May 04th, 2016

In a People House

Last week, we opened up the house to enjoy the mild spring weather. The windows were already open, and we left the back door partially open to allow more of a cross-wind through the house. As I sat at the kitchen table working on the tasks of the day, I heard a fluttering noise. Looking up, I saw as a dove flew through the door and into our kitchen. It only took a moment for the confused bird to realize that it wandered into a place that it certainly didn't belong. It hovered in the air for moment, turning this way and that, trying to figure out how it gotten in so that it could make an exit. Watching this unfold, I began to stand up wondering how in the world I was going to get this bird out of the house if it couldn't find its own way out. At that moment, the dove finally saw the path of light that led back out and it swiftly flew through the door, into the yard, and far down our block as if it wanted to get as far away from that traumatic place as possible.

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you did not belong - a place where you were confused, afraid, and just looking for a way back out? Perhaps it wasn't even a physical place but just a situation in life or a difficult emotional state. May God help you find the doorway through the difficult times in your life!

​Blessings on the journey, Jim

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On-the-Job Training

Sunday's Sermon Snippet: Skilled by God's Provision
(Exodus 35:30-36:7)
God has prepared amazing things for us to do in the name of Jesus Christ, and God has given us Scripture and spiritual gifts so that we will be ready to do them. Yet doing good works still often requires special knowledge or skills, and not all of us have what is needed to meet a particular need in the community. When the Israelites were in the wilderness and began to build the tabernacle, several artisans were selected to lead the effort because they had the skills and knowledge to do it well. While they had certainly worked hard over many years to learn their craft, Moses claimed that their skills were gifts breathed into them by God's Spirit. The rest of the community gave an overwhelming offering to supply all the needs the artisans had. In this way, the work - although entrusted to those to whom God had given skills - became the work of the whole community. As we work together using the skills God has given us and supplying the needs of those who are working on our behalf, we make use of all that God has provided to do the good works prepared for us to do.  

Responding to God's Call
Reflect on what skills, interests, and experiences God has provided you that you could use to do good. What is the most enjoyable work you have done?

Looking Ahead
Join us this Sunday as we explore how we are "Loved by God" to do the good works God has prepared for us!

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Living in Community

Thanks to everyone who helped raise $1,085 in support of AVA Care!

Prayers of Christian sympathy for Bruce on the loss of his mother last week.

Prayers of Christian sympathy for the Kerry, Lee, and their family on the loss of their sister/aunt.

Thanks to Dinah for leading our prayers in worship this past Sunday!

Thanks to Meg, Chris, and Keith for helping to serve communion!

This Week at Port Church

Wednesday, May 4
9:30 am - 2:00 pm - Office Hours
Youth Group cancelled

Thursday, May 5
9:30 am - 12:00 noon - Office Hours

Sunday, May 8
9:30 am - Worship Service: "Loved by God"
11:00 am - Sunday School

Looking Ahead

VBS Training - May 22, 12:30 pm, South River Elementary
Praise in the Park with Confirmation and Graduate Recognition - June 5, 10 am
Vacation Bible School - June 27-July 1​​