5.17.2022 PBPC Family Bulletin
PBPC Family,
A huge thank you to everyone who came out for the Project Peace Day of Service on Saturday. I just received word from Project Peace that on Saturday over 100 volunteers from 16 different churches invested $9,540 of time and resources at 8 different sites! What a gift and blessing that we participated in this Kingdom work!
Project Peace is just one opportunity for us, as God's people, to rub shoulders with our neighbors in service to our community. I know that many of you are already giving of your time and talents in our community; this church has, and continues to be a blessing to this community.
As I said on Sunday, as your pastor, I will always be on the lookout for opportunities to serve our neighbors and the broader community. I don't do this to guilt people into action - the church has a solid track record of doing this and I think it's well and good that stays in the past. I will put opportunities for service before us so that our faith can be further realized. I am convinced that beliefs that do not lead to action are not true beliefs.
If we believe that God, in Jesus Christ, has given his life in love for all humanity, and that God, by the power of the Spirit, is renewing and restoring all things, both people and systems, and we do nothing, have we truly received this good news?
On the other hand, I've found that sometimes, when I'm wracked with doubt and unsure of what God is doing in the world, it is helpful to get outside my own navel-gazing and serve someone in love. When I do this, I see that God is bigger than my belief or unbelief. God is doing a good thing in the world and I want to be a part of that.
If you hear of opportunities for us to serve one another or the broader community in love, let me know! And know there will be more opportunities on the horizon for us to get our hands and feet dirty in Kingdom work!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Calvin
"Heaven Has a Lazy River"
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
Pastor Calvin Sodestrom
Bible App for Sunday, May 22 (with Lectionary Readings)
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday School is back in person - now meeting at 9:30 in the church Library next to the Iona Room. All are welcome to join. We will be studying the sermon Scripture passage (see above). Here's a ZOOM link for those who want to join remotely.
Kid's Corner!
This Sunday Scripture passage has lots of beautiful images of the heavenly city where God will dwell with God's people. Invite kids to draw pictures of things described in the city. Reflect on the following questions.
- Why do you think these things are present in the heavenly city? Why are they important?
- What might they teach us about what God is like?