"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God's holy name.” Psalm 103: 1
Friends, the psalm above is the inspiration for one of my favorite modern worship songs, “10,000 Reasons.” If you don’t know it, you can listen to one of the many versions of this song on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you stream music. Here are the verses:
The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Psalm 103 and this song both remind me of the first question of the Westminster Catechism that I had to memorize in 4th grade: “What is the chief end of humankind? Humankind’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy God forever.” We are created to glorify our Creator, and are meant to enjoy God - to sing God’s praises with our lips and our lives. This looks different from lip to lip and life to life, but our purpose is the same, despite our differences. We bring glory to God when we live our best lives (and I imagine even our okayest lives with heartfelt intentions). We bring glory to God when we seek to be about the things God has called us to be about - justice, compassion, mercy, equity. We bring glory to God when we participate in the mission, the passion, the vocation to which God has called us and for which God has gifted us. Even now, 6 months into this pandemic that has altered our individual, communal, and global ways of life, we are called to glorify God, to seek out “ten thousand reasons” to praise God, to remember as the psalmist writes, "the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting” (103:17). My hope and prayer for you this week is that you may feel the gift of God’s love, and that you might consider how you bring glory to God in your daily life - and how we as a congregation are bringing glory to God these days - even in the midst of these trying and painful circumstances. I’d love to hear from you - drop me a line at katie@pleasanthillpc.org or call me at 904.635.0990. As always, I hope to serve you the best I can, so if there’s anything you need, or if there’s someone in need of a call from me, please let me know.
Peace,
Pastor Katie Day
Notice of Upcoming Special Events and other news:
Men's Breakfast: TODAY, Friday, September 11
The Men's group will have its monthly virtual breakfast this morning: Friday, September 11th. We'll meet via Zoom for some fellowship, a breakfast of your choice (since you'll be making it at home!), and a devotion. We'll start at 7:30 am and end between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Hope you can make it!
PHPC Men's Breakfast Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88560090097?pwd=d0NIbTBPYUZYd2x2b2l6aStVbjdsQT09 Meeting ID: 885 6009 0097 Passcode: 922079 One tap mobile:
+19292056099,,88560090097#,,,,,,0#,,922079# US (New York)
+13017158592,,88560090097#,,,,,,0#,,922079# US (Germantown) Dial by your location:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 885 6009 0097 Passcode: 922079
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kQxXvN91V
Fall Church School Starts on Sunday
Preschool and Elementary School families were sent details of this year's plans for church school from Pastor Jennie by mail. The same calendar and lesson plans can be found here. Teachers and students will Zoom on the second Sunday of each month to connect, play, and pray together. Zoom details of our first virtual class this Sunday at 10:00 am: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89154280568?pwd=R0IvYnpCRVRrQlk4UmNycFZ2NXlhUT09
Meeting ID: 891 5428 0568 Passcode: 524074
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89154280568#,,,,,,0#,,524074# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,89154280568#,,,,,,0#,,524074# US (New York) All other weeks, you're invited to explore our virtual church school classroom to find the week's Bible story video and activities. You can find this classroom and zoom link at www.pleasanthillpc.org/churchschool, where you'll enter the password phpckids.
Youth Ministry Kick-Off: Sunday, September 13
All our Middle School and High School youth are reminded to join Rev. Jennie and the Youth Ministry advisors this Sunday at 5:30 for a virtual Kick-off via Zoom. Have the items from your bubble mailer Kick-off Kit with you as we reconnect, try out the new small group format, and celebrate the start of a new youth year.
Mark your calendars for another round of fun trivia. Our next Trivia Night will be on Friday, September 25 at 8 pm. You can play as a family or you can be assigned to a team at the onset of the game.
Need to come to the church building? Wear your mask!
For the safety of our staff who need to do essential work onsite at PHPC’s campus, please plan to wear a mask if you need to come inside the building while someone else is there. A sign is posted on the door to remind you, and there is a basket of disposable masks inside the lobby if you forgot your own. Thank you for your courtesy!
Friendship Pad
Just a reminder to please use the online Friendship Pad on our website to record your attendance at worship, no matter what time or day you watch the service. We'd love to know you are worshiping with us.
Schedule of PHPC events and connection opportunities this weekend and through next week:
SUNDAY, September 13 at 11:00 am: Virtual Worship Service
All are welcome to participate in our worship service at 11 am.
Join us virtually via the PHPC online worship page: https://www.pleasanthillpc.org/phpc-live/ (Please remember to sign the new online Friendship Pad before or after the service.)
SUNDAY, September 13 at 12:30 pm: Dining and Digging Deeper The after-service “Dining and Digging Deeper” Zoom call returns this Sunday, September 13 from 12:30-1:30 pm. After listening to the sermon, what observations do you have? What questions bubbled up? What is the personal takeaway for you and your life after Sunday’s service? Join our pastors as you eat your lunch for a time of dining and digging deeper.
Zoom Meeting Details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89349923790?pwd=czN2WWcweGF4ejZFZ043QzhnZHBzZz09 Meeting ID: 893 4992 3790
Password: 821526
One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,89349923790#,,,,0#,,821526# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,89349923790#,,,,0#,,821526# US (Chicago)
Or Dial:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 893 4992 3790
Password: 821526
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k36Qrn4LV
(You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch. Follow the link and find the post on the page. Please note you may need to refresh the page until the post shows up.)
Adult Church School Classes Offered
Our adult church school classes are ongoing. If you’re looking for a way to learn and grow in faith, check out the class descriptions and contact information on our website. All three meet virtually on Sunday mornings from 9:40-10:40 am.
