From the Pastor's Desk . . .
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Dear Acacia Park Family,
I miss seeing you. I miss worshiping with you. I miss enjoying bible study, coffee and…, fellowship, hearing your stories. I miss each of you deeply. I’m sure each of us can say that about our church family here at Acacia Park. I pray that each of you is staying inside for the health of others and yourself. If you are an essential employee or have one in your family, thank you, and know that so many are praying for safety and well-being. We have included a list of essential workers in our prayers. If you have one that you would like to add, please let me or Dawn know.
Something positive that is coming out of us depending more on our online connections is the new communities that are springing up. I was invited to join a group of interfaith religious leaders throughout the world on a Facebook community. We are sharing resources and ideas, and it is amazing to see clergy of all different Christian denominations and faiths work together.
Since we are not setup for online worship, I am sending out a few devotionals through email:
● Pandemic Devotional. It is designed for mediation and using the Faith Five prayer model (
https://faithink.com/the-faith5-steps
) to find a way to pause and find the voice of God at some point during the day.
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● A Lent Retreat. This gives ideas for family activities or solo activities to do between now and Easter.
● Holy Week at Home. Prayers and readings for each day of Holy Week.
I collected these resources from the Facebook group I mentioned earlier. I wish I could give credit to the people that developed the resources, but I don’t know who designed them. If credit is not shared on the document, then they were just shared. That is the hope that I see in the world right now. People doing things of others, people they don’t know. Doctors and nurses are putting themselves in risk to care for others; organizations like My Block, My Hood, My City are organized to deliver needed supplies to the city’s most vulnerable. I’m sure you see organizations sharing ideas and resources in your lines of work. I see teachers guiding each other through the experience of remote learning. Religious leaders are doing it too. This virus is bringing people together as much as it is keeping us apart.
Let us pray.
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6 (NRSV)
In Christ,
Pastor Meagan
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From the ELCA
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's Message
During these times of COVID-19/Coronavirus, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton provides some thoughts as many of us are quarantined.
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Missing Our Daily Bread?
Daily Devotional Videos Available
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Our Daily Bread
is now available as a free, daily video series. Millions of faithful people all over the world rely on
Our Daily Bread
for comfort, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of their faith. Sign up to receive their 2-minute daily devotional videos by clicking the link above.
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Acacia Park Community Updates
Lorraine Johnson
, long-time member and mother of Shar Wyatt, passed away at the end of March week. Shar and George are still in Florida. They were able to be with Lorraine before she passed, and Shar said that the nursing home provided a nice memorial service. Something will be planned in Chicago when the Wyatts are safely able to return home. In the meantime, please send notes to:
George and Shar Wyatt
61 Greenbreer Ave., Apt.109
Marco Island, FL 34145
Nancy and Bob Komada
are putting their move to Minnesota on hold until it is safer to travel. You can get in touch with them at:
4129 N. Odell Ave.,
Norridge IL 60706
(708) 465-7253
If you are over 65,
immunocompromised, or have underlying health conditions, please stay in place. Pastor Meagan has a list of people who are offering to run errands. PLEASE get in touch with Pastor Meagan at
pastormeagan@gmail.com
or Dawn at the church office
acaciaparkchurch@gmail.com
, if you need assistance. This is a time when we lean on each other because we want to keep our community healthy. If you need something call, and we will match you with someone to help.
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Allie:
nurse at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Jackie:
nurse
Susan Mari:
medical student
Shar and George Wyatt:
loss of a loved one
Katie, Gene, Sean, Megan:
grocery store employees
Kelly Smith:
nurse
Diana O’Connell:
911 dispatcher
Rich O’Connell:
firefighter
Sheri and Dan LaVigne:
Costco employees
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Psalm 69:16
Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
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4307 N Oriole Avenue, Norridge, IL 60706
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Church office hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
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