|
|
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM.
Service repeated on following Thursday evening at 5:30 PM
Nursery provided for children through age 5 at both services.

Many months ago a church member left a book on my desk entitled Quiet Places
by a little-known author. A note was tucked inside the cover that invited me
to take some time for myself. She said she felt called to minister to ministers!
She cautioned against burn-out.
Over the year that book moved from one location
to another - from my office to my kitchen counter, to the coffee table, to the
night stand. One day I’d read a page or more and then weeks and months
would go by when I never opened the cover. Life was too busy. There were too
many responsibilities. Things like getting used to a new place, dealing with
illnesses and choirs and floods and conflicts sapped my energy and my time.
One day I finally nestled into the corner of my favorite chair and read that
little book. I read until I finished it. And I felt better. I had slowed down
and slipped away physically and mentally and emotionally from all the pressures
and burdens. I slipped away to a place where God was amazingly present and calming
and filling. Suddenly I could breathe deeper and I felt calmer and more hopeful.
I felt more joyful and refreshed. When the apostles came to Jesus to report
all they had done, Mark 6:31 says that Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t
stop now! You’re on a roll! Keep your nose to the grindstone!” No!
Instead he told them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves
and rest a while.” Jesus himself took time, he called the disciples, and
he calls you and me to take time to rest and refresh. Yes, even in the midst
of the “everyday-ness” and pressures of life!
So, where is your quiet place? Where do you go and what do you do to refresh
from flood recovery work, family struggles, and nagging needs? Summer is a great
opportunity to rest and it is a good time to practice what you will continue
to do all year long to refresh. This summer let’s not simply exchange
one set of frantic activities for another. Let’s develop some new life-giving
habits that truly re-create our spirit with the Spirit! Read scripture. Pray.
Read books. Talk with friends. Take walks. Listen to music.
Count your blessings. Begin today! If Jesus needed to refresh, we must need
it even more!
Summer Blessings,
Pastor Gayle
Recovery 2008
Methodist Churches and Lovely Lane Vounteers
The Iowa Annual Conference has provided Cedar
Rapids with four trailers to serve as supply depots for flood relief.
Lovely Lane is staffing Depots at St. James and Salem. Please sign up in the narthex!
Meet our new members!
| |
|
Want to order anything from Cokesbury?
Order using this link and Lovely Lane will receive a rebate.
|
|
|
|
|