Dear Chapel Members and Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Christ. The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 1:2-6
March has been a very long month!
Sunday, March 8 was when we last gathered together for worship in the chapel. I miss seeing you all and being with you all. The body of Christ gathered continues to be the church wherever we find ourselves! For three Sundays we enthusiastically built momentum with our Vital Congregations sermon series and Bible study. This series is now on hiatus but the lessons from three of the seven marks of Vital Congregations are being put into practice:
- Lifelong Discipleship Formation continues with a new online series as we study Paul’s letter to the Philippians with Prof. N.T. Wright as our online scholar.
- Authentic Intentional Evangelism is needed more than ever. People are anxious, fearful and worried about many things in the face of this pandemic. May this crisis give us opportunities to share the reason for own hope and joy and peace. I had one request for a Bible this week and thought maybe others are looking for comfort in God’s word so I left Bibles at the Pacific Beach and Moclips post offices for others to take.
- Outward Incarnational Focus reminds us of our call to be a Matthew 25 church
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me. Matt. 25:35-36. The chapel continues to support the Coastal Harvest Food Bank and the Pacific Beach Food Bank financially and in person on the third Tuesday every month. The hungry are being fed. We also bring our chapel hamper with clothing, blankets and sundry items sharing God’s love in the ministry of presence.
To Be Continued… Vital Marks 4 through 7 will be taken up at another time. For now we have the cross of the coronavirus to bear and what that means for our future health and well-being. For now we continue to be faithful and vital in our prayers, in our giving, and in our caring.
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY
Let petitions and praises shape our worries into prayers, letting God know our concerns. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
Daily prayers are even more important during this time of Lent. Who knew we’d be giving up in-person worship for Lent!
My new spiritual practice is to enter the empty chapel every day, light the Christ candle and pray The Lord’s Prayer.
For Sunday Worship – I commend the Presbytery of Olympia website www.olypres.org for a list of churches which are live streaming worship. There are so many online worship sites where we can be inspired and be one in the Spirit. Create your own worship space, remember Jesus’ words, “God is spirit, and those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24
For Bible Study – Chapel by the Sea small groups are getting together via Zoom or conference call on Sunday afternoon to discuss our online study of Philippians. If you’d like to join in let me know. CHAPEL PRAYER LIST – Gracious God for those known to us and for those known only to you.
Lord in your mercy…
Lee Marriott, recovering from heart attack(s) and surgery now back home!
Jim Adkins, chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer
Penny Adkins recovering strength to help husband Jim
Bobbi Ray suffering from MS awaiting disability help
Kristy Preheim that health may be restored
Jeff, son-in-law of Phyllis Shaughnessy
Suzanne, Tavia, Tara, Kim, Becky Gilbertson, Aubrey, Terry, Patti, Doug and Betty, Pammi
Chapel session members: Ed, Cindy, Connie, Lee, Rob, Margaret
God deliver us from this time of coronavirus as we pray for the sick and infected ones, bring healing, and protect health care workers on the frontlines: we are thankful for their vocation as they present their bodies as a living sacrifice…hear our prayer. We pray together while apart…
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen
In Christ’s Ministry,
Pastor Linda
Manse land line 360.276.8143
Mailing address: P O Box 194, Pacific Beach, WA 98571