This week's Encouragement was submitted by: Jerry Christy, Beth Kazer and Pastor Todd Allen
Happy Easter. Easter has always been, for me, a time for rejoicing the risen Lord. It is a time for happiness, for new beginnings, a fresh start, Spring time, daffodils, tulips, chirping birds, bunnies in the back yard, and fresh air. Jesus had experienced a horrible time in his life, and suffered a painful death a little over 2,000 years ago. Yet, on that first Easter Sunday, he arose from the dead, basking in the arms of his Father, and the glory of Heaven. It was a joyous day for Him, a time for new beginnings, a fresh start for us.
Today, we all have recently experienced several weeks of pain, hardships, and difficulties in dealing with this Covid-19 pandemic that had drastically changed our lifestyle and health. It has been horrible for many businesses, families, and individuals throughout the world. It has been a time for great sadness.
I see this Easter season of 2020 as a very unique opportunity for joy. I frequently see news and signs around town, the nation, and around the world that "We are in this together". It is so refreshing how kind and thoughtful people have become as a result of this pandemic: food drives, people shopping for others, picking up medications for neighbors, our Deacons are checking in members of WPC who live alone or are elderly, and people sending prayers and food to front line health care workers. People have slowed down in this fast-paced world, and are being more considerate, kind, and more thoughtful of others. And it is not just locally. People from around the world are sending prayers, thoughts of love and concern, medicines, food, and medical supplies across borders. This worldwide cooperation has not concurred since WWll in response to a very evil enemy. Today, the world again is responding to another evil enemy, this viral pandemic.
It is my prayer during this Easter season that this kindness to one another...to our family, our church family, neighbors and community, people throughout Ohio and our nation, and to the people throughout the world.... continue this refreshing time of goodwill and happiness, that it be a time for new beginnings, and a fresh start for humanity. It is an opportunity to be more kind to one another long after the pandemic subsides and goes away. We are in this together. It is the message Jesus sent to us through his death, and rising in glory on the first Easter.
Happy Easter.
Jerry Christy
Deacon 2020
Member Peace and Peacemaking Ministry
WPC WEDNESDAY WORD:
POSITIVELY PRAISING OUR LORD
TOGETHER
Sue Dougherty had a great idea and we are going to put it into motion! During this crazy, troubling time, let’s count our blessings by calling WPC (937) 773-0564 or emailing (wpcpiqua@sbcglobal.net) and share our joys, blessings and things that make us smile each week while “we are apart from one another”.
If these happy thoughts are not received in the church office by Tuesday, your “smile” will be printed the following Wednesday.
We hope you are healthy and happy and we look forward to hearing from you!
Beth Kazer
This cartoon comes to us courtesy of Mr. Victor Bundke in the Netherlands. Victor met Pastor Todd during Todd's recent trip to Holland, and they have remained in touch!
Happy Easter. Easter has always been, for me, a time for rejoicing the risen Lord. It is a time for happiness, for new beginnings, a fresh start, Spring time, daffodils, tulips, chirping birds, bunnies in the back yard, and fresh air. Jesus had experienced a horrible time in his life, and suffered a painful death a little over 2,000 years ago. Yet, on that first Easter Sunday, he arose from the dead, basking in the arms of his Father, and the glory of Heaven. It was a joyous day for Him, a time for new beginnings, a fresh start for us.
Today, we all have recently experienced several weeks of pain, hardships, and difficulties in dealing with this Covid-19 pandemic that had drastically changed our lifestyle and health. It has been horrible for many businesses, families, and individuals throughout the world. It has been a time for great sadness.
I see this Easter season of 2020 as a very unique opportunity for joy. I frequently see news and signs around town, the nation, and around the world that "We are in this together". It is so refreshing how kind and thoughtful people have become as a result of this pandemic: food drives, people shopping for others, picking up medications for neighbors, our Deacons are checking in members of WPC who live alone or are elderly, and people sending prayers and food to front line health care workers. People have slowed down in this fast-paced world, and are being more considerate, kind, and more thoughtful of others. And it is not just locally. People from around the world are sending prayers, thoughts of love and concern, medicines, food, and medical supplies across borders. This worldwide cooperation has not concurred since WWll in response to a very evil enemy. Today, the world again is responding to another evil enemy, this viral pandemic.
It is my prayer during this Easter season that this kindness to one another...to our family, our church family, neighbors and community, people throughout Ohio and our nation, and to the people throughout the world.... continue this refreshing time of goodwill and happiness, that it be a time for new beginnings, and a fresh start for humanity. It is an opportunity to be more kind to one another long after the pandemic subsides and goes away. We are in this together. It is the message Jesus sent to us through his death, and rising in glory on the first Easter.
Happy Easter.
Jerry Christy
Deacon 2020
Member Peace and Peacemaking Ministry
WPC WEDNESDAY WORD:
POSITIVELY PRAISING OUR LORD
TOGETHER
Sue Dougherty had a great idea and we are going to put it into motion! During this crazy, troubling time, let’s count our blessings by calling WPC (937) 773-0564 or emailing (wpcpiqua@sbcglobal.net) and share our joys, blessings and things that make us smile each week while “we are apart from one another”.
If these happy thoughts are not received in the church office by Tuesday, your “smile” will be printed the following Wednesday.
We hope you are healthy and happy and we look forward to hearing from you!
Beth Kazer
This cartoon comes to us courtesy of Mr. Victor Bundke in the Netherlands. Victor met Pastor Todd during Todd's recent trip to Holland, and they have remained in touch!
