Notes and News – 04/24/21

Just 8 Days from Today We Return to In-Person Worship!!

After over a year we are on the verge of returning to worship in-person in our sanctuary at 10:25am. In some ways this time apart has seemed more like a decade than 14 months. In other ways this year has flown by. But I suspect I speak for all of us when I say it has been a trying, painful time that has reminded us just how important human connection and community is.

When we return it won’t be quite the same as before ,but it will be meaningful, safe, and important. Here is what our website says:

Be Our Guest on Sunday

WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE EVERY SUNDAY

Beginning Sunday, May 2nd, we return to our in-person worship celebrations in our sanctuary. These services will also be offered “live” on Zoom or can be viewed later on our YouTube channel.

Our Sunday morning worship celebrations are traditional and reflect the informal atmosphere of the mid-western, Tampa Bay area of Florida’s west coast. 

As we return to in-person worship we will continue to follow the lead of doctors and scientists stressing safety, with the wearing of masks and social distancing being required. We are committed to doing all we can do to ensure to the best of our ability a safe experience for all. We are also committed to “returning to normal” when it is safe to do so.

The schedule for each Sunday’s worship celebration is: 

10:05am EST – Sanctuary doors opened. will be activated. If you join at this time, you will be in our waiting room.

10:10am EST – “Live” Zoom service link activated and music begins to play, allowing you to "join audio" and adjust volume prior to the service beginning. Although your device microphone and camera will be turned off, this will not impact you hearing and viewing the service.

10:25am EST – Worship Celebration in Sanctuary and on Zoom begins.

There will be a Fellowship time on Zoom for all who would like to participate later on Sunday afternoon. This will begin at 1pm EST and typically last for 15 to 30 minutes.

I hope you and visitors to our website find this helpful. I look forward to being able to say, “See you in church”.

Grace and Peace, John

In Person Worship Will Continue to Be Shown on ZOOM

We will continue to record and show our worship services on Zoom with our in-person worship. The only difference is that all of the service will be recorded “live” instead our present method. Nothing else will change. We have been working to get all the necessary technology and equipment in place to do this. A major portion of the cost will be offset by a special Peace River Presbytery “Virtual Church Grant”. This outreach is one of the blessings of this past year.

Notes and News – 04/18/21

Questions You May Have Returning to in-Person Worship:

What it will be like when we return to in-person worship. I will address question that have been shared with me or that I think you may have. If you have any additional questions or thoughts - please feel free to send them to: pastor@ppcfl.org or office@ppcfl.org.

1.      What time will our worship celebration start?

At 10:25am.

2.      Will there be the chance to see the service on Zoom?

Absolutely YES. You can follow the directions in the invitation which will be emailed out or go to our website (www.ppcfl.org) to view it at another time.

3.      Can I invite friends?

YES. All will be welcome.

4.      What is being done to make it as safe as possible?

Masks are required, temperatures will be taken, only the sanctuary entrance will be open, the seating in the pews will reflect social distancing, all door knobs and pews will be wiped down prior to the Sunday service, bibles and hymnals have been removed from the pews.

5.      What about the air conditioning?

We are looking at ways to “clean” the air before it recirculates in the sanctuary and hope to have something in place by May 2nd.

6.      What about singing?

We will be singing with masks on.

7.      What if someone has a temperature of 100 or greater?

They will be lovingly and firmly invited to return on a Sunday when they no longer have a temperature.

8.      What if I forgot my face mask or it breaks?

We will have masks available for any who need them.

9.      What time can I arrive?

Sometime between 10:10 and 10:25 should work well for most people.

10.  What if someone refuses to wear a mask?

They will be lovingly but firmly invited to return on a Sunday when masks are no longer required. We will welcome them at that time.

11.  Will there be a Sunday morning Bible Study?

No. We will continue with the Wednesday afternoon Bible study instead.

12.  How will we greet one another?

With an intentional and planned wave.

13.  Will we have Communion?

Yes. Pre-packaged cups and wafers will be available in the pews. We will celebrate Communion on May 2nd.

14.  Will there be an offering?

No. Offering plates will be at the entrance or you can continue to mail in your offering.

15.  Will there be a bulletin?

We will use the projector and screen in the sanctuary. This will also allow our virtual congregation to follow along during the service as well as remove the safety risk of bulletins and paper.

16.  Will there be a fellowship time?

Yes. The actual time has not yet been determined. It will be on Zoom and an invitation will be sent. Probably the most likely times will be between 1 and 2 on Sunday afternoons. The likely duration will be between 20 and 30 minutes.

17.  What if I am not yet vaccinated?

We would hope as many people as possible will be vaccinated because those will be the people who are the safest. However, it IS NOT at this point, a requirement for worshipping in-person. We will continue to listen to the doctors and scientists about this.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/10/21

Session Votes to Return to in-Person Worship: May 2, 2021

Our Session with unanimous consensus voted to return to in-person worship at 10:25am on Sunday May 2nd.  This decision to return to in-person worship is coupled with a firm commitment to do it a manner that provides, as best as we possibly can, for the health and safety of every person joining us for worship. This means we will be listening to the doctors and scientists, including the CDC, for guidance throughout the remainder of this pandemic. It also means we support the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and people being vaccinated. With that in mind our Session has also adopted the following requirements for all who will be worshiping with us in person:

1.     Prior to each Sunday worship celebration, the sanctuary entrance hand railings and door handles will be wiped done with disinfectant wipes.

2.     The only usable entranced to the church will be the front sanctuary entrance.

3.     Temperatures will be taken upon entering the sanctuary.

4.     The appropriate wearing of a mask will be mandatory (until the CDC says otherwise)

5.     Pews will be wiped down prior to the service just like the outside railings.

6.     The pews will be marked to show what seating is available. Only designated pews will be used, and a person or a couple will “fill” the pew. This will allow for appropriate social distancing and safe singing and participating in worship.

7.     Hand sanitizer will be available in every pew and by the front door.

8.     Restrooms will be available with social distancing and hand washing expected.

9.     Social distancing markings will be on the sanctuary entrance sidewalk and on the sanctuary carpet.

10.  Hymnals and Bibles will be removed from the pews until it is once again safe to use them. You are encouraged to bring your own Bible to church.

11.  We will use the sanctuary overhead projector and screen for our bulletin and hymns. This will give our in-home virtual worshipping family a better opportunity to follow along and participate.

12.  Until it is safe, we will use a “wave” to greet one another in lieu of or customary time of greeting and welcome.

13.   Offering plates will be available as you enter the sanctuary (or you may simply wish to mail in your offerings as you have been).

14.  When we celebrate The Lords Supper (as we will on May 2nd) we will have self-contained, pre-sealed communion cups and wafers in the appropriately designated pews.

I realize this list may at first seem a bit overwhelming. It really is not. I wanted to spell out as much as I could to give you the most accurate picture possible. Next week I will address some of the situations and questions that may arise when we return to in-person worship. If you have any  questions or thoughts - please feel free to send them to: pastor@ppcfl.org or office@ppcfl.org.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 04/03/21

Target Date to Return to in Person Worship: May 2, 2021

The question that has been on the hearts and minds of many in our congregation and community is when we return to worship in person. I believe I can speak for all of us when I say We are all eager to worship together again safely and joyfully.

The COVID-19 virus has had a painful impact on the life of our congregation. We understand that our virtual worship services only fill a portion of the worship void the COVID-19 situation has created. This past year of isolation has hurt everyone. As a church and as a society, we have been reminded again of the value and importance of human interaction and simple human touch.

The decision to return together to worship in person will be made with a commitment to the safety of our congregation and all who join us in worship. We are also committed to continuing our Zoom worship experience for those who cannot be with us in person. This outreach has been one of the blessings of this past year.

It appears with the growing list of people being fully vaccinated and the encouraging reports of the effectiveness of the various vaccines that our time apart is nearing its end. With this in mind we have set a TARGET DATE OF MAY 2, 2021 to resume in person worship.

In some ways the coming weeks will be the most challenging because the end of this ordeal is so close at hand. This is the time we must remain steadfastly committed to the values of safety and listening to the scientists and doctors for our guidance and not on our personal desires or what other churches may or may not be doing.

Our Thrift Store, which had been closed, is now open on a limited basis from 12noon to 3pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Temperatures are taken at the door, masks are mandatory, and social distancing is requested and expected.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/27/21

Update on Our Community Garden!

Last Saturday with the help of Jeff and Joan Bryden, Jan Baxter’s grandson Brian, Scott Kirschler, Brian Voye, our great neighbors, Chuck Sudvary and Dennis Lee, and Bruce Fox of Fox Excavation 5 trees (called popcorn trees and classified as an invasive, nuisance tree) were taken down, their stumps and roots taken out and piled in a line on the 10th Avenue side of the south lot. Bruce Fox did the lion’s share of the work with his equipment. This made the job much easier and far quicker. By Wednesday afternoon all the limbs, stumps and other debris were picked by the city. The big tree nearest 10th Avenue remains.

On Thursday morning Jeff Bryden and his neighbor picked up 3 Brogdon Avocado trees which were planted in Doug Dukes memory. These are avocados that you can not buy in the stores because they do no ship well. The season for these is July through September. It will be a season or two before these bear fruit but when it does happen, they will be delicious.  We will also be getting 3 or more avocado trees that yield their fruit into December. This will give us a longer harvesting season for avocados.

In addition to the avocado trees, we will be planting mango trees and some papayas (from seeds). We will also be planting some Meyer lemon trees and Naval orange trees in the containers that our avocado and mango trees came in. (We will be doing this to make them less susceptible to the things that kill citrus trees and easier to dispose of if they become infected). Our friend Mack from the Agricultural Extension Service is an incredibly helpful resource person and a joy to work with.

We will also be working on a gazebo with a picnic table for rest and fellowship on the north side of the garden. The next thing we will be doing is getting the required fence installed. There will also be a tool shed within the garden. There will be a composting area outside of the garden. Of course, there will be plots for gardens and educational classes and more. We have been working with Mack for nearly 2 years. What I am sharing is just an introduction. I expect this community garden will be much like our thrift store as a vital outreach to our community and an entry point into the life of our church.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/20/21

When One of us Suffers…

In the magnificent chapter on the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) Paul is writing to the faction torn church in Corinth where various groups thought they were special, and others were less or even unimportant. He points out in verse 26 that when one member of the body suffers the whole body suffers and when one rejoices the whole body rejoices. To be sure, Paul was writing to a deeply divided church, but it would be a mistake to think what Paul was saying only applies to the church.  His wisdom includes not only the church - it can also be applied to all of humanity! Both in the church and beyond, we are deeply and profoundly connected to one another. We often may not recognize it, but the reality still holds true, when one person suffers, we all suffer. Just because we may not consciously realize it does not alter the reality – when any one of us (i.e., any human being) suffers, we all suffer. The same applies to joy, even if we do not recognize it.

I was reminded of the truth and power of this reality two times over the last 7 days. The first was a “community” funeral I led on Saturday. I did not know the person or her family at all. (The more I learned about her listening to others share at her service the more I wished I had known her.) But as I listened to their sharing, both the pain of loss and the joy of times shared, I found myself feeling both their joy and their sadness. We were all connected even though I didn’t know a single person there until a daughter-in-law and son called me late last week.  We were all connected even though the large gathering of people was about as varied as you could imagine.

The second time was the senseless murders of 8 people in Atlanta. Some are trying to paint this as the result of a sex addiction. The fact that all 3 establishments, where these murders took place were Asian-American, would seem to me to tell a different story. I am sure more will come out in the near future. From what I have learned so far, this tragic event appears to have the tell-tale marks of white supremacy and racism. It may or may not meet the legal definition of a hate crime. Regardless it was a crime of hate. And there is no reason that sex addiction and hatred can not both be motives. They are not automatically mutually exclusive.

Some might say I am becoming political and offering a certain viewpoint. This is simply not true! Hatred, violence, racism, bigotry, sexism and similar “isms” are not political issues they are moral issues. The biblical witness is grounded in the moral understanding that every person, regardless of skin color, sex, economic status or any other label we might chose, is a child of God and of infinite and precious worth in the eyes of God. This the only moral drumbeat worthy of our allegiance. This requires we see one another not as “us and “them” but as simply “us”.

One of the many things I appreciate about my friend, Bob Flesch, are the pictures he posts on Facebook of the magnificent sunsets over the Gulf and Bay. I find these posts are always a gift and a reminder that God’s creation is filled with many different colors and together they are breathtakingly beautiful. God’s use of color is all through creation from sunsets to flowers to people. And when they are in harmony it is a beautiful sight to behold!

Racism, Sexism, Bigotry, Violence and Hatred only lead to suffering and we all have suffered (some of course as direct victims, more intensely and more obviously) too long from their poison. Its time to chart a new course that yields joy instead. Not a one of us can do it all, but each of us can begin to make a difference by choosing to follow the ways of our Lord to value and respect every person we encounter. We are all “us”. We have been called to nothing less.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/13/21

A Bittersweet Moment

The first person at Palmetto Presbyterian Church I met was Janet DeGroff. Janet invited me to come preach for two Sundays in February 2010. Since my very first Sunday after my call in May of 2010 Janet has been a faithful confidant, friend, and person I have grown to deeply love and respect. On more occasions than I can count we have teased one another, and our friendly banter almost always includes some joyous laughter. Many times, I have sought Janet’s wisdom, council and insight for virtually all aspects of the life of our church here in Palmetto. She has always been gracious and supportive.

As a pastor, I could ask for no better or more faithful church member. Janet’s impact on the life of this church and the greater Palmetto community is far reaching and powerful. She has been one of Anchor House’s most faithful Friday volunteers, she's been a faithful and loyal thrift store volunteer, served as our clerk of session for several years, helped with communion and kept the communion table candles filled with oil for Sunday services, been a key leader and member of the Presbyterian Women, and a tremendously loyal participant in our weekly Bible studies among other things. On several occasions during the summer months Janet and I we're the only two people in the Sunday morning Bible study. On these days I have fond memories of wonderful discussions, a good amount of laughter, and powerful times of reflection and sharing.

However, what I appreciate most about Janet is the depth of her faith and powerful commitment to prayer and her spiritual growth and life. Prayer is not an afterthought for Janet it is a first thought. Whenever faced with an important decision, Janet begins the process in deep reflective prayer. She does not make decisions quickly but rather listens for our Lord's leading when faced with important decisions. She takes to heart and lives by the reality of these words, “not my will but thy will be done”. Her resulting character and integrity are a model for us all.

Over the past months Janet and I have had conversations about where the Lord was leading her. After a several month process of prayer and reflection, Janet understood that leading to become a member of Palma Sola Presbyterian Church in Bradenton. I very much respect and support Janet’s decision and wish for her God’s very best in this next chapter of her journey of faith. I also know I will deeply miss seeing and interacting with her on the regular basis we have enjoyed over the last 12 years. And I am absolutely certain many, many of you will agree.

This, for me, is a bittersweet time. One thing I have learned over the last 45 years, is the ministry is filled with bittersweet moments. But I have also learned these bittersweet moments also hold the opportunity for wonderful personal and spiritual growth. I trust the same will be true for this one as well.

God’s speed, Janet my friend. And for all you have meant to this family of faith here in Palmetto, I say of behalf of us all, “Well done good and faithful servant!”.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 03/06/21

Which Would You Choose?

If you were given the choice between receiving $1,000,000 that would double at the end of 30 days or one penny that would double every day which would you choose? $1,000,000 doubled at the end of 30 days of course would be $2,000,000 and I suspect most folks we choose the $1,000,000 doubled. However, the one penny doubled every day would be a far better investment. At the end of 30 days that one penny doubled every day would total $5,328,709.12!

I share this because it illustrates two very important truths of personal and spiritual growth. The first of these is that effective and long-lasting change comes in small steps faithfully and continually carried on over a period of time. I recently read that walking 5 to 10 minutes an hour over a period of several different hours during the day is at least every bit as effective and perhaps more so than taking a single long extended walk once during the day.

Personal and spiritual growth are no different than physical health. I learned this lesson several years ago when I read a book, devoting 10 minutes a day to reading it. I found this far more beneficcial than blocking out a much longer period to sit down and read. My attention and focus was far better and I found myself paying far more attention to what the author was saying than trying to reach a certain end point of reading material. The same is true for reading the Bible. It is far better to read 5-10 verses each day, listening to and reflecting on what is being said that trying to read a whole chapter to get through it. Likewise, a simple heart-felt prayer of just a few words can be very powerful and help a person become ever more comfortable with prayer.

Behavioral scientists have known and taught for some time now that the best way to overcome a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit. Instead of trying to stop the bad one, focus attention on beginning a good one. Typically, it takes between 28 and 50 days to create a new good habit doing it each day. Think about this in terms of creating good habits (and virtues) like kindness, generosity, patience or forgiveness to name a few. Instead of trying to do it all at once start small and faithfully keep it up and over time you will be amazed at the changes that take place in your life.

The second important lesson is looking at life with the end in mind. It is not by accident the biblical story begins with the first creation in in Genesis (1&2) and ends with the second creation in Revelation (21 &22). Similarly, each of the gospels ends with Easter and the Resurrection. When we look at life from these vantage points, we get the big perspective and can embrace in faith the final outcome, regardless of our present situation. And we are much richer for it!

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 02/27/21

A Valuable Lesson Reinforced this Past Week!

Under most circumstances this past week would not be one I would have fond memories of and a true sense of joy as I recall it. You see last Saturday we discovered we had a leaking pipe, not just any leaking pipe, but one in the foundation slab for our home. My initial reaction was what you might expect – what a headache and probably an expensive one at that! But very quickly a quiet voice “whispered” in my heart: use this to think about all the things you take for granted every day that are really gifts and blessings.

My attitude and awareness changed as if someone had turned a light on in a dark room. To be sure there were (and still are) plenty of frustrating moments with this problem (its still not resolved but we have a clear course of action now). But instead of frustration and a sense of helplessness ruling my week I was able to focus much more on gratitude and the peace and joy it brings. What an incredible difference that has made! I know how powerful gratitude is - but I have to say, I am always amazed when I experience the incredible power of gratitude anew.

It began with taking some time to think of the many daily blessings it is so easy to take for granted such as water when I turn on a faucet, light when I flip a switch, TV when I press a button, books to read, family to share with, stores that carry food and supplies, people like plumbers who know what they are doing (unlike yours truly in this arena) and are willing to serve, just to name a very few.

Then I started to think about some of the blessings we have experienced as a church in the almost year-long venture into the virtual world such as our website, being able to reach people in far off places like Michigan and Canada that we otherwise not have reached, the choir members who come to sing week after week, Cathy Dekker leading the choir and Don Dekker working the sound board and doing a million and one little things that have a impact every Tuesday, Karen Euga and Kay Horning and Linda Maulding roving accompaniment, Steve Braginton faithfully videotaping each week (even last week when he was having a reaction to his 2nd vaccination shot), and Barbara Harrell who makes each weekly service  a reality on Sunday mornings and has done so much for our website, zoom meetings and bible studies that allow us to connect with each other in new ways that are no longer limited by location, and the opportunities we will continue to have when we once again can gather.

And there are more such as the thrift store workers who have been faithfully at work for many months as well as these recent open public days, and the church staff I have the pleasure of working with, Jeff, Joan, Lorna, Cathy, Karen and John Costello.

On Friday we called our granddaughter Emma in Houston to wish her a happy 8th birthday. The once little girl is becoming a much bigger girl! I couldn’t help but remember my own 8th birthday. I was given a 3 speed “English” bike as we referred to it back then. This bike launched a new experience of freedom (to say nothing about a much easier ride up our hill in low gear). My best friend and later best man, Jack Klein and I went on many adventures together on our bikes. Those memories filled my spirit with a richness of gratitude that culminated in a laugh fill-ed, memory rich phone called our son, Kevin.

This week began with the gift of Bob Flesch’s moon-lit picture of the bay from his Cortez location. Gratitude is indeed the gift that keeps on giving.

Grace and Peace, John

Notes and News – 02/20/21

The Purpose of Lent!

Some of my 5th grade classmates asked me the question: “What was I going to give up for Lent?”. At home I could hardly wait to ask my dad, “What are you giving up for Lent?”. Without any hesitation he replied “watermelons”. I said, “But you don’t even like watermelons!” He responded, “You’re right I don’t. A long time ago I learned the purpose of Lent is to grow closer to God. I would rather focus on that.”

The older I get, the more I appreciate his response. Lent is a time to take a deep and probing inventory of our lives: our behaviors, our attitudes, our beliefs, our thoughts and our deeply held feelings. It is a time to examine how we treat ourselves (especially the “hidden” part that is different from the persona we present to others), and how we interact with others and God. Lent calls us to a time of reflection and entrusting our findings to God.

This year, Lent is different from any we have likely ever experienced. For the better part of a year, we have given up a great deal in the face of this pandemic: loved ones, times with family and friends, worship and fellowship, and more. Some have been forced to give up jobs. The list could easily go on. Perhaps this year for Lent we might try something different.

Let me suggest a new tradition for Lent (and beyond). What if we made a commitment to let something(s) go. After all the saying is, “Let go and Let God!” And the best way I know to let go of anything, is to offer it to God.

Each of us must take our own inventory - make our own list of things to let go of. Of course, before we can let go of anything, we must first acknowledge we are holding on to it. This is absolutely critical and essential. It is also what opens the door for us to experience grace, forgiveness, joy, freedom, new energy and more as we let go and humbly offer our finding(s) to God.

I offer the following as a list of tried and true areas that can lead to growing closer to God:

Emotional hurts (old and/or new); Fears(not being good enough, acceptable, situations, etc); Grudges, Bitterness, Resentments, Prejudices, Hatred, Judgements (of ourselves and/or others), Negative Emotions (those that bring stress and anxiety to our lives such as anger, frustration, unworthiness, shame, guilt, etc. - it is very important to remember before we can let go of negative emotions we must acknowledge and accept we have them); haunting and destructive memories; and bad habits.

A question for reflection that can help us discover these is: What part of me do I keep hidden from others (and maybe even myself)? The healing power of God’s grace is on the other side of our answer and acceptance of these.

I am convinced that it is when we intentionally let go, we grow closer to God. I hope you will experience the truth of this as well.

Grace and Peace, John