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May 20, 2020

A Note From Your Pastor

We are in the midst of a global pandemic, travel is at a standstill, the economy is struggling, and we face a big election this November, yet in the middle of it all, I found myself standing outside with my son & my neighbor staring at a newly hatched bird, hoping for it to fly.

This was the culmination of a rescue mission we had been on the previous 10 minutes. It began as my neighbor called out to me from her yard, precariously standing atop her ladder, & asking for me to get her a pair of scissors. As we returned with the scissors, I could see that she was reaching up towards her gutters, but she was working with a messy bird's nest perched on her downspout. After a snip or two, I could see that she actually had a young bird in her hand--a baby robin.

The tiny bird had tangled its leg with a thin wire within the nest, and had ended up hanging upsidedown. My neighbor was able to cut and untangle the wire. Now free, she placed the bird in the nest before it fumbled its way to the ground while desperately flapping its wings. The bird moved to safety & was met by its parents, but we stood there dumbfounded. What should we do? Who should we call?

We laughed as we realized the miniscule event we were participating in while in the midst of a global pandemic. The truth is that we couldn't think of anyone to call. Nobody would be interested in this matter at this time, or any time! It's just a bird.

----

It's easy to feel that way sometimes about our own problems, our own lives, and our circumstances. It sometimes feels like everyone else has flown from the nest and there we are, hanging upsidedown. How did I get here? Who can I call? Who would care about my predicament? My problem is too embarassing, or too small, or even when I receive help I just end up flightless on the ground. Who cares?

The Bible tells us that God cares intimately about our lives. He is our Creator, our Sustainer, and truly KNOWS you! The Bible describes him as a Father. A Good Father. A Good Father who knew us & loved us even before we were born. A Father who will heed our call whenever we cry out, for whom no problem is too small or too insignificant to devote himself. We are His & He loves us.

Hanging upsidedown in the midst of a pandemic? There is good news.

"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." Ps. 139:13

[Jesus said] "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Mt. 10:29-31

Even in the midst of a pandemic, God is Immanuel (God with us), He's not too busy to hear, to rescue, to dwell with you. Let's cry out ot God, rely on Him, find our worth in Him, & get turned rightside up.

Scripture Memory Verse

May 2020
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 ESV

Announcements!

COVID-19 & Phase I Opening

We are opening....but not yet.

You have probably heard that churches are permitted to once again resume operations and gather together under Governor Baker's Phase 1 for re-opening of the state. Though we are delighted to learn of this, and long to be together, we also want to be cautious and dilligent in keeping our congregation safe. Therefore, we are compling procedures & precautions to meet & exceed the State & CDC requirements for reopening.

That being said, this freedom should be utilized wisely. As Paul wrote

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Cor. 10:23-24

Just because we can open, doesn't necessarily mean that we should open. Though we are eager to gather again, we have chosen not to open immediately, but we will open at a date in the future once we are assured that we can protect our church (you) as best as possible under these circumstances.

We do not live in fear, but we want to love our neighbor as best we can--which means keeping them safe. We will continue to worship together through online services, pray together over Zoom, serve the community through our food pantry, and encourage growth with one another. The Church has not shut down, not even for a second, even though our building's doors have been closed. Christ lives in us & is building us (His Church) into a spiritual house, a holy temple, a place in which God may dwell and be made manifest on Earth. So, until we physically gather together soon, continue to Be The Church.

WHAT
Beginning this week, we are going to have opportunities to pray together online via Zoom. We will reinstate our regular Sunday Morning Prayer from 9:30-10:00 AM. We will also have our prayer gathering next Wednesday May 13th to pray. Please plan to join us!

WHEN
Every Sunday - Sunday Morning Prayer - 9:30-10:00 AM
May 27 - Prayer Gathering 7PM

WHERE?
Faith Church's Personal Meeting Room - Click Here to Enter

Meeting ID: 221 622 9863

HOW? 3 ways

1. Web : Join by clicking above or using this website https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2216229863
2. Phone : Dial (929) 205-6099 & then enter Meeting ID: 221 622 9863
3. One tap mobile : +19292056099,,2216229863#

Questions?
Email FaithChurch@FaithChurchAC.org or contact the pastors.

VBS Volunteers Wanted!
The Christian Education Committee is making plans for Vacation Bible School this summer. A tentative date is scheduled for August 3-7 in the evenings. If you are interested in helping please contact Eleanor Jones or the church office faithchurch@faithchurchac.org
This year's theme is Jungle Safari : Exploring the Nature of God.

Are you or someone you know in need of food assistance during this time? A Servant's Heart Food Pantry will be OPEN Friday 10-11:30 AM. Bags will be prepared for patrons to take and go--limiting exposure to spread any virus for all involved.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION on Facebook! Since we can't meet in person, it is sometimes hard for us to feel like the family of God. So we created a couple of pages on our church Facebook page. We'd like to start a conversation and be in touch throughout the week in order to ENCOURAGE, PRAY, & BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP. This page is private & is for those connected to Faith Evangelical Church in order to continue to be the body of Christ during these strange times!

Finance Update
Thank you for your faithfulness in giving even in these trying times. We trust that God will provide for our needs individually and as a church family as we trust in Him and seek Him first. Even though we are unable to gather, please consider using the online giving portal for your tithes and offerings for this week Click here for the Giving link.
You can also mail your gifts to Faith Church 200 Franklin St. Melrose MA. Or come by the church building and drop it in the mail slot. Checks are still being processed and deposited on a weekly basis. We thank you for your faithfulness & trust in the Lord.

We will be using Zoom app and website for our gatherings. You can download the app or sign up here. https://zoom.us/

Sunday Morning Prayer via Zoom : May 24 - 9:30 AM
Prayer Gathering : May 27
Pentecost Sunday : May 31
Men's Group : June 3
Prayer Gathering : June 10

We believe in the power of prayer. We pray to a loving & all-powerful God for whom nothing is impossible. We put our trust and hope in him and we lift up the following requests to Him.

Pray for Kathy Baker for her job situation, that it may not be in jeopardy due to COVID-19, but that she may keep her employment.
Praying for the family of AC Pastor Bill Chadwick and Stroudwater Christian Church as they mourn his tragic loss
Pray for George Peabody for healing & strength with his heart
Pray for Joan Dean who is undergoing chemotherapy in her fight against cancer.
Pray for all those mourning : the families of BeverlyYngve, Ruth Crivello, David MacGibbon, Jones family, Knapp family.
Pray for Denise Martone as she recovers from fighting cancer.
Pray for Carolyn Smith and her ongoing health needs.
COVID-19 - Pray for our leaders who need to make difficult decisions, those who are negatively impacted healthwise or financially. We pray also for the safety of the many essential workers.
Mental Health - Pray for those struggling during this difficult season as it only tends to exacerbate mental health conditions.
The Lost - All around us there are those who don't know Christ as Lord and Savior. Please pray we can have an impact on these people and that the Lord would use us to reach them.
Our Church - Pray for God to still be at work & growing in us, even as we cannot meet together. May we continue to seek his face & long to walk more in step with God's Spirit.
Our World - India : This week we pray for God's work in Eastern India through the Emmanuel's School and Children's Home led by Mrs. Roselle Monsang. We pray that God would grant them wisdom, courage, and opportunity to shine the light of Christ to the many unreached peoples in Manipur State. In Manipur State, 41% of residents are Christian due to the arrival of missionaries in the 19th Century. May God continue to work in the hearts & minds of the people of India.

Pray with us by picking up your copy of the 2020 Prayer Guide at the back of the sanctuary.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

Ministries

Men's Group

The men of Faith Church gather each month on the 1st Wednesday of the Month for an opportunity to be in conversation, in the Word, and in prayer. All men are invited to join us on the first Wednesday of the month as we ground ourselves in the Word and commit ourselves to growing in godliness. Lord willing, we'll meet digitally by Zoom June 3 to continue to look at the life of Jaocb and his family in Genesis 30.

Mom's Together
Our Moms Together ministry continues with a monthly daytime playdate for moms and their children that will meet on the second Tuesday of the month at the church. This is open to any moms who can make it, so feel free to invite a friend! There is also a Facebook group where more details are announced about each gathering. If you have any questions, or to find out the details of the next playdate, please speak to Jenn Szafir.

♪ Featured Song ♫

Blessed Assurance - The Vagle Brothers

Online Giving

We now offer a fully secure online giving platform (called Aplos) that allows anyone the opportunity to make a one-time donation or to setup recurring donations on a monthly or weekly basis (either via ACH/bank account payment or via debit/credit card).
To access the online giving portal click here or on the photo above.

Faith Church exists to worship God, show His love to others and to develop dedicated followers of Jesus Christ, beginning in the community of Melrose.