June 17, 2021
A Note From Pastor Dave
Our scriptures for this Sunday affirm a sense of God’s goodness, power, and order that are always true, though sometimes out of our view. Psalm 33 acclaims God’s power and order, that all is under control. And the gospel reading is of Jesus calming the storm. In the image above, Jesus is asleep before being awakened by the disciples’ panic. And what Jesus demonstrates in that moment is that despite the rolling waves, chaos, and threat, God is in control, and Jesus can easily speak to that chaos and make it still.
So, in contrast to this past week’s sermon and its expression of deep lament and crying out, this Sunday’s focus is on the expression of confidence and hope, and the faith that God is ultimately in control. God is ultimately the most powerful and capable. When might we sing such a song of confidence and what does it do for us? That will be our topic for Sunday. I hope you will join us.
Upcoming Change for Dana and an Update on the Hiring Process.
Dana has announced her intent to retire from her position as music director at the end of the summer. This is a big change, and we will be sure to find ways to honor her and mark this transition. In the meantime, Pastor Dave will be working with the worship committee to do a review of the position, seeking to understand all that Dana has done over the years that we may or may not be aware of. We will be meeting with and having conversation with Dana and Tara Strohm. From those conversations we will update the job description and terms, and proceed accordingly to seeking candidates to fill the position. We will keep you updated on how the process unfolds. If you have questions or concerns, you can voice them to myself, John Kullman, Cassie Bennett, or Bill Bennett.
Our COVID Protocols Have Been Updated!
Providence has returned to in-person worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 9:30am with precautions in place. The service will also continue to be shared live over Zoom and posted to the website by Monday morning as well for those uncomfortable with or unable to join in-person.
In keeping with the changes recommended by the CDC and Douglas county, The Session of Providence has made the following updates to our COVID protocols:
- Masks will no longer be required. We do advocate for and support personal discretion as some may choose to continue wearing masks.
- Unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to continue wearing a mask.
- We will continue to show respect and sensitivity to each other’s preferences and comfort levels.
- We will continue our current cleaning practices and protocols.
- If you are not feeling well, please be cautious and stay home.
- We will continue to observe social distancing. More chairs have been added to the sanctuary while still maintaining space between groups. We will continue to monitor capacity needs and preserve this spacing as much as possible.
- Small groups and committees may meet in person and unmasked subject to the preferences of the group.
- The above apply to all groups who may use the church.
If you have any questions about the update in protocols please contact Pastor Dave or a member of session.
Food Drive for the Parker Task Force
Thank you to everyone who has supported our food collections for the PTF! It is so important that we continue to support families in need during these challenging times. Our next food drive for the Task Force will be Sunday, June 20th. If you are participating in the service via ZOOM, donations can be brought in after the service between 10:30 and 11:30am. A list of their current needs can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Thank you for your continued support of this important ministry.
Coffee and Conversation
Our next meeting will be on 6/22/21 at Providence Presbyterian Church at 9am. We enjoy fellowship, and we continue conversation around the sermon, related scriptures or a poem. It is a chance to get to know each other more, and to grow together. Are you free on Tuesday morning at 9am? Then, come join the fellowship and conversation!
Wanted: A/V Volunteers!
Do you enjoy working with Audio/Video? Want to learn? It’s easier thank you think. Signup to be a volunteer to help run the A/V system for Sunday Services. If interested, please contact Rob Krause or the church office.
No Godly Play In July
During the month of July there will not be any Sunday School/Godly Play offered as Cassie, our CE Director, is taking a month off to help care for her goats. There will be Children’s Bulletins and sanitized colored pencils available in the Narthex for any children that do come. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to Cassie our CE Director or the church office.
King Soopers Fundraiser
It’s now easier than ever to support Providence Presbyterian Church when you shop at King Soopers and City Market! Simply register your King Soopers/City Market loyalty rewards cards and link it to support Providence. Then King Soopers will donate to us based on the purchases of our supporters. If you don’t already have a rewards card, they are available at the customer service desk of any King Soopers or City Market. Here’s how to link your King Soopers/City Market loyalty rewards card to support Providence:
- Login to your King Soopers or City Market account (or create an account) at www.kingsoopers.com or www.citymarket.com.
- Click on Savings & Rewards, then King Soopers Community Rewards, then Enroll Now.
- Search for Providence Presbyterian Church or enter our organization number YJ207 and click Enroll.
Your King Soopers/City Market loyalty card will be linked to Providence and you’ll be helping us every time you shop! Please contact the church office if you have any questions.
2021 Per Capita Assessment
Per Capita is one way we support the larger Presbyterian church as well as the local Presbytery, and it is a way we express our connectedness as the larger Church. This supports administrative expenses as well as a portion for the General Assembly. This assessment is based on the number of members at $32 per member, and paid by the church. If you would be willing to help with the cost of our assessment by contributing this for each member of your family, we would be most appreciative. Please make your check payable to the church, and put in the memo: Per Capita.
Prayers
This week at Providence please keep the following people in your prayers:
Family of John Price, Tara Strohm, Jim and Judy Nash, Laurie Schmidt, Paul White, Betty Holum, Ken Stabler, Phyllis Christensen, John Price, Pat Schwartz, Renee Mastriona, Dave Mosca, Gary Scott, Joyce Kessler, Lea Marot, Kay Norden, Father of Dana Pease, Connor McGoff, Robert McCown, Caley Edwards, Evelyn, Catherine Buzby, Mayra Williams, Betty Lutz, Sherry Flohr and Bruce Schwartz. We would also ask you to keep those suffering from COVID-19 in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers.
Phone: 720-851-6881
MidWeek Update Deadline:
NOON on Tuesday
ppcmwu@providencepcusa.org
Hearing Loop is available in our Sanctuary
MidWeek Scripture Reflection
Psalm 33
1Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. 2Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. 8Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 13The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. 14From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—15he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. 16A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. 18Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. 21Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Mark 4:35-41
35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
