This Week at Old South Haven Church

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church,

Again, I invite you to join us on Zoom this coming Sunday.  The details are below.

The church will be open this coming Sunday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for any one who would like to sit in the church and meditate and/or pray.

Please mark on your calendar Monday afternoon, August 31st, at 4:00 PM, for an outdoor Meet and Greet with Pastor Glorya Johnson on the church lawn.  We look forward to spending some time with her.

Pastor Ralph will be leading our service for the next three Sundays.  Please see Pastor Ralph's letter to the congregation, which is attached and included below.

Peace Be With You All,

Linda

Sunday Church Zoom Service, August 23, 2020, at 9:45 A. M.

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        ` August 19, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Old South Haven Church,

In a world where attack ads are considered normal, where denigration of opponents are common place, where truth is twisted and openly challenged, I turn to the Scriptures for directions. In the words of a local church sign "If you are tired of fake news, read the Bible". I also read the inspirational words of my fellow Christians….not just Presbyterians, not just social activist Christians, but also conservative colleagues who are good scholars and interpreters of the Scripture. Let me share with you some words of wisdom from a Southern Baptist minister, Pastor Joe McKeever, a native of Alabama and the son of a coal miner. He has also been writing and cartooning for religious publications since the mid-1960s. He begins a recent magazine article with the following quote from Galatians 5:22-23:

Allow me to paraphrase how he develops his thoughts.

The Lord demonstrates gentleness.

Now we knew the Lord was gentle. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said He was, and throughout his earthly ministry that gentleness was on display. He had time for children, for the blind and crippled, the poor and needy.

What a Man. What a Savior. Who would not love such a Lord?

It makes sense that this Lord working within us wants to gentle us, also.

The Lord's Spirit moves into the life of one who has invited Jesus to become his Lord. But the long hard work of sanctification – making us look and act and speak and think like Jesus – Has just begun. It will take the rest of our earthly years.

So the next time we get into a debate with someone who disagrees with us, let us remember the gentleness of our Lord. Gentleness is not cowardice. It is a way of life, a skill which we can learn from the teachings of our Lord. And yes, we can be misunderstood for being gentle and there may be a price to pay. But that is the way of our Lord.

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

Pastor Ralph

Call me, or send me an e-mail with your reflections on this story, as well as your requests for prayer for yourself, your family, and friends.

631-475-3322–office; 631-289-5761–home: e-mail: rbwright1@aol.com.

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Again, this Saturday, August 22, will be joining with the community's "Let's Come Together - BLM/Justice ride" through Bellport & East Patchogue, leaving from Boys & Girls Club at 4 pm.