Eastertide 2020
Dear Grace Church family and friends;
Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord! I trust you are safe and well. In the midst of Covid-19 pandemic a beloved hymn comes to mind, “In Times Like These”. It was written in 1943, Ruth Jones, a pastor’s wife in Pennsylvania and the mother of five, was distressed by the headlines of her Pittsburgh newspaper, she wrote the words:
In times like these we need a Savior;
In times like these we need an anchor.
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
Yes, our hope is in Christ the solid rock, who will see us through. My pastoral encouragement as you continue to ‘shelter in’ is to hear; “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”. Psalm 46:10
As for Grace Church, we continue to meet virtually, available for those on computer or phone. The invitation goes out using a ZOOM meeting App. You are welcome to join us for Worship, Sunday School or Morning Prayer during the week. This virtual connection is a great witnessing opportunity for you to pass the invitation along to family or friends who are struggling and needing to know of our Hope in Christ Jesus.
Going forward as a Church with what is being called a ‘new normal’, I have sad news to pass on to you. On April 24, I received communication from Bishop Gillin that I have attached to this letter, that Deacon Bob Appleton has retired from the Clergy roles of the Reformed Episcopal Church. That announcement means that Bob will no longer be serving as Deacon at Grace Church. It is unfortunate to hear of this decision, yet we are most honored by Bob’s many years of service to our Church especially as Deacon for the past 7 years. We ask God’s blessing of grace for Bob and Pam as they move on from our congregation. We also want to thank Pam for her years of faithful bookkeeping service with our financial giving. They will be missed.
Lastly, even though we are a virtual church, our Vestry faithfully continues to oversee the budget and care for our facility. Please send you offerings and tithes to our PO Box 92, Havre de Grace. 21078
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Mark Specht