Hi friends,
Just before Jesus ascended, he instructed his followers to prepare themselves for something more. So for the next ten days, leading up to Pentecost, they did just that, meeting to pray and worship.
This year we’re following their lead, using the ten days before Pentecost (May 31) to pray, and to let the Lord prepare us for whatever “more” of the Holy Spirit he would give. To help you in your preparation we have prepared daily resources: a video testimony, a brief Bible study, and a couple of songs. Use any or all of it that you find helpful.
And may we together discover what more the Lord has for us on Pentecost!
Blessings, Keith
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Judy Roberts' Testimony
of Something More
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A Scripture Lesson on
Something More: Acts 1:4-8
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Here were Jesus’ “famous last words” – what he spoke to his followers just before he ascended. First he told them that the Father had more for them, a baptism in the Spirit, and that they should wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came (v. 4-5). Then he told them that the Spirit would bring them power, and not for mere power’s sake, but to enable them in their mission (v. 8).
There is more! So said Jesus. And he wants us to have the kind of power that enables us to do what we cannot do on our own. Like what? What part of that Holy Spirit power would you like to see multiplied in your life this year?
Pray today about how the Lord might expand on his promise in your life for more of his presence and power.
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Songs for Praise and Meditation
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Vertical Church Band:
Spirit of the Living God
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Sunday, May 31, 2020
10:30 AM Livestreaming from the Sanctuary
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Our New Worship Plan
Begins This Sunday!
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Now with Virginia phasing in re-openings, our Elders have made a plan for how St. Giles will take a next step too. This Sunday, May 31, we will have a service in the sanctuary, with the plans described below in place, so that we can continue in partnership with the larger community to slow the spread of the virus, and to keep our St. Giles folks safe. Livestream will continue! So whether you are in the church or at home, you may continue to join us.
Part of the joy of being together in this way is that May 31 is Pentecost – a festive day to step back into a pattern of in person worship. We are praying for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and making use of our 10 days of There is More to prepare our hearts.
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Plans for Worship in the Sanctuary
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Here is a summary of the provisions during the state’s Phase 1:
- That we have a single service at 10:30 on Sundays in the sanctuary, and that we continue livestreaming worship.
- That anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms, or been exposed, must not come.
- That we have no classes or nursery. So children will sit with their families.
- That we only sit in every other pew, individually or by family.
- That everyone wears a mask, with only leaders doing without, so that they can be heard, and that each individual will remove the mask only to take communion. (We will have some masks in the lobby for those who arrive without their own.)
- That our ushers guide people, so that they don’t crowd up while coming for communion or departing.
- That visiting after worship will be outside, and with safe distancing.
- That communion be by the same pattern we have used in our mini-congregation during the shut-down (bread and cups spread, so that each person need not touch another’s serving).
- That we strongly encourage our friends who are 65 and above to consider the perils of coming in person and to continue watching from home, but ultimately leave it up to them. Individual notes are being sent by post to the most senior part of our congregation with more details about this.
- That we have no other gatherings while the Phase One provisions are in place. That includes no Preschool, MAKE Studio, or Drama Camps, and no food trucks. (As the state assesses the impact of their provisions and makes revisions, we may add these or other events onto the calendar.)
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We are continuing our Zoom class, "Pneuma", which is taught by Keith Hill on Thursdays from 7-8:30 PM. To learn more and to get the link for the class please email Rachel Burns in the office at
rachel@stgiles.org.
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Please join us Sunday morning at 9:00 AM on Zoom for our class on The Ten Commandments. All are invited. For any questions please contact Tommy Nance at
twjrnance@gmail.com.
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This Wednesday's Bible Study will wrap up our study of Daniel. Please contact Ross Anderson at
rossandbetty@yahoo.com if you'd like to join. Class starts at 7:00 p.m.
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Skip and Karen Thistle have been providing copies of Daily Bread for any who would use it for devotionals. But with most of us not coming into the church building these days, where we can pick one up, our distribution system has broken down. So Skip has volunteered to deliver a copy to any who request it. Thanks, Skip! If you’d like a copy, just call the church office, and we’ll get word to Skip.
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Love Your Neighbor: Adopt Your Block!
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St Giles is joining with 80+ area churches and For Richmond to offer a simple and safe way for us to love our neighbors. Click the link below to find out more.
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Helping Our Community During COVID-19
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We want to express our thanks for your generous support
of Ellwood House. However, we still have a little ways to go.
This week will begin phase 1 of transition back to normalcy, but
Ellwood House still needs continued support during this time as
the residents attempt to get back on their feet. Donations of
non-perishables and paper products are still welcome as
for additional information.
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Virtual Youth Group Wednesday Night
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Taylor will be holding a virtual youth group on Wednesday night (5/27) from 6:00-7:30. Join us on Zoom at the link below!
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Service Plans for Dee Steinacker
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We will have a service for Dee Steinacker at 1 PM Monday, June 1, here at the church. We’ll be following the same every other pew plans we have for Sundays. There will also be a procession following the service to Hollywood Cemetery.
Visitation for Dee will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad Street, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
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Livestreaming Bible Study and Worship
One of our newer ministries is livestreaming our worship services and some of our classes. If you’d like to check it out, use this link to our YouTube channel. We’re doing it simply - no fancy sound or cameras - but it works to bring you the basics. If you don’t click on during the actual live stream hours, Sundays at 9:30 or 11:00, know that the videos are saved on our YouTube channel page, along with Pastor Keith’s video blogs. Find us at:
http://bit.ly/StGilesYouTube
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