Sermon Notes: “When the Foundations are Being Destroyed” - June 14, 2020

“When the Foundations are Being Destroyed”

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Sunday 14 June 2020 - Flag Day

Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Job 1:13-22        

1 Corinthians 3:10-11        

Psalm 11

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3

“When the foundations are being destroyed…”

The foundation of health – the coronavirus pandemic. 

The foundation of income-through-work – almost 40 million unemployed.

The foundation of human equality – the deep running wound of racism erupting again.

The foundation of trust and civility – the corrosion of leadership.

The truths of Scripture in secular documents.

The Declaration of Independence, signed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 4 July 1777.   “…all men are created equal…”

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania battlefield 19 November 1863.   “…all men are created equal.”

Pledge of Allegiance, Francis Bellamy, 1892   “…with liberty and justice for all.”

Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial 23 August 1963 “… all men … the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” “It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment … The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright light of justice appears.” Amos 5:24  – “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”

“... what will the righteous do?”

The foundation of Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:11   “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

The foundation of God’s Word – Ephesians 2:19-20   “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone.” 

The foundation of the ownership of our lives, our existence – 2 Timothy 2:19   “… God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription, ‘the Lord knows those who are his.’” 

The foundation of good works that are the evidence of our faith – 1 Timothy 6:18-19   “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will be laying up treasure for themselves, as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of life which is truly life.”

The foundation you choose determines what happens at the end of your life - Matthew 7:24-27

MONDAY MORNING

Which of these foundations under attack is God calling you to get involved in in some way?

Which of these foundations in God’s Word is God calling you to pursue and cultivate?

PaxPres and Coronavirus COVID19

California, MD - Due to the increasing threat of COVID-19, and because we deeply care about the health and well-being of all who attend and visit, Patuxent Presbyterian Church will suspend all church activities, which are held on-site, through March 31st:

Sunday worship services

Sunday school classes

Sunday Fellowship

Children's Church

Youth Group/Band

Honey MacCallum Christian Preschool classes

Choir practice/Handbell practice

Women's Prayer Group

Garden Club Meeting

Indoor Soccer Practice

Broad Creek HOA Meeting

BSA Western Shore District Committee Meetings

Yoga Class

Volleyball

Futsol Practice

SMCR Executive Committee Meeting

Cub Scout Meeting

Creative Christian Cooks

On-Site Small Groups

March 29th Youth Sunday/Town Hall Meeting/Potluck Lunch

The following events have been cancelled:

Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

W.A.R.M. - Wrapping Arms 'Round Many

Cosmic Concert

SMCR Game Night

The following events will go on as scheduled:

A.A. Meeting - Saturdays

Women's A.A. Meeting - Mondays

Co-Dependents Anonymous - Tuesdays

Church Work & Mulch Day - March 28th

Off-site Small Groups:

Small groups are encouraged to use discretion in meeting during these unusual times.  To mitigate the spread of the coronavirus schools have been closed statewide and professional sports cancelled.  This is serious.  For a short period of time (at least two weeks) it is prudent to limit meeting in groups.  Instead, Small Group participants may read the Bible or use some of the references listed on the Pax Pres website for individual study and growth.

Your continued support of tithes and offerings is greatly appreciated, as the financial obligations – payroll, utilities, missionary support – continue. To stay current, please consider mailing your checks directly to the church or signing up for online giving (the convenient, fast and secure option).

Lastly, the church office staff will be on-site for administrative functions only, Mondays - Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rev. Robert Bayley is available for pastoral emergencies by calling our office at 301.863.2033.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV

Your friends in Christ,

Patuxent Presbyterian Church

A NOTE FROM PASTOR ROBERT

Members and friends of PaxPres,

These are uncertain times and this is an unknown terrain in which we travel. However, we serve a sovereign God in whom we trust through our relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship is nourished, encouraged, comforted and protected through our regular interaction with God's eternal and trustworthy Word. During this time when worship services are suspended, I will be providing you with the weekly sermon outline study guide. I hope it will serve you in ways that are supportive until we gather together again.

While distancing is becoming the watchword, please know I am available for pastoral care emergencies. Please contact the church office at 301.863.2033.

Pax Christi, Pastor Robert

PaxPres Coronavirus Precautions

For Immediate Release

From Patuxent Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, Patuxent Presbyterian Church is implementing necessary precautions for the wellness of our church family, as well as the many visitors to our church. We do have some suggestions for your consideration:

Greeting: Please forego handshakes and hugs (for now).

Communion: Procedures are being put in place to ensure the safety of all congregants.

Offering: We will be taking proper precautions during offering to make the process as sanitary as possible. OnlineGiving could be your best solution!

Cleaning: Deb’s Commercial Cleaning Service currently cleans the church every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The following changes are in effect immediately:

1.     Every Monday until notified to change back. Bathrooms – will continue to be cleaned with Clorox. All surfaces, including all handles for inside and outside entrances of church and sanctuary - will do hospital-grade cleaning with lemon disinfecting NCL solution. Floors – to be cleaned with Lysol floor cleaner.

2.     This Friday, March 13 - Will wipe all handles inside and outside entrances with Clorox wipes along with regular cleaning.

3.     Every Wednesday and Friday, until notified otherwise: Will continue with regular cleaning routine adding wipe-down of all handles inside and outside entrances with disinfectant wipes.

Sickness: if you have a fever or a cold, please stay home and recuperate.

Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes: available in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall for your use.

As of today, Sunday worship services, Honey MacCallum Christian Preschool, and all planned events/activities will continue as scheduled. If there are any changes whatsoever, we will let you know via church email, Constant Contact, social media and our church messaging system.

We are a praying church. Let us remain prayerful for all those affected by this virus and know that God is holding us all in His caring hands.

God Bless,

Patuxent Presbyterian Church Staff