During these ‘ordinary days’ of PENTECOST, we rejoice in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which enables the church to share the good news us of God's love for the world, and empowers us to be the disciples of Christ in the world. As we enter into the summer months, the Elders have decided to try a new form of worship. We will be holding an informal worship at 9:47 am which will include a hymnsing each Sunday, shortened scripture lessons, and having those able to come to the front of the sanctuary with their offerings and to partake in communion. Those not comfortable to doing so will have communion brought to them. We still offer our Bible study before worship, at 9 am. Some Sundays the people gathered will suggest favorite hymns to sing; other times we will suggest some new songs to sing, to introduce us to new music to add to our worship of God. We hope you will join us in this service of giving glory to God in these days of restoration and re-creation. The last Sunday for this summer schedule is Aug. 29. On Labor Sunday, Sept. 5, we will have our traditional outdoor informal worship, weather permitting, at 10:30 am. We resume the regular worship and Bible study on Recovenanting Sunday, Sept. 13; 9:30 am - Bible Study; 10:30 am - Traditional worship, Sunday School.
Our Health Ministry team continues to look for ways to integrate faith and health, and rejoice that our new Parish Nurse, Louise Gaeddert, RN, has begun to work with us in this effort. We understand that Jesus sent his disciples into the world to preach, teach and heal, and so the church should be involved in this ministry as well as the more familiar preaching and teaching. Our next program is a faith-based Diabetes Awareness and Education program, "Yes! You can Defy Diabetes." We will be presenting this in conjunction with FISH of East Aurora, and will run on 6 Mondays beginning Sept. 20, at 9 am. An enrollment and information session will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1 pm, at FISH. If you are interested in attending but can't make the Aug. 31 date, then contact us and we will set things up for you. This program is for people at risk of Diabetes Type 2, and people already diagnosed with it. It is free, and open to the public.
We continue our walking together at least twice a month. It is generally held the first and third Thursdays of the month(note the change from 1st Saturdays). The next dates are Thursday, Aug. 19, and Sept. 2,, at 9:30 am at the church. We are also gearing up for more health ministry events this year, including offering a Flu Shot Clinic and mini-health fair on Sunday, Oct. 24, 12 noon - 2 pm. The community is welcome to be a part of this important event. More detailed information is being prepared, and is available on the Parish Nurse page of the website.
Our alternative worship/spiritual experience, the OPEN TABLE: FOOD FOF LIFE is held on THURSDAY evenings, 6:30 PM around a meal table, with prayers and discussion as a part of that experience, closing with communion. Our discussions are determined by the group, and we look at a variety of issues and questions that go beyond the normal Sunday School or traditional worship themes. During these days, we are looking at the "Beatitudes" from the Sermon on the Mount, and especially looking at the 'aramaic' version, which was the language Jesus spoke in his teachings. How do they apply to us today?
We invite you to join us in worship, education, stewardship and service as we make Christ known from our corner here in East Aurora, to the ends of the earth. We do this as faithful and obedient disciples of Christ through this community of faith known as East Aurora Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). May you follow the Spirit's leading in these 'holy days' of our lives.
Please feel free to contact me at revrn@juno.com, or at eaXn@juno.com, or by calling the church office at 652-5040.
Rev. amos acree, jr.
