This Week at Old South Haven Church

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church:

It is with pleasure that I announce that Rev. Glorya Johnson will be coming to Old South Haven Church to be our Pastor starting on September 13th. You should be receiving a letter with more details about Rev. Johnson shortly.

Rev. Wright will continue to be with us until the end of August. Please see his letter to the congregation, which is attached and also pasted below.

The Committee to Reopen the Church is working on a plan. The church is to be open from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday afternoons for those who would like to pray or meditate in the church.

Please join us this coming Sunday for a Zoom Church Service--the details are below.

God Bless,

Linda

You are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Zoom Service

Time: Aug 9, 2020 09:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

Passcode: 092003

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Meeting ID: 242 554 4200

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` August 5, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church,

Allow me to share with you the meditation I had with the Yaphank Fire Department this week.

9/11 & Corona Virus Commemoration

September 11, 2001, a day now etched in history. Thousands lost their lives when two planes were crashed into New York's World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a fourth, headed for Washington D.C. fell short in a Pennsylvania field. We fire personnel where there, maybe not at the time of impact but for months afterwards providing support to those working in the pit. The price our men and women of this region and our nation paid is much more than the 3,000 plus who died in the collapsed World Trade Center…the hundreds, nay thousands who have had their lives shortened by inhaling the fumes and dust of the collapsed buildings.

We come now to the year 2020, a year which too will be etched in history. Over 150,000 have lost their lives to the Corona Virus Pandemic. Another almost five million have contracted the disease, including two members of our department, Chuck Mapes and Jonathan Steeckler. They have recovered, but we all feel their pain. We too have been in harm's way, risking our health as we responded to the crises and needs of our community.

Just as the senseless attacks destroyed buildings and our feelings of security, and the disease created distress and pain, these acts also threatened our concept of a loving God.

We are led to ask the question, Where was God in those critical moments that meant the difference between life and death for so many? He was there. He was with those who lived and those who died, hearing every prayer. He felt the anguish of every person suffering in confused darkness and silence.

Please take a moment now in quiet meditation to explore and personally discover or deepen your understanding of the God who cares and to remember those who died on September 11, 2001 and in this year 2020 plus all those who have served our nation since then and continue to serve in our armed forces, or as first responders, or as essential medical and support staff or in other operations.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains, to the prairies,

to the ocean white with foam.

God bless America, My home sweet home.

And God bless everyone here and their families and our community. Amen.

***************************************

Remember to join us for a virtual worship service this Second Sunday of August on Zoom.

Pastor Ralph

631-475-3322–office; 631-289-5761–home: Others may answer but they will put you through.