Day 8: "Promises of Presence"

Day 8:

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Sunday 22 March 2020

"Promises of Presence"

So today we are missing church – again, and the absence of being together will begin to increase its toll on our souls – we were created to be connected to others, and never more so than in the church, the body of Christ. How are we to remedy this anxious dilemma while adhering soberly to the reality of the necessity of social distancing in order to help slow the spread of a disease that seeks us all?

I love God’s church – not because I am a pastor, but because I am a man who needs Jesus and who is fed by the corporate worship of His people in all of our brokenness and incompleteness.

Jesus made a promise: “Where two or three of you gather together in my name there am I in your midst.” Matthew 18:20. But we aren’t gathering together today, or for the foreseeable future. So how do we still experience His presence in the absence of His people? By leaning into his promises of his presence in our individual lives.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5
“I will be with you always, to the very end…” Matthew 28:30
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Reflective question: Which of these promises of presence do you most need today in your life?

Reflective Scripture: Choose one from above.

Reflective hymn: "Standing on the Promises"

Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.

Reflective prayer: Prayer for the Third Sunday of Lent, The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.  

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Day 7: "Praying Largely"

Day 7:

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for the people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

“Praying Largely”

I thought of this category of praying largely when I read a daily email from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. Always filled with news of what God is doing in the larger church, this one contained a prayer from Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri and Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, co-moderators of the 223^rd General Assembly. Praying it fills us with an exercise in ‘praying largely.’ I invite you to let it fill you ‘largely’ within as you pray it today:

Eternal God, sustainer, provider,

God of all wisdom and knowledge,

our spirits are weary, our faith quivers,

our minds get clouded by news of sickness and death.

You know our thoughts before we express them,

even the fears we dismiss, you know them.

We cannot hide our feelings and worries from you.

So, as we are, we come to You, O God, asking for wisdom,

for clear minds and open hearts, for calm and assurance that,

through the crisis, You are present.

Knowing that

“the Spirit helps us in our weakness;

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words,”

(Romans 8:26)

we ask for wisdom and protection …

for medical personnel, scientists, doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians.

For those around the world considering current and other health crises.

For health care personnel and caregivers.

We lift them up to You.

We ask for clear minds and open hearts

as people navigate daily lives …

as closures, cancellations, and quarantines are enacted.

As families gather in their homes, some caring for those who are sick.

As we encounter neighbors in our neighborhoods, stores, and pharmacies.

We pray for the sick,

those who have lost or are at risk of losing jobs in the midst of this crisis,

for those whose health or social services will be or have been affected,

for those suffering the direct effects of this virus, locally and around the world.

Illumine us, Holy Spirit. Show us in what ways we can be of help

as we care for self and others.

We ask for calm, assurance, and strength.

May we all remember that in the midst of any crisis,

your grace reaches us,

your hope enlightens us, and your love surrounds us all. Amen.

Reflective scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - “Pray without ceasing.”

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Day 6: "Three Things You Can Do"

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020
“Three Things You Can Do”

What are you doing during this time of accelerated directives from officials at various levels of government? If you are like a lot of people, you are probably stocking up on supplies at the store, a subtle panic reaction borne of an also subtle fear that there might not be enough the next time we shop. So that takes care of the needs of the body.

What about the needs of the soul – is it possible that some Christians who have a sort of casual approach to faith during peaceful times are engaging in the panic equivalent of spiritually stocking up out of anxiety over what the future might hold? Sort of catching up with God?

Deacon Anna Schibler, prayer chain coordinator for the Congregational Care Committee of Pax Pres, receives and disseminates prayer requests from and to members of our community of faith.  No matter what the requests she sends out, she always signs off with Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” 

So whether your devotional life is consistently strong or has been flagging lately, here are three choices you can make today, and tomorrow, and the next day, choices I say because they all involve action verbs: “Rejoice….be patient….be constant.”

“rejoice” – to be glad, delight in, experience ... ”hope” – expectation, waiting
“be patient” – literally to stand under and endure ... ”tribulation” – affliction, pressure
“be constant” – persevere, be steadfast ... ”prayer” – literally to interact (with the Lord)

Reflective question: Which of these three directives do you find the hardest to embrace? Why do you think this is? Try focusing on this for the next several days.

Reflective scripture: Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Reflective hymn: “I Need Thee Every Hour”

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; no tender voice like Thine, can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now my Savior I come to Thee.

Reflective prayer: write your own prayer requests here.

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Day 5: Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2020
“The Theology of Social Distancing and Love of Neighbor”

“…it is our care and concern for others that motivates our adoption of social distancing measures. It is in fact an act of Christian love to participate fully in the practice of social distancing in the context of a global pandemic. While it feels counterintuitive to us, social distancing is the best way for us to respond to Christ’s call to protect ‘the least of these’ in the human family." - Dr. Shane Berg, Executive Vice President, Princeton Theological Seminary   

Dr. Berg’s observation turns the whole concept of social distancing on its head: what the world sees as an impediment to social interaction he sees as an act of Christian concern for others in order to try to protect the weak and vulnerable, those more susceptible to disease.

WARM – some have asked why we cancelled WARM, our week to house and feed 20-25 homeless in our facility. I would suggest that, while we didn’t employ the phrase ‘the theology of social distancing,’ it was this very Christ-generated concern for the health of the homeless that determined the decision, better that they be outside in what is now moderate climate than confined to the same place where germs can easily travel. It was also out of a concern for those volunteers from PaxPres, some of whom by virtue of age and health are more susceptible.

Jesus himself, who would be expected to have spent all his waking hours with the poor, the sick and the outcast, intentionally distanced himself from those he came to save, going it alone through long nights of prayer. Clamoring needy crowds notwithstanding, He invited his disciples to do the same: “’Come with me by yourselves and get some rest.’” Mark 6:31. Jesus knew what we sometimes forget: sometimes we serve others best by distancing ourselves from them for awhile in order to take care of ourselves, and in today’s crisis, protect each other from disease.    

Reflective question: Where in your relationships do you need to put into practice a Christ-generated theology of social distancing out of concern for and commitment to others?

Reflective Scripture: Mark 6:31: “’Come with me by yourselves and get some rest.’”

Reflective hymn: “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;

but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.

Reflective Prayer: Write your own.

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Day 4: Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

Day 4: Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2020

"Prepare to Hunker Down"

“Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and

Infectious Diseases on NBC Meet the Press, Sunday 15 March 2020

Being the inveterate etymologist that I am – I love to study word origins, I wondered, really, what Dr. Fauci was saying to us, “to hunker down.” He linked it to the concept and dynamic of ‘shutdown’ and all that that is continuing to imply for us as a country: “Stringent mitigation and containment” measures.

So while its primary meaning is to hunker or crouch close to the ground, it also means to focus, as in hunkering down to complete a task, or what happens when all around us is being shutdown and we have to hunker down, stay in place.

It is in such a place and in such a time that God issues His own directive to ‘hunker down’ with words more poetic and at the same time more personal: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. God’s ‘hunkering directive’ to Moses reads this way in Exodus 14:13: “’Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.’” 

Many of us are experiencing this standing still, this slowing down or even cessation of busyness imposed by authorities in their attempt to slow down this unseen threat. So people heed the warning of Dr. Fauci and prepare to hunker down, to remain in place, to be still, by frantically filling grocery carts to overflowing with huge amounts of everything they might need for a long siege at home. But is this what God is calling us to as people of faith?

Reflective Question: Where are you most in need of ‘hunkering down,’ of standing still, of being still, so you can be overwhelmed with the peace-giving awareness that God is God?   

Reflective Scripture: Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Reflective hymn: “Be Still my Soul”

Be still, my soul! 

Thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul! 

The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Reflective Prayer: Write your own

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Day Three: Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

Day 3: Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2020
"The Disease that Prowls Through the Darkness"

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” Psalm 91:5-6

I take the title for this reflection from the translation of this verse found in The Message, which reads: “Fear nothing – not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, not disease that prowls through darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.” 

No matter how it is written it all reads the same: there is a universal tendency to fear that which can harm us and over which we have no control, whether it be wild wolves, flying arrows, disease or disaster. For none of these is there a warning. And from none of these is there protection.

The problem with anything that prowls in darkness is that we can’t see it and what we can’t see we can’t control and what we can’t control we fear. This fear rooted in absence of control has its genesis in, well, Genesis, a direct result, not a side effect, of disobeying God who, in seeking Adam with the question “’Adam, where are you?’” received the painful reply that has marked every person ever born from that day to this: “’I was afraid …’”   Genesis 3:9,10.

This disease that prowls through the darkness has a name, coronavirus, but naming it doesn’t diminish its threat – it prowls as in darkness because we can’t see it anywhere, only be told of its presence after it has struck. And so we are afraid, anxious, even if we won’t admit it.

None of us has ever lived through such a time as this. And it is to such times as this that God came in infant, helpless, vulnerable form, a coming marked by an invitation to set aside the fear that has haunted our species from day one: “Fear not …don’t be afraid …” were the first words spoken by angels to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, to Mary, to Joseph and to the shepherds.

Reflective question: Where is there fear in your heart due to this present crisis?

Reflective promise from God’s Word: Isaiah 43:1
“’Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, and you are mine.’”

Reflective hymn text: “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” 
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee.

Reflective prayer: write your own.

PRAYER REQUEST: click here to submit.

Help Support Our Neighbors/Ministry Partners

Dear Friends, 

During this challenging time, please remember our neighbors in need. You can help by picking up essential items or contributing financially: 

Three Oaks:  Paper towels, toilet paper, soap, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, washcloths, twin sized sheets, blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags. Donations may be dropped off anytime at 46905 Lei Drive, Lexington Park, MD, 20653.  Financial contributions: Three Oaks Center, P.O. Box 776, Lexington Park, MD, 20653.

The Mission: Breakfast for the Homeless is served at The Mission every Sunday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (with a service to follow). If you and a few friends would like to serve breakfast on any given Sunday, please sign up via Meal Train: https://mealtrain.com/w1dgzw. How it works: We are serving between 35-50 people per week. We have four/five chafing pans all heated up and ready when you arrive, so that you can take your pre-cooked items and just place them on the serving line. Breakfast typically is whatever the person or group decides to cook or serve. Many times it is scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, milk, orange juice, cereals ... whatever you choose to do. We will even supply the eggs if you need them.

Is still providing lunch and dinner bags - please check the Meal Train link for opportunities to serve. Praise and thanks to all for your generous donations! The Mission has successfully purchased their new building in Lexington Park. Want to Donate? Monetary donations can be made at seekingshelter.com. Funds for the new site renovation in particular can be donated at the Mission’s GoFundMe site, https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/ campaign/the-missionbuilding-down-payment. Food can be dropped off at The Mission at 21015 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park from 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Mondays - Saturdays. 

Phone: 240-718-8911. Financial contributions: The Mission, P.O. Box 2011, California, MD, 20619. Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/ok3o8n. 

SMILE: The SMILE Thrift Store and the Food Pantry are open and we need your help! The current COVID crisis has severely limited the number of volunteers able to work at SMILE. If your health would allow you to volunteer, please contact Sally Hamilton (thrift store) 410-610-0909 or Kathy Mazur (food pantry) 240-434-2643 for more information and to sign up.

The SMILE store is still temporarily closed on Saturdays until more volunteers are available to work it. The store hours are: Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Store donations can be made from 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. on the days they are open.

Food Pantry hours are: Mondays from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

We are in need of store volunteers for all of the open days (and Saturdays) and for the pantry we are looking for someone to join the team that unloads the food truck on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  They must be able to lift 30 lbs.  The commitment can be as low as once a month.

We have redesigned our work flow to comply with MD social distancing and other requirements, including the wearing of face masks.  

Your volunteer hours can be adjusted to fit your schedule. For high school students (15 and over) SMILE hours can be used to satisfy community service requirements.Please continue to pray for the safety of our clients and volunteers. Financial contributions: SMILE, P.O. Box 1725, Lusby, MD, 20688. 

HOPE: 

The Church of the Ascension heard about a need for children in the Lexington Park/Great Mills community that may have a school computer but no Internet access. They have set up times for children to come to the church to work with an Internet connection, within social distancing guidelines with volunteers. Times are from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on various weekdays. Please CLICK HERE to fill out the Educational Support form and return it to the email address as listed. Thank you and God Bless!

Outdoor Food Pantry Hours of Operation: Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Thursdays 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. All donations and prayers welcome! 
Donations and Financial Contributions: 21641 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD, 20653. Prayer is always needed. 

St. Mary's Caring: Continues to provide take and go meals, distribution sites, groceries to school families, and others who need food, as well as meals for the Tent City. 

Current Needs: fresh fruit such as grapes, oranges, apples, bananas, and strawberries. No contact drop-off hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donations can be made at 20850 Langley Road, Lexington Park, MD, 20653. They are also asking for prayers as the number of people they serve is continuing to increase. 

Peter Pan said, "Just think happy thoughts and you can fly." A positive, fun quote that brightens the day. That's the type of words we are looking for to add to our take-and-go bags, for adults and children. Do your quotes or kid-friendly jokes on colored paper or card stock, cut into strips, and put them in the mail. We will place them in our bags to add a little bit of encouragement and joy.

Financial contributions: St. Mary's Caring, 20850 Langley Rd., Lexington Park, MD, 20653.

Care Net of SoMD: Since we cannot meet in person for our Annual Banquet, Care Net of SoMD will be hosting a Virtual Unbanquet on Thursday, September 10th at 6:30pm! Please join us and spread the word! Our special keynote speaker will still be Melissa Ohden, who is the survivor of a failed abortion. You will also hear from our Executive Director, Olivia Bossert, hear client testimonies, and find out what we are doing to reach our community during Covid. You can visit our donor/supporter website at www.friendsofcarenetsomd.org to get connected to our Live Virtual event. We need all the help we can get to continue serving in our community."

Care Net of SoMD continues to have the Lexington Park center open three days a week. The Teal Mobile goes out in the county on Wednesdays to distribute diapers, wipes, formula, and jar food to people who cannot make it to our center. Virtual parenting classes and options counseling continue to be offered, as well as a texting 'holiness.' They have seen an increase of 150% in abortion-minded callers since the pandemic. 

Care Net of SoMD is now accepting donations - monetary and goods - at the Lexington Park office. Current needs: Similac Advance (blue can), Soy Formula (Similac Soy and Enfamil ProSobee), Baby wipes (not disinfecting), Size 6 diapers, Boy Pull-ups 4T-5T, and Girl Pull-ups 2T-3T. 

The mailing address is Care Net of SoMD, PO Box 31, Lexington Park, MD, 20653. Prayer is always welcome and appreciated.

Help Wanted & Needed at CareNet: 

1. We have an open position and are hiring a Communications Director:

Care Net SoMD is hiring for the position of Communication Director.  The Communication Director is responsible for daily management of social media, website development and advertising (print and digital).  Must have an understanding of marketing to different audiences and a proficiency in communicating across multiple platforms.  Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related field (or extensive experience) required.  Master’s degree and event planning experience preferred. The ability to demonstrate a personal relationship with Christ and a commitment to the sanctity of life are critical. Anyone interested in this position should contact Executive Director, Olivia Bossert at 301-737-4604 or director@carenetsomd.org.

2. We are looking for more volunteers and are offering training in July that will be held over Zoom for anyone interested. Click HERE for more information!

________________

Pax Pres Closed Indefinitely

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, we have

suspended all church activities indefinitely.

Although the church office is closed,

please email: churchoffice@paxpres.org.

For current information,

please visit our website: www.paxpres.com.

Rev. Robert Bayley is available for pastoral emergencies

by emailing: pastorrobert@paxpres.org.

"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