WWW.BROOKINGSUCC.ORG buccfi[email protected]605 697 2882 Email: buccfin- [email protected]Office Phone: 605-697-2882 Issue April 2020 828 8th Street South Brookings, SD 57006 Brookingsucc.org 605.697.2882 828 8th St. South Brookings, SD Issue 4 Continuing Our Journey April Fool’s Day is an annual custom on April 1, consisng of praccal jokes and hoaxes. The player of the joke or hoax oſten exposes their acon by shoung “April Fools” at the recipient. The recipients of these acons are called April fools. Although no Biblical scholar or historian is known to have menoned a relaonship, some have expressed belief that the origins of April Fool’s Day may go back to the Genesis flood narrave. In a 1908 edion of the Harper’s Weekly cartoonist Bertha R. McDonald wrote: “Authories gravely back with it to the me of Noah and the ark. The London Public Adverser of March 13, 1769, printed: “The mistake of Noah sending the dove out of the ark before the water had abated, on the first day of April, and to perpetuate the memory of this deliverance it was thought proper, whoever forgot so remarkable a circumstance, to punish them by sending them upon some sleeveless errand similar to that ineffectual message which the bird was sent by the patriarch.” Whether or not April Fool’s Day can be traced back to Noah, the majority of us long for March to end and someone to announce on April 1 st that the passing weeks have been one cruel joke and the joke is over. That social distancing is no more! Businesses will open and empty school buildings will welcome missed students! Congregaons will gather and joyfully worship with hearts of gratude! Words like “quaranne” and “unprecedented” will be wiped from our memories! Yet we know all too well now that Covid 19 is not an April Fool’s joke and that on April 2 life as usual will not go back to the way it once was as we are living in unprecedented mes. What that does mean for the Church? For followers of Jesus? These Lenten days have been filled with solitude, anxiety, and prayer. As followers of the Risen One we take comfort in the knowledge we are not alone. We paently wait these days out just as Jesus did in the wilder- ness and together we seek guidance in how this me can change us and deepen our relaon- ship with ourselves, with our family and with God. The what-ifs connue to overwhelm and heighten our anxiety. What if there isn’t worship dur- ing Holy Week? What if there isn’t church on Easter? When will our lives go back to normal? I recently read an excellent arcle where the author reminded his readers that Easter is on a different day every year and as resurrecon people we can celebrate the joy of that day when- ever we choose! May that knowledge fill us with expectant hope. Let us then use these unprecedented days as me for personal renewal as we await the glorious day when we shall be reunited and together liſt our voices in song and praise. WORSHIP NOTICES The church council has voted to suspend worship for the me being and will be com- municang via email with regular updates as the situaon unfolds. Weekly sermons will be posted on our website.
April Fool’s Day is an annual custom on April 1, consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. The player of the joke or hoax often exposes their action by shouting “April Fools” at the recipient. The recipients of these actions are called April fools.
Although no Biblical scholar or historian is known to have mentioned a relationship, some have expressed belief that the origins of April Fool’s Day may go back to the Genesis flood narrative. In a 1908 edition of the Harper’s Weekly cartoonist Bertha R. McDonald wrote: “Authorities gravely back with it to the time of Noah and the ark. The London Public Advertiser of March 13, 1769, printed: “The mistake of Noah sending the dove out of the ark before the water had abated, on the first day of April, and to perpetuate the memory of this deliverance it was thought proper, whoever forgot so remarkable a circumstance, to punish them by sending them upon some sleeveless errand similar to that ineffectual message which the bird was sent by the patriarch.”
Whether or not April Fool’s Day can be traced back to Noah, the majority of us long for March to end and someone to announce on April 1st that the passing weeks have been one cruel joke and the joke is over. That social distancing is no more! Businesses will open and empty school buildings will welcome missed students! Congregations will gather and joyfully worship with hearts of gratitude! Words like “quarantine” and “unprecedented” will be wiped from our memories!
Yet we know all too well now that Covid 19 is not an April Fool’s joke and that on April 2 life as usual will not go back to the way it once was as we are living in unprecedented times.
What that does mean for the Church? For followers of Jesus? These Lenten days have been filled with solitude, anxiety, and prayer. As followers of the Risen One we take comfort in the knowledge we are not alone. We patiently wait these days out just as Jesus did in the wilder-ness and together we seek guidance in how this time can change us and deepen our relation-ship with ourselves, with our family and with God.
The what-ifs continue to overwhelm and heighten our anxiety. What if there isn’t worship dur-ing Holy Week? What if there isn’t church on Easter? When will our lives go back to normal?
I recently read an excellent article where the author reminded his readers that Easter is on a different day every year and as resurrection people we can celebrate the joy of that day when-ever we choose! May that knowledge fill us with expectant hope.
Let us then use these unprecedented days as time for personal renewal as we await the glorious day when we shall be reunited and together lift our voices in song and praise.
WORSHIP NOTICES
The church council has voted to suspend worship for the time being and will be com-municating via email with regular updates as the situation unfolds. Weekly sermons will be posted on our website.
BUCC INCOME & EXPENSE MARCH 2020
SERMON MARCH 29 LIKE MANY OF YOU, MY VOCABULARY IS BECOMING TOO FAMILIAR WITH WORDS LIKE: SHELTER IN PLACE; QUARANTINE; SOCIAL DISTANCING; PANDEMIC; UNPRECEDENT-ED TIME, SHUT-DOWN, RECESSION, CORVID 19, CORONIA VIRUS. THE STREETS ARE OMINOUSLY QUIET AS THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE CASES GROWS DAILY. DOCTORS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE BEING FORCED TO MAKE HORRIFIC DECISIONS ABOUT WHO WILL RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE, AND WHO WILL DIE. PEOPLE ARE BEING LAID OFF, OTHERS FACE ILLNESS WITHOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE, MANY WATCH HELPLESSLY AS THEIR SAVINGS DRAIN AWAY, AND TOO MANY MOURN THEIR DEAD WITH-OUT THE DIGNITY OF A FUNERAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE RIGHT AWAY. HERE WE ARE IN CRISIS, WATCHING THE WORLD TURN AND SPIN IN WAYS MOST OF US HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. FEELS LIKE WE’RE LIVING IN A VALLEY OF DRY BONES….A LIFELESS TIME OF LONELINESS AND FEAR. DRIED BONES, A VALLEY OF DEATH—THAT IMAGE IS WHAT EZEKIEL USED TO DESCRIBE THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, A PEOPLE LIVING IN FEAR AS THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY DEATH. DEATH WHICH HAD SHATTERED THEIR HOPE. THE STORY IS AN EXTENDED METAPHOR: THE BONES ARE IN FACT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE DEJECTED AND DEFEATED EXILES. THEY CRY, “OUR BONES ARE DRIED UP, AND OUR HOPE IS LOST; WE ARE CUT OFF COMPLETELY.” EZEKIEL WAS WITNESS TO THE SLOW DISSOLUTION OF HIS HOME. THE DISSOLUTION OF LIFE AS HE ONCE KNEW IT. SOUND FAMILIAR? I CAN’T COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I’VE HEARD COMMENTATORS SAY LIFE HAS WE ONCE KNEW IT HAS CHANGED. AND SO WE, WITH THE PROPHET, CRY OUT, “OUR BONES ARE DRIED UP, AND OUR HOPE IS LOST; WE ARE CUT OFF COMPLETELY.” THE SHOCK OF THE SITUATION HAS LED THE PEOPLE TO ABSOLUTE DESPAIR AND HOPELESSNESS. THE DRYNESS OF THE BONES EMPHASISES THE DESOLATION AND THE MIRACLE WHICH WILL BE BROUGHT BY GOD IN BRINGING LIFE TO GOD’S PEOPLE. THIS PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN FEELING DESERTED BY GOD, WITH NO HOPE FOR THE FUTURE ARE BEING REASSURED THAT GOD WILL BRING RESTORATION. WHATEVER IMAGE FLOATS TO MIND, IT IS HORRENDOUS. MUCH LIKE THE NEWS WE TURN ON TO CATCH THE LATEST NUMBERS. AND THEN THE SPIRIT ASKS AN ASTONISHING QUESTION: “MORTAL, CAN THESE BONES LIVE? IF I JOIN THE PROPHET IN HIS LOATHSOME VALLEY, I KNOW WHAT MY AN-SWER WOULD BE: “ARE YOU KIDDING? DRY BONES ARE JUST THAT, DRY AND DEAD.” EZEKIEL IS MORE ASTOUT, AS HE ANSWERS: “GOD, YOU KNOW.” I SUPPOSE THAT IS ALWAYS THE SAFE RESPONSE WHENEVER GOD ASKS SOMETHING OF US. LIKE CHIL-DREN DURING A CHILDREN’S SERMON WHEN ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT ANYTHING, ANSWER “JESUS.” YET GOD IS HAVING NOTHING OF EZEKIEL’S PASSING THE BUCK. YOU SAY TO THE BONES…..DRY BONES, HEAR THE WORD OF GOD! YET THE STORY OF LENT, AS WE JOURNEY WITH JESUS TO JERUSALEM AND HIS PASSION, IS ESSENTIALLY FORWARD LOOKING. THERE IS DIRECTION TO THE STORY. SOME-THING CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IN THIS TIME AS I WOULD ASSUME NONE OF US HAVE EVER TRAVELED A LENTEN JOURNEY LIKE THE ONE WE ARE ON. WE DO NOT ALWAYS LIVE IN THE LAND OF RESURRECTION BUT IN THESE PLACES OF DRY BONES.
AND TODAY, WE THE CHURCH, TELLS THIS STORY BECAUSE WE HAVE FELT GOD’S PRESENCE. AS A PEOPLE WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR OWN EYES AND KNOWN IN OUR LIVES THAT GOD IS A GOD OF DELIVERANCE. GOD’S WORK DOES NOT STOP WHEN HUMANS ARE DOING THEIR VERY BEST AND YET DEATH CONTINUES.
GOD’S WORK DOES NOT STOP WHEN ANXIETY GRIPS PEOPLE’S HEARTS. EZEKIEL’S VISION IS GIVEN FOR A PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST HEART, WHO ARE SUFFERING A DEATH OF THE SPIRIT, A LIVING DEATH IN EXILE IN THEIR OWN HOMES. EZEKIEL WITNESSES THE SOUL OF HIS PEOPLE GRADUALLY WITHER AND DIE, BECOMING AS LIFELESS AS A VALLEY OF DRY BONES. AGAIN, GOD ASKS, CAN THESE BONES LIVE? THIS VISION IS HELD UP AGAIN TODAY, WHEN SO MANY ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR OWN VALLEY OF DRY BONES. TODAY WE HEAR A PROMISE ONLY GOD CAN GIVE. GOD TELLS THE PROPHET TO SPEAK TO THE BONES, SAYING: THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD: I WILL CAUSE BREATH TO EN-TER YOU AND YOU SHALL LIVE. GOD CALLS THE BREATH TO COME FROM THE FOUR WINDS AND BREATHE UPON THE SLAIN. SO IT HAPPENS. THIS BREATH IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THE LIFE GIVING SPIRIT. THIS BREATH MOVES THROUGH THE WORLD, RAISING PEOPLE INTO NEW LIFE WHEN ALL THE ODDS ARE AGAINST IT. WE NEED TO HEAR THE VISION OF EZEKIEL IN THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES BECAUSE WE’RE LIVING IN THAT VALLEY. IT IS A SCENE MEANT TO LIVE IN THE IMAGNIATION AND THE HEART, WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES GASPING FOR BREATH, STRUGGLING TO STAY HOPE-FILLED RATHER THAN FEAR-FILLED. WE LIVE NOW…TODAY..IN POWER AND PRESENCE OF THAT SAME SPIRIT GIVEN BY GOD AND POURED INTO OUR HEARTS. WHO IS GOD TELLING TO PREACH TO ALL THE DRY BONES? IF NOT THE CHURCH, THEN WHO? WHO WILL SHARE WORDS OF HOPE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED TODAY? WHAT WORDS DO WE NEED TO SHARE? WHAT WORDS DO WE NEED TO HEAR? HOW DO WE OPEN OURSELVES UP TO THAT LIVING BREATH OF THE SPIRIT? CAN WE ENVI-SION OUR SPIRITUAL BONES WITH NEW FLESH…EVEN AMIDST THESE UNPRECENDENTED TIMES? ONLY WHEN WE RECOGNIZE OUR OWN SPIRITUAL DRYNESS CAN WE POSSIBLY BEGIN TO CLING TO THE GREATNESS OF GOD. IT IS OFTEN ONLY AT OUR LOW POINTS….THOSE VALLEYS…WHEN THE ECONOMY TANKS, WHEN FEAR ABOUNDS, WHEN THE MONEY RUNS OUT, THAT WE FEEL THE PRESENCE AND HEAR THE VOICE WITH-IN TELLING US THAT THERE IS MORE IN US THAN THESE THINGS, THAT THERE IS ENOUGH WITHIN US TO RISE UP. CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, SAYING: “YOU SAY TO THESE BONES….LIVE—RISE UP! THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL ENTITLED ‘DESE BONES GOIN RISE AGAIN’ HAS THE REFRAIN “I KNOW IT, DEED I KNOW IT, DESE BONES GONIN RISE AGAIN. AS I WATCHED THE NEWS THIS PAST WEEK I WAS MOVED, INSPIRED AND EMPOWERED BY A VIDEO THE NBC MORNING SHOW CREATED. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO LOOK AT IT. YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE BY SEARCHING “RISE UP NBC TODAY SHOW’ THERE YOU WILL FIND A COMPOLATION OF SCENES FROM AROUND THE WORLD OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT RISING UP. THE VIDEO IS SET TO THE SONG RISE UP BY ANDREA DAY…. ‘WHEN THE SILENCE ISN’T QUIET, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT’S GETTING HARD TO BREATHE, AND I KNOW YOU FEEL LIKE DYING, BUT I PROMISE WE’LL TAKE THE WORLD TO ITS FEET, AND MOVE MOUNTAINS, WE’LL TAKE IT TO ITS FEET AND MOVE MOUNTAINS, AND I’LL RISE UP, I’LL RISE LIKE THE DAY, I’LL RISE UNAFRAID/ I’LL RISE UP AND I’LL DO IT A THOUSAND TIMES AGAIN, AND I’LL RISE UP HIGH LIKE THE WAVES, I’LL RISE UP IN SPITE OF THE ACHE, I’LL RISE UP AND I’LL DO IT A THOUSAND TIMES AGAIN, FOR YOU… FOR YOU.. GOD’S CHALLENGE IS NO DIFFERENT….SO MAY WE HEAR IN THE SILENCE OF OUR HEARTS…. YOU SAY TO THESE DRY BONES…..RISE UP. MAY IT BE SO. AMEN.
TOTAL
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
49500 · Tithes/Offerings 5,720.00
Total Income 5,720.00
Gross Profit 5,720.00
Expense
61000 - Building Payment 1,379.88
61700 · Computer and Internet Expenses 30.95
63300 · Insurance Expense 1,900.00
63400 · Interest Expense 139.09
63900 · Snow Removal 239.63
64800 · Copier Lease 190.11
65200 · Outside Services—BATA BUS 274.00
66000 · Payroll Expenses 1,719.00
66600 · Printing and Reproduction 70.97
66700 · Professional Fees 1,000.00
66800 · Janitorial Expense-Cleaning 159.75
68100 · Telephone Expense 42.41
68600 · Utilities 321.46
Total Expense 7,467.25
Net Ordinary Income -1,747.25
FINANCIAL UPDATE
As we live through this time of uncertainty please remember our church as we continue to take care of our financial responsibilities. A sincere thank you to all who have continued to give their tithes and offerings ei-ther through the mail or through direct giving. If you would like to know more about direct giving, please call the church office.
Financial Notes: Outside services is our first bill from BATA that includes the cost
of the background checks for 2 drivers and the first month cost for using BATA equip-
ment. We also paid what will hopefully be our last snow removal bill for this season!
There is also our insurance payment for the first quarter included in March.
Linda Langner, Teri Johnson, Jennifer Kemper, Dawn Jones, Sheila Helms, Adele Buum, Dave Huebner and Phyl Naffziger.
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. and opened with a prayer. Minutes from the February 10, 2020 meeting were reviewed. Motion by Sheila and second by Jen to approve. Motion carried. Treasurer’s report was given by Jen. Motion to accept the report by Dave. Second by Dawn. Motion passed. The council took up the questions, observations and recommendations posed by Jim Wilson at the February council meet-ing with reference to the current loan payment schedule for the church building. Based on the known and unknown cir-cumstances surrounding the impact of COVID19 on the church budget, the council determined to maintain the current payment schedule. Old Business Dave is waiting on response from the Brookings City Zoning Department for information on requirements for possible replacement of the current church sign. The new UCC Open and Affirming sign is expected to be delivered by the end of March. Teri is checking on the possibility of getting “All Are Welcome” signs from the ACLU for use at the church. Jen has been the primary driver of a BATA bus for transporting persons to church on Sundays during the past month. Jen has researched the cost for installing ADA doors on the church. Midwest Glass estimates cost for a door opener that meets ADA standards for both west door and first set of doors at the south entrance as $4,300 (plus cost of an electrician). Estimate for equipping only the west door with automatic opening is $2,200 (plus cost of an electrician). There is already $500 pledged for use for this up-grade. Dave made a motion that the west door become ADA compliant and that the church pay the cost out of general funds. Adele seconded the motion. The motion passed. Jen will contact Midwest Glass to go ahead with the project. Dawn requested an amount of $50 for research on the use of social media platforms for BUCC outreach to the community. Saturday morning, March 14, is the next scheduled session to continue deep cleaning tasks in the church kitchen. Adele continues to coordinate with Susan Helvig on updates on the ministry teams. New Business At the time of the council meeting it had just been learned that SDSU was extending spring break an additional week and that Brookings Schools were cancelling all extra-circular activities for the next week. Based on available information about COVID19, the Council decided to cancel worship for Sunday, March 15th. With further decisions to be made on a week to week basis. Notification will be made to the congregation and community via email, facebook and website. Members of the congregation are encouraged to continue their financial support of our church by mailing their tithes to the church office.
Jen moved that offerings taken at worship services throughout the year, other than Sunday mornings, be identified for donation to the Medary School Trust Fund. (This fund is for discretionary use by the school staff to use in supporting student needs.) Second by Adele. Motion carried.
As spring approaches there was discussion on projects needed for the church grounds. Linda will research estimates for a concrete foundation upon which a possibly new 10’ x 12’ shed would be placed.
The council will discuss and make more decisions on the shed and work on the Memorial Garden at the next meeting.
Phyl Naffziger proposed a means by which to raise funds for special projects by inviting the congregation to honor and memorialize the mothers in our lives. For the submission of each name of a mother, at the cost of $5, the names of these mothers would be listed in a supplement to the bulletin on Sunday, May 10th. The same celebration of fathers would be held on Sunday, June 21st. Motion by Dawn for this fund-raiser. Seconded by Sheila. Motion carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 5:15 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Dawn E. Jones
aPRIL Birthdays &
Anniversaries
A Coronavirus Prayer
Selected by Debie Thomas. Posted 15 March 2020. Kerry Weber, Executive Editor of America: The Jesuit Review A Coronavirus Prayer Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace. Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace. Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace. Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth. Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we en-dure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace. Jesus Christ, heal us.
Birthdays
1 Paul Wilson 2 Henry Asmus 4 Shawna Asmus 5 Dustin Asmus 11 Ben Asmus 12 Steve Prunty 15 Chad Gloege 18 Sharon Bortnem 20 Luke Wilson 22 Rebecca Marshall
Anniversaries
2 Donn & Sharon Hirrschoff 11 Stuart & Melissa Apland 22 Ron & Linda Langner
Current HyVee Receipt Total $144,707.60
“TIME TO COME INSIDE, TERI, IT’S GETTING DARK.” (March 22 Sermon) THAT IS MY PARENTS SPEAKING FROM THE LITTLE FRONT STEP AT OUR HOME IN NORTH RAPID…..CALLING OUT THE SAME THING EVERY SPRING NIGHT WHEN THEY NOTICED THE SUN HAD GONE DOWN AND THEIR DAUGHTER WAS STILL OUTSIDE PLAYING KICK THE CAN. IT MUST HAVE COST THEM A LOT TO CALL MY ME AND MY LITTLE BROTHER, SINCE IT MEANT THEIR QUIET HOUSE WOULD SOON BE NO MORE. COME IN FROM THE DARK…..THE DARK. THE DARKNESS OF OUR CHILDHOOD BEDROOMS WHERE MONSTERS GATHERED UNDER OUR BEDS AND IN OUR CLOSETS. THE ONLY STRATEGY I LEARNED AS A CHILD AGAINST THE DARK WAS TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND TURN THEM ON QUICKLY. NOBODY EVER TAUGHT ME TO TALK BACK TO THE DARK OR EVEN BREATHE INTO IT. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO LEAVE A LIGHT ON…ANY LIGHT…A NIGHTLIGHT OR THE BATHROOM LIGHT. AND YET STILL TODAY AS A GROWN ADULT THE URGE IS TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT ELIMINATING DARKNESS IS PRETTY HIGH ON THE HUMAN AGENDA…ALL THE DARKNESS…. PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL, RELATIONAL, SPIRITUAL WHAT DO WE EVEN MEAN BY DARKNESS? ALTHOUGH WE MAY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT DEFINTIONS WE WOULD ALL AGREE WE WANT TO STAY OUT OF IF. JUST SAY THE WORD DARKNESS AND THE WORD ASSOCIATIONS BEGIN TO POP UP: NIGHT, NIGHTMARE, DEATH, DANGER, DOUBT, DEPRESSION, LOSS, FEAR. CORO-NIA VIRUS. MORE FEAR. FEAR IS THE MAIN THING. ALMOST EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF BEING AFRAID. DESPITE ALL OUR BEST EFFORTS, THE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OFF IN THE WORLD…THE WORLD AS WE ONCE KNEW…PLUNGING US INTO THE KIND OF DARKNESS THAT TURNS OUR KNEES TO WATER. WHAT CAN LEARN IN THE DARK THAT WE COULD NEVER HAVE LEARNED IN THE LIGHT, THINGS THAT WE ONCE TOOK FOR GRANTED AND NOW ARE LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT. DEBBIE THOMAS WRITES: CAN WE LEARN THAT WE ARE FRAGILE. THAT WE ARE ONE…INTERDEPENDENT AND INTERCONNECTED. THAT OUR DAILY CHOICES CAN HAVE LIFE-AND-DEATH CONSEQUENCES FOR OTHER PEOPLE. THAT UNSELFISH LOVE IS RISKY, INCONVENIENT, AND ESSENTIAL. THAT SO MUCH MORE IS AT STAKE IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES THAN OUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND COMFORT. OUR GOSPEL STORY THIS WEEK IS ABOUT COSTLY SEEING. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ITS FINEST. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT SOCIAL ISOLATION CAN HAVE ON COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS. EVEN BEFORE JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN, THE DISCIPLES ASSUME THAT HIS BLINDNESS IS HIS OWN FAULT. SO THEY ASK JESUS WHO HAS SINNED AND INCURRED GOD’S DISPLEASURE…THE MAN HIMSELF, OR HIS PARENTS. BUT JESUS REJECTS THE ENTIRE PREMISE OF THEIR QUESTION. THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAN’S CONDITION AND HIS SINFULNESS, JESUS SAYS. GOD DOES NOT MAKE PEOPLE SICK IN ORDER TO PUNISH THEM. I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS WONDER IF THE CORONIA VIRUS IS GOD’S WAY OF GETTING OUR ATTENTION. OF GOD’S WAY OF SLOWLY WEEDING US OUT. TO STEP AWAY FROM OUR BROTHER OR SISTER’S SUFFERING BECAUSE WE ASSUME IT’S DIVINELY ORDAINED, IS NOT RIGHTEOUS. IT’S REPREHENSIBLE. THE STORY TELLS US THE MAN IS HEALED AND THE COMMUNITY RALLIES TO DISCREDIT HIM. WHY DOES THE COMMUNITY FEEL SUCH AN URGENT NEED TO SILENCE THE HEALED MAN? COULD IT BE FEAR? A FEAR SO DEEP THAT IT DRIVES AWAY ALL COMPASSION, ALL EMPATHY, ALL TENDERNESS, ALL SENSE OF COMMUNITY. IF THE MAN’S BLINDNESS ISN’T A PUNISH-MENT, THEN WHAT DOES IT MEAN ABOUT HOW THE WORLD WORKS? ANYONE MIGHT GET SICK, OR SUFFER FROM A DISABILITY, OR FACE UNDESERVED PAIN AND SUFFERING FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON WHATSOVER. THAT WOULDN’T BE FAIR, WOULD IT? THAT WOULD BE A VERSION OF REALITY THE GOOD RELIGIOUS PEO-PLE CAN’T CONTROL. RELIGIOUS PEOPLE WITH NO CONTROL? THAT’S A TERRIFYING THOUGHT IN ITSELF. WHO CAN BEAR TO SURRENDER CONTROL? WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT ANSWERS? NOTICE IN THE STORY NO ONE CAN SEE GOD’S LOVE IN THE MIDST OF EVERYTHING. NO ONE IN STORY REJOICES WHEN THE MAN IS HEALED. NO ONE…NOT EVEN THE MAN’S PARENTS…EXPRESSES JOY, OR WONDER, OR GRATITUDE, OR AWE. NO ONE SAYS, “I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!” OR ASKS, “WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SEE FOR THE FIRST TIME? DID THE SUNLIGHT HURT YOUR EYES? WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED TO LOOK AT FIRST? DOES THIS STORY SUGGEST THAT VULNERABILITY, SOFTENESS, CURIOSITY AND OPENNESS ARE ESSENTIAL TO REAL SEEING? OVER THE NEXT WEEKS WE WILL FACE A CHOICE….THE CHOICE TO SEE OR TO TURN AWAY. WILL WE BE FLEXIBLE IN THE WAYS WE EXTEND LOVE ACROSS DISTANCES, OR WILL WE HUNKER DOWN IN FEAR AND SUSPICION? WILL WE DARE TO BE THE CHURCH IN NEW WAYS, EVEN AS WE PRACTIVE QUARANTINES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING…OR WILL WE FORGET THAT WE ARE ONE BODY, CONNECTED AND INTERDE-PENDENT, INCOMPLETE WITHOUT EACH OTHER? WILL WE HAVE EYES TO SEE GOD IN OUR NEIGHBORS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE SICK OR HEALTHY, INSURED OR UNINSURED, PROTECTED OR VULNERABLE? WILL WE HAVE COMPASSION IN OUR HEARTS TO STAND UP TO THOSE WHO SAY THE BLAME IS ON CHINA FOR GIVING US CORVED 19? WILL WE BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO LOOK AT OUR OWN VULNERABILITY…OUR OWN MORTALITY… AND TRUST THAT GOD IS WITH US? OR WILL WE YEILD TO CYNICISM, PANIC, AND DESPAIR? COULD IT BE SAID WE NEED DARKNESS AS MUCH AS WE NEED LIGHT? WHAT CAN WE LEARN IN THIS TIME? WHAT WILL WE LEARN IN THIS TIME OF DARKNESS THAT WE COULD NEVER HAVE LEARNED IN THE LIGHT? AT THE END OF OUR STORY THE HEALED MAN POSSESS A DEEP TRUST IN JESUS AND COMMITS HIMSELF AS A DISCIPLE WITHOUT LOOKING BACK. DURING THESE LENTEN DAYS MAY WE CONTINUE TO WALK AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT…RECOMMITING OUR LIVES TO THE ONE WHO IS WITH US. ALLOW ME TO CLOSE WITH A PRAYER BY THOMAS MERTON: MY LORD GOD, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING. I DO NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME. I CANNOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE IT WILL END. NOR DO I REALLY KNOW MYSELF, AND THE FACT THAT I THINK I AM FOLLOWING YOUR WILL DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AM ACTUALLY DOING SO. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIRE TO PLEASE YOU DOES IN FACT PLEASE YOU. AND I HOPE I HAVE THAT DESIRE IN ALL THAT I AM DOING. I HOPE THAT I WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING APART FROM THAT DESIRE. AND I KNOW THAT IF I DO THIS YOU WILL LEAD ME BY THE RIGHT ROAD, THOUGH I MAY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEREFORE I WILL TRUST YOU AL-WAYS THOUGH I MAY SEEM TO BE LOST AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH. I WILL NOT FEAR, FOR YOU ARE EVER WITH ME, AND YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE ME TO FACE PERILS ALONE. AMEN AND AMEN.
CELEBRATE WOMEN
To help celebrate the significant women in your life on Sunday, May 10th, please complete the following form. Include a $5 donation, per name, along with the form. Donations are going to the Medary School Trust Fund our partnership school. Please mail the forms and donations to the office, 828 8th St. S., Brookings, SD 57006, no later than April 25, 2020 so they can be included in the May Newsletter.
In Memory of Sponsor
Mary Black (grandmother) (example) Beth (Black) James (grand-daughter)
In Honor of Sponsor
Abbey Smith (mother) (example) Henry Smith (son)
If more space is needed use a blank piece of paper
Name: _____________________________ Total Donation: ________________
Phone Number: __________________________
(In case we need to clarify a spelling)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONNECTING TO SERMON VIDEO
We want to ensure that everyone stay connected each week by watching the sermon on line. We are hop-
ing these instructions will make it easier. If you are still having difficulty after using the instructions please
call the church office and we will do our best to walk you through the process on the phone.
Pull up the internet and type in our website, www.brookingsucc.org. On the home page of our website on
the right hand side about halfway down you should see a line that says “Sermon for Sunday April 5” move
your mouse on that line until the little hand comes up, click on it once, and it should take you to You Tube,
where you will see the Pastor, click on the arrow in the middle of the pic and the video should start. Make
sure you have the volume turned up on whatever device you are watching on. I hope this helps!
![THE REGISTRATION ACT, 1908 - U.Pcomtax.up.nic.in/Miscellaneous Act/the-registration-act-1908.pdf · THE REGISTRATION ACT, 1908 (16 OF 1908) [18th December, 1908] An Act to consolidate](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5acb37ad7f8b9aad468b4a7a/the-registration-act-1908-u-actthe-registration-act-1908pdfthe-registration.jpg)
![ACT NO. V OF 1908 [21st March 1908] PRELIMINARYma-law.org.pk/pdflaw/CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 1908.pdf · Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. ACT NO. V OF 1908 [21st March 1908] An Act to](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5a703e007f8b9abb538bc596/act-no-v-of-1908-21st-march-1908-preliminaryma-laworgpkpdflawcode-of-civil.jpg)
