From the Pastor's Pen 3/28/23

3/29/2023

Dear Friends,

Recently, I read a book entitled: Hope: A User’s Manual by MaryAnn McKibben Dana. It is one of those I would highly recommend to everyone. This book arose out of the things that Dana and her family learned as her daughter battled debilitating depression.

Hope is one of those things, once it is lost, it is difficult to get back. And this is where the Israelites were as they lived in Babylon, feeling the finality of what they saw as a Dead End for their nation. But Ezekiel brought them a word from God that likened them to a valley full of dry bones to whom God would once again bring life.

We are not unlike the Israelites in that when we encounter a dead end, we have a tendency to lose hope. But, as I said on Sunday, it is in those very moments that God wants us to lift our eyes heavenward in order for us to view Dead Ends as a place where we can watch God at work. Because there is nothing so dead that God cannot bring it back to life. There is no situation of hopelessness into which God cannot restore hope.

This is our Lenten lesson as we head into the last weeks leading up to Easter – no matter how dark it gets, no matter how impossible things look, no matter how final things appear – we must trust God and look not on the circumstances as they appear to us, but rather look forward to seeing how God will work in and through the circumstances of this life. Dead Ends are an opportunity for restoration when God is involved. Life can be breathed into situations that look hopeless. It may seem dark and hopeless today, but resurrection is coming.

A reminder for those unable to join us in-person, Sunday morning worship is livestreamed on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresFirstPresbyterianChurch. The service airs each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and will be available to watch after that as well.

This will be my last Pastor’s Pen before my first surgery on April 5, after which I will be off work for 4-6 weeks for recovery. During that time, you can keep track of my recovery and ways in which you can support my family and I here: https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/V5A7Q4H. I will also be blogging at various times about this journey and you can find that blog at www.princesschrisy.com. Thanks for the continuing prayers and support!

While I am out recovering from surgery, if something comes up we want you to know who to contact. Your session will be available to you as needed, and they will also have access to area pastors who will be available to provide pastoral care in my absence. In addition to the Session, you may also contact Pam Winstead at (251) 978-8130.

Resource Management Team
(Property, Personnel, Finance)
Billy Adcock (251) 500-1429
Sandy Moody (251) 223-1978

Spiritual Team
(Christian Education, Worship)
Thelma Considine (912) 604-0267
Lorrie Palmer (251) 288-1861

Social Team
(Communication, Fellowship, Mission, Outreach)
Michael Ennen (618) 980-9897
Suzanne Trice (251) 656-3060
 
Even though our full-time rental spaces are full, we continue to work on ways in which we can create spaces to support small businesses in our community.

Please note that if you enter through the east doors to the building that the people in the Hand-in-Hand Business Center are there to work and do their jobs, so please be quiet and respectful of their time and space. If you need to enter the building and do not have a key, please come to the north entrance near the turquoise picnic tables and ring the bell for the office, rather than disturbing the business center tenants. Thank you for your cooperation.

Don’t forget:

• If you know of those who need a place to park during their visit to Gulf Shores and they would like to use our parking lot, here is the link to share: https://www.premiumparking.com/P2658. You can also pick up postcards at the church to pass on to those who might be interested. If you have contacts at a rental company or a particular condo, feel free to pass this information along to them now that we are headed into busy season.
• Keep collecting that loose change and bring it every week to add to the collection! All of the loose change will go toward the ongoing ministry of the church, as we continue to spread the life-changing good news of God’s love.
• The church can now receive donations through Facebook, either by clicking on the “Donate” button on our Facebook Page, or through Fundraisers you can host on your own Facebook page.
• If you have more ideas about how we can creatively fund the ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, reach out and let me know!
• For safety reasons, at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday, all the doors of the building will be locked EXCEPT the north door that leads into the narthex. If you find yourself running behind, just remember to park up front by that door and enter there.
• Bring your Blessing Box donations (non-perishable items) to church on Sundays or drop them off at the box during the week.

Weekly Events:

• Dinner and Discussion – Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall – bring a dish to share
• Chair Yoga led by Donna Holmes – final two classes: Wednesday, March 29, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Tuesday, April 4, 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
• Bible Study will meet this Wednesday, then will be on temporary hiatus – Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. both in-person and on Zoom.
  • Join the in-person group in the church Fellowship Hall
  • Join the Zoom meeting at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81951398375?pwd=S0FBSEFxRmhhUWt2QnN3WERUY1dOUT09, entering the meeting ID and password below, if prompted.
  • Meeting ID: 819 5139 8375; Passcode: 846358
  • This week’s scriptures: Isaiah 50:409a; Psalm 31:9-16; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 26:14-27:54
• Final Craft ‘n’ Chat for Spring 2023 will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor – bring something you enjoy doing (yarn crafts, jewelry making, coloring, or anything else) and hang out with Pastor Chrisy for open conversation and creative time together.

As always, you are welcome to reach out to me via email, text or phone with any needs or just to chat!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
 
Rev. Chrisy Ennen
gsfpcpastor@outlook.com, (618) 980-9899
"Let all that you do be done in love.”
I Corinthians 16:14