Weekly updated – 3/28/2021

“He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Sermon Summary:       “No Shame On Us”

In Pastor Terry’s sermon, he shared a story he experienced as a young boy that impacted him as he continued to mature. Getting into a boyhood “scuff” in which he followed the “egging on” of peers, which left him with regret, shame and disappointment that ate away at him. And although he was immediately sorry for the incident, it left him with a terrible memory of “shame” for what he had done. (Re-watch the sermon for Pastor Terry’s own words and message).

I’m sure we’ve all been disappointed in ourselves at one time or another for a choice we’ve made on how we treat others. Instead of reacting in a way Jesus would respond, we often submit to peer influence (i.e., sometimes sin or self-satisfaction.).

Jesus wants us to go to him to direct us, not to “humanly” control our own destiny. Avoiding Jesus in our lives will possibly temporarily help eliminate embarrassment and shame, but it will catch up to us even later. Shame and sin are closely related. Always remember: “WWJD?”

As always, thank you to Janet Montroy for her wonderful musical talents, as well as for those people she has brought to our services to share with our congregation!

Thank you for the return of Beth Valenti, sharing with us her beautiful Mezzo-Soprano of “Let Me Walk You Home” (Heather Sorenson) and “His Strength is Perfect” (Steven Curtis Chapman).

We are very grateful for Boyd Lowry for his video skills which allows our services to be seen by so many.  Thank you, Boyd!

 Pastor Terry’s sermon title,        :“Pick Up Your Mat”

“After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids —– blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, “It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well! Do not sin anymore, so nothing worse happens to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. “

In his sermon, Pastor Terry reminded us that everyone has their own problems in life, including each of us in our congregational family. Most people though, he said, tend not to talk about their problems in public, but rather conceal them under a mask.

Pastor Terry shared the story of an ill man who Jesus came upon in Jerusalem in a place where invalids gathered, including the blind, lame and paralyzed. After 38 years, the man’s problems had become a way of life—much like some problems do in our own lives. No one had ever offered to help the man until Jesus came upon him and learned of his plight.

Unlike the man in this parable, we cannot rely on Jesus to automatically intercede in our lives and cure our problems. Rather, as Pastor Terry offered, we must have the conviction to want to be healed, stop blaming others for our troubles, and go beyond our human existence to seek out God’s help through prayer.

Say a prayer today for someone who you know of who is experiencing problems or facing challenges such as an illness, job loss, or troubled relationship. Ask God to bring them strength and guidance and to walk by their side as they seek to overcome their difficulties through growing in their relationship with Christ.

We are so gifted to be blessed with the music Janet (Montroy) provides us with. And so blessed to have Jody Sinkway sharing her beautiful Mezzo Soprano solos: “Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God” ( Carl Mueller) and “I Must Walk That Lonesome Valley” (Clifford Shaw).

And once again, thank you to Boyd Lowry for his amazing technical abilities so we may be able to share worship together virtually.

“The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God.” William McGill

Please continue to pray for all of our church members and families.  This is a difficult time for almost all of us.  Some of us because of loss and grief, some for health issues and some for other types of challenges.  Most of us are struggling and are comforted to know others are praying for them.

Please continue your special prayers for:   the Mapes/Lange/Glass family; the Sinkway/Emery family; the Strickland family; Kim Briggs, Trudy Carhart, Debbie Azzarone, Anne Allen, Jean Franklin, Bob Freudenrich, Janice Roed, Beryl Ferrari, and Donna Nihen

–      PALM SUNDAY (3/28): Live-streamed Service (10 a.m., or anytime thereafter via the CCGR website or via You Tube)

–       MAUNDY THURSDAY (4/1): Virtual Service (7 p.m.)

–       EASTER SUNDAY (4/4) : Live-streamed Service (10 a.m., or

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Members of the Vision Planning Committee thank those who have shared their ideas about the church and our community through Zoom.

Over the next few weeks, the team will continue to invite groups and individuals to share their ideas. We won’t stop until we hear from everyone.  We hope that when you are contacted, you will be able to find the time to take part. After all, it is the Community Church or, Your Church. Now more than ever, your input will be helpful in shaping the future!

 Join Sara Lowry for our weekly Ageless Grace class- a brain health fitness program.  The zoom link is sent to all members prior to Wednesday.  To learn more about this program please go to agelessgrace.com

Religious Communities of Glen Rock is continuing their weekly messages of hope, unity and healing each week on facebook.com/glenrockinterfaith.  Check it out for inspiration.