September 20th, 2018

Many Hands

Many hands make light work! If you doubted the truth of that proverb, all you needed to do was see our church at work preparing for the hurricane and setting back up afterwards. I lost count of exactly how many folks helped out over the three days we needed it, but it was certainly in the dozens and ranged in age from the young children to some of our oldest members. So many people pitched in one way or another, each according to what they could do. Please know that I am thankful for each and every one of you. It is truly amazing what we can do when we work together for a common goal! Seeing something like how we came together to accomplish something that seemed so daunting makes you understand how a small group of fishermen and the like could change the world and turn it upside down. I pray that we will continue in that renewed spirit of unity and purpose to reach out to our community in the name of the one who called us here!

While the flood waters stopped just shy of impacting the church parking lot and basement (and oh are we thankful they did), several good things came out of all this work. The basement received a thorough cleaning, we reorganized our supplies, we laid out the kitchen in a way more helpful for our cooking and cleaning crews for meals, and even the choir room upstairs that we used to temporarily store things from downstairs got a little more organized. All the while, we had some good fellowship and sharing despite the fatigue, humidity, and stress.

I am thankful for your patience as our leaders discerned the best path through the uncertainty, for your understanding as we finish getting everything back into its rightful place, and for all the dedication and prayers that made the work lighter for us all.

Blessings on the journey, Jim 

Sunday's Sermon Snippet

Conflict: Family Feud (2 Samuel 18)
We left David last week repenting for his sin but knowing that it would bring trouble to his household. Years passed before it would come to fruition. David had many wives with whom he had children. His eldest son Amnon lusted after Tamar, David's daughter by another wife. With the relationship forbidden, Amnon hatched a plan to get Tamar alone and raped her. David heard of what happened and was angry, but he did nothing to bring justice for his daughter. Absalom, Tamar's brother and David's son, was incensed by the lack of justice and began to stew and plot. Two years later, he hatched his own plan to get Amnon to let his guard down at a feast, and he had his servants kill the offender. Absalom then fled and remained away from David for three years. David was angry and would not forgive Absalom his son. David gave neither of his sons what God had given him - accountability and forgiveness. David showed Amnon forgiveness but did not hold him accountable for what he had done, while he held Absalom accountable with no forgiveness. Absalom languished in exile until David finally relented and allowed his return. Yet David would not see him face-to-face. He avoided him for two whole years before receiving his son again. By then it was too late. Absalom, a handsome, charismatic young man, began to undermine David's rule and plotted a coup for four years. He rebelled and claimed the crown for himself, having the popular support of Israel. David fled in humiliation to buy time to collect an army to fight back. Before the battle, David told his generals not to harm Absalom - finally showing some tenderness to his son. In battle, David's army won, and Absalom fled but was caught in the branches of an oak tree by his beautiful hair. David's general had him killed to protect David's rule. David heard the news and cried out "My son Absalom!" repeatedly.

What we learn from all of this is how important it is to settle conflict before it is too late. David cries out for his son in anguish. But what if he had cried it out in love and forgiveness over those eleven years prior? In conflict, we often want to sweep  things under the rug. We ignore the problem and let it fester. We pretend it is not there and try to go on living as if it didn't bother us. We wind up avoiding the other person because it is easier - in the short term, at least - than dealing with the pain of admitting the conflict we have. That is what David did, and it cost him not just one but two sons. It also brought great and terrible consequences for the community around them as they were thrown in war and chaos.
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Handling conflict faithfully means settling it before it's too late. 

Living in Community

Thanks to everyone who helped to prepare for and set back up after the storm this week! A special thanks to our youth for all their hard work, to Chris and Dinah for watching out for the church overnight, to Courtney for bringing snacks, and to Barbara for supplying lunch!

This Week at Port Church

Wednesday, September 19
9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours
6:00 pm - Wednesday at the Port
Potato Bar
6:45 pm - Cantata Practice
Thursday, September 20
9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours
Saturday, September 22
2 pm - Church Work Day
Sunday, September 23
9:30 am - Worship: "Conflict: To the Victor Goes ..."
11:00 am - Sunday School
Join us for our Philippians Bible Study during Sunday School!
5:00 pm - Confirmation Class at Ciro's
Wednesday, September 26
9:00 - 11:45 am - Office Hours
6:00 pm - Wednesday at the Port
Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Harvard Beets, Brownies
6:45 pm - Cantata Practice

Looking Ahead

Nativity Workday - October 6
Nativity - December 14 & 15