Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, I had an enjoyable evening with the deacons. We shared pizza and conversation, and then I offered a devotion based on Psalm 6, which my prayer book appointed for evening prayer.

Psalm 6 is hardly anyone's favorite psalm. Among its lines, it prays:

"Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;

O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.

My soul also is struck with terror,

while you, O Lord-how long?"

I swallowed my last bite of pizza and nearly went to Plan B, which would have been an off-the-cuff reflection on one of Paul's justification by grace passages, illustrated by my knee jerk defensiveness to my dog receiving a less-than-perfect report card from his boarding facility.

But I stuck with Psalm 6, saying, "You are deacons. You understand that we can be honest with God about life's problems and imperfections." We'll see if they invite me to lead devotions again.

I am grateful that WPC's office was closed for Juneteeth, which celebrates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Alas, I didn't grow up with this holiday that remembers the proclamation of emancipation to the nation's last enslaved people, in Galveston, TX, on June 19,1865. It is good to be able to say, we live in a nation that once enslaved human beings, but we now repent toward justice.

One of the remarkable aspects of the Bible is the terror of some of its stories. Terrible things done to God's people and by God's people. Even some horrifying things ascribed to God. The Psalms don't whitewash prayer. The Bible lets show the stains in human history.

This is some of the gift of life with a God who deals with us by grace. We don't have to insist on our own purity or pretend our lives are entirely just. We may be honest about who we've been and let God direct who we shall be.

A word for people who live such a life together is "church."

Blessed to be church with you,

Matt

This Sunday

This Sunday at noon, we'll host a special worship service for our entire Presbytery! Join us in welcoming Presbyterian churches from all over Central Ohio for a special service of 'A Light to the Nations'. It will be followed by an international potluck. Everyone is welcome to attend! View bulletin | View brochure

Opportunities

Meet with Pastor Matt in a Small Group!

Get to know our new Senior Pastor in a relaxed, small group setting. Click the button below to access the sign up sheet to see available dates.

Select "Group Member" to participate or "Host" if you'd like to host a group at your home (groups without hosts will meet at the church). Let's take this opportunity to build meaningful connections! If you have questions or need assistance signing up, please contact the church office.

Already in a Group? Email Joan Patton with your group's schedule and details.

Drop off Sack Lunches for the Homeless

We're the only church providing lunches for the Open Shelter on the 4th Sunday of the month - thank you for making it count! You can drop off lunches from 8-10AM this Sunday in the Kitchen.

Dinner Donations for the Y Family Center

We could still use a few food items for Monday's dinner at the Y Family Center. See what the team still needs by clicking HERE.

Donate Supplies for NNEMAP

The pantry urgently needs sugar, coffee, salt, plus large diapers and pet food. Donations go in the wooden bin in Fellowship Hall. Our supply breakdown will take place next Sunday, June 29. Join us in Fellowship Hall after the 10am service. All ages are welcome!

Next Sunday

Youth Mission Sunday

The High School S'MOREs (Summer Mission OutReach Experience) team returned from New Orleans this week. The team will lead worship during both services next Sunday, and we will learn about their service experience.

Summer Bible Study!

Starting June 29 at 9AM in Room 222 and on Zoom-- we'll be learning about Paul's Letter to the Philippians, looking at what was typical of letters in the Apostle Paul's day and how Paul adapted them for his ministry. We'll see why this extraordinary Biblical book is called "The Letter of Joy." Led by Pastor Tom--all are welcome!

Coming in July

Join us for a festive evening at Mirolo Pavilion on July 17! We will provide the hot dogs, and we invite you to bring something to share, like bottled water, a side dish or dessert. Please RSVP!

Prayers

Click the button below to see this week's prayer requests and celebrations.

Wall Progress