and isolation.
The Psalm reading for this Sunday (Psalm 68) includes the verses "Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death... Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies." As we learn more about the novel coronavirus, we are warned that the virus spreads in the air around us. We all have heard the 6-foot rule. Yet the power of God is in the skies -- high and wide and all-encompassing! God will lead us in escaping from this virus, and all the economic and social restrictions it has brought. And we all look forward to the day when we can sing once more, ascribing power to God in God's sanctuary.
Keep praying & wash your hands ~
Chris Grewe, moderator
for the Session
Dear Folks of Savage Memorial ~
Grace and Peace to you, from God and our Lord, Jesus Christ. I hope this finds you well, safe, and keeping healthy in this month when we recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health.
We want to let you know that our Session met in its first online meeting on Wednesday, May 20. We had excellent participation, and took care of some very important business. First, in accordance with all health precautions and governmental guidance, we have suspended gathering for Sunday worship through the month of May. As we recounted missing worship together on Good Friday and Easter, we also gave thanks for all the people who have made online worship possible through the pandemic. The Membership, Evangelism, and Worship Committee will act as a task force to plan for future worship in person, as well as fielding provisions for other groups meeting under social distance requirements at the church.
Second, we approved mission support during the pandemic. We received a grant from Cascades Presbytery, and we approved a new mission relationship with Adorned in Grace, a Compassion Connect mission in our neighborhood aimed at young victims of sex trafficking. You will be hearing more about this work in the coming days, but we want to take this moment to ask for your support. $300 will be going to Adorned in Grace from the church, and we would love to have you join in with your own support. We will be designating $400 of the grant for SnowCAP in our ongoing relationship with them and their food ministry, and $300 to the direct meal work of Zaraphath Pantry in Gresham. The needs of poverty are spiking as we know, and these established ministries offer help and relief at the most basic level of life. For all three of these fine efforts, please send gifts to Savage Memorial, and designate your desired recipients if you would like to share in this work.
As we have said before, we are encouraging everyone to continue faithful giving to the church at this time as most of the costs of maintaining the church will continue. We can make offerings online through this website. We can use the text option to give at any time 503-783-8392 (text only the exact dollar amount). We can always mail our offerings in to the church. Thankfully through April, our offerings have continued from a distance with only reductions from a few folks, unlike some other congregations, and we need to maintain that faithfulness.
As we adapt to new rhythms of life, our congregational annual meeting and election of new officers will be postponed until we can safely gather in a representative, fair and safe manner. This is in accordance with authoritative guidance from the Presbytery and state restrictions. If you have any questions about how we will proceed, please do not hesitate to ask me. We concluded our Session meeting in extended prayer for our people, our government officials, and many individuals in specific need, particularly those suffering illness and isolation.
The Psalm reading for this Sunday (Psalm 68) includes the verses "Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death... Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies." As we learn more about the novel coronavirus, we are warned that the virus spreads in the air around us. We all have heard the 6-foot rule. Yet the power of God is in the skies -- high and wide and all-encompassing! God will lead us in escaping from this virus, and all the economic and social restrictions it has brought. And we all look forward to the day when we can sing once more, ascribing power to God in God's sanctuary.
Keep praying & wash your hands ~
Chris Grewe, moderator
for the Session
"The work of a Christian requires a full set of Christian virtues...."
We grow those in worship together, to prepare for our week in the world.
We are working to maintain worship while respecting distance guidelines.
We grow those in worship together, to prepare for our week in the world.
We are working to maintain worship while respecting distance guidelines.
Glorifying God and Serving Our Community
Jessica says:
Church office hours are:
Monday through Thursday;
10 am to 3 pm.
Information cheerfully given.
Smiles freely shared!
Church office hours are:
Monday through Thursday;
10 am to 3 pm.
Information cheerfully given.
Smiles freely shared!
CALENDAR UPDATES HALTED FOR NOW. WATCH FOR REVISED SCHEDULING
What's Coming Up:
February
Season of Lent Begins
Thursday, February 27 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
March
Sunday, March 1 -- Communion Sunday, First Sunday in Lent, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 5 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 8 -- Daylight Saving Time starts.
Wednesday, March 11 -- Golden Girls, 11:30 am, at Heidi's in Gresham.
Thursday, March 12 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 15 -- Fred Gregory event POSTPONED, following worship.
Thursday, March 19 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 22 -- Handbell Choir in worship, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 26 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
April
Sunday, April 5 -- Palm/Passion Sunday, Communion Sunday, 10:30 am.
Holy Week Begins
Friday, April 10 -- Good Friday Worship, Office of Tenebrae, 7 pm.
Sunday, April 12 -- The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 19 -- Baked Potato Lunch, following worship, to support BackPack Buddies.
Join us as we reach out and celebrate together!
What's Coming Up:
February
Season of Lent Begins
Thursday, February 27 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
March
Sunday, March 1 -- Communion Sunday, First Sunday in Lent, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 5 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 8 -- Daylight Saving Time starts.
Wednesday, March 11 -- Golden Girls, 11:30 am, at Heidi's in Gresham.
Thursday, March 12 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 15 -- Fred Gregory event POSTPONED, following worship.
Thursday, March 19 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 22 -- Handbell Choir in worship, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 26 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
April
Sunday, April 5 -- Palm/Passion Sunday, Communion Sunday, 10:30 am.
Holy Week Begins
Friday, April 10 -- Good Friday Worship, Office of Tenebrae, 7 pm.
Sunday, April 12 -- The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 19 -- Baked Potato Lunch, following worship, to support BackPack Buddies.
Join us as we reach out and celebrate together!
A Time to Give Thanks -- Sunday Worship, 10:30 am.
Baking cookies, and Jackie delivering them to Rhona at Transitional Youth. Each ziplock contained a Bible verse and a prayer from SMPC. Thanks to the Membership & Evangelism Committee. Mission is Sweet!
|
|
Thanks Be to God!
Here's a sample of Elaine's anthem, "Thanks Be to God!"
| thanks_be_to_god_.mp3 |
|
A greeting from our pastor....
|
|
In all things, we are thankful!
|
|
Friends and family, sharing good times and growing in our faith.
Christians in Conversation
Thursdays at 10:30 am. Join us for topical, faithful conversations. An "open space," we will go where the Spirit leads!
Thursdays at 10:30 am. Join us for topical, faithful conversations. An "open space," we will go where the Spirit leads!
Grace and peace to you, in the name of Jesus Christ!
Church family: for some people, these two words are synonymous. For others, the family in which they grew up included a particular church, the celebrations and familiar feel of church. For some, the words conjure up a closed picture of a clan you have to be born or marry into. But that is not us.
At Savage Memorial, we are proud to be a church family. For us, that means people of all generations are valued and included. That means the ties of love are continually extended to include new life, new people, new experiences. Church family means we eat together, celebrate together, cry together, and grow together in faith.
We welcome folks of every worldly condition into our church family, regardless of race, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or economic condition. We are committed to the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons.
We are members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and as such are a worship-centered, Biblically-ordered, and Spirit-led expression of the larger church. Connections to other believers, congregations, and ministries keep us personally involved with Christ’s worldwide work. In worship, fellowship, and mission, we joyfully give all praise and honor and glory to God.
Our people are connected to the world and our communities. Thoughtful awareness and genuine engagement with the workings of the world are valued here. We come from around the corner, across the country, and the world over, and we relish the diversity of a family with broad roots. Our dedication has long been captured in the line – To the Glory of God and the Service of our Community. Yes, that’s us.
We invite you to join us as we offer ourselves to God and are prepared for God’s service in the world. There is a place for you at our family table.
Shalom – Chris Grewe, pastor
Church family: for some people, these two words are synonymous. For others, the family in which they grew up included a particular church, the celebrations and familiar feel of church. For some, the words conjure up a closed picture of a clan you have to be born or marry into. But that is not us.
At Savage Memorial, we are proud to be a church family. For us, that means people of all generations are valued and included. That means the ties of love are continually extended to include new life, new people, new experiences. Church family means we eat together, celebrate together, cry together, and grow together in faith.
We welcome folks of every worldly condition into our church family, regardless of race, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or economic condition. We are committed to the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons.
We are members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and as such are a worship-centered, Biblically-ordered, and Spirit-led expression of the larger church. Connections to other believers, congregations, and ministries keep us personally involved with Christ’s worldwide work. In worship, fellowship, and mission, we joyfully give all praise and honor and glory to God.
Our people are connected to the world and our communities. Thoughtful awareness and genuine engagement with the workings of the world are valued here. We come from around the corner, across the country, and the world over, and we relish the diversity of a family with broad roots. Our dedication has long been captured in the line – To the Glory of God and the Service of our Community. Yes, that’s us.
We invite you to join us as we offer ourselves to God and are prepared for God’s service in the world. There is a place for you at our family table.
Shalom – Chris Grewe, pastor