Fourth Sunday of Easter

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6

One of our Hebrew Bible has written that the words “shall follow me” in verse 6 are a weak translation of the Hebrew. It should be more like “shall pursue me”. Surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life.

We have heard in these last weeks how Jesus finds the disciples, searches for them, calls them into new vocations of teaching and service. In the Gospel for Sunday, Jesus says that the sheep recognize the voice of the good shepherd, and they follow him.

Sadness and isolation and suffering do not last. Faith lasts. Hope lasts. Love lasts. Christians remind one another of the things that last. We do that with our presence (even on Zoom!) and our words.

Peace services include many voices singing, praying, leading parts of the liturgy, reading. Your individual voices bring God’s spirit to the rest of us. Thank you for being present at our services.

This week Abigail Jonczyk, Kathryn Welter and Libby Jonczyk are our musicians. Dave Melvin is assisting minister.

Libby and Abigail will sing the hymns for us. Sing along at home if you want, or listen quietly and meditate on the words.

Remember that if you are not muted, the rest of us hear what you say, even private conversations 🙂 You can mute yourself.

Following the service children are invited into two Zoom meetings, one for our younger children and one for our middle school students. Parents, you could make the process of moving you and your children to Zoom by replying to this email and telling me that your child will be there. And, after the service, raise your Zoom hand so that I can see that you want to enter a faith formation room.

Continue to reach out to others. This is a good time to call someone you might not know well. Get to know them in a phone call!

If you or someone you know needs something, call Pastor Johnson’s cell 978/460-1118.

Sometime today or in the next two days-Sunday would be the most appropriate day-I ask all of you to make an offering to Peace, online or by mailing a check to the church. Your offerings are gifts of thanksgiving to God. They come from your heart of faith.

-If you have lost your job or are furloughed, adjust your estimate of giving for the year accordingly.

-A number of you have already given beyond your estimate. Thank you.

-Friends from around the country have donated, one or two have given very generously. Thank you.

-Some of you send one check for the month. Kirsten and I do this.

-Paula Colburn comes to church every two weeks to deposit checks and pay bills. I cannot thank Paula enough for what she has done for Peace in these past months.

-Thank you, each one of you, for keeping our family of faith healthy.

Click here to give online

Peace Church and Community Arts
107 Concord Road
Wayland, MA 01778

Our vegetable garden awaits! Gardeners are welcome to prepare part of the garden for your own plants. Come any time-best to come alone-to weed and prepare the soil for planting.