Sunday, May 3

Good morning church,

For the eighth Sunday in a row I am sending you the words of our virtual church service so you can follow us from home. The pre-recorded service will be posted at 9:00 a.m. this morning on our website and Facebook page. It is another beautiful collaboration of various church members, including the Flanagan family trio, the Karin Clark one-woman-show on the bell tree, the virtual jazz room, the Shaffer family, Mia and her son Phoenix, as well as the people you see every week… Enjoy!  

This Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday, and it makes me think of all the shepherds and caretakers during these times, especially those who serve in hospitals and Nursing Homes, and most especially those who minister to the sick and dying on designated COVID floors in our area hospitals. The stress on them has been enormous. I am thinking of all the shepherds who work for our educational institutions trying to educate their “flock” with less than ideal tools, especially the many teachers of young elementary students and kindergarten.  I am thinking of the young parents juggling work and child-care. We have so many good shepherds in our community, but today’s focus is on THE GOOD SHEPHERD,” the one who died and rose for us, who breaks through our quarantine doors and brings us peace that transcends understanding. What good is a “GOOD SHEPHERD” if he (she) doesn’t lead and  guide us through a crisis? So let us listen this morning, let us take in words, wisdom, guidance and insight from scripture!

Thank you for sending me many more Mother’s Day pictures yesterday.  Some of them are even “era” photos and great fun to look at. Keep them coming throughout the week and we will make a beautiful picture show for next Sunday, Mother’s Day.

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. we will join communities across the state of Pennsylvania to salute and bless our first responders, nurses, doctors and all who work on the frontlines of fighting the pandemic. Church bells and fire sirens will join in a sound of thanksgiving across the commonwealth. And St. Peter’s old bell will join the music. I hope the fire hall down the street doesn’t drown us out.

I would like to thank you again for your wonderful support in the month of April, allowing us to close the deficit incurred in late March at the beginning of this quarantine time. Please continue your offering support, it is crucial. (This is my once-a-week Sunday reminder…) Many of you are sending in the good old envelopes. But this online button also works and has seen an increase in use. Thank you all!!!

Finally, I’d like to see you later this morning at our Zoom Church Gathering at 11:00 a.m. I’d like to talk about “Virtual Holy Communion” for next Sunday and possible re-opening scenarios.  I also really, really would like to see you. Join us at 11:00 a.m.!

Be safe and be well!

Pastor Andreas Wagner