Sunday Service Bulletin:

A .pdf version of the Sunday bulletin can be found HERE.

Sunday KidsChurch Bulletins:

For ages 3+ click HERE.

For ages 7+ click HERE.

It’s Harder Than We Expected

It’s harder than we expected. This has been the conversation in our house this week, between Sandi and I, between us and the kids. In this second week of November, which has been unhelpfully rainy, we have been feeling the weight of it all.

Coronavirus numbers are escalating quickly in many parts of the country. It seems now that nearly all of us have a personal story, a family member, or close friend, who has battled this virus. Many of us also know someone who has not made it through.

The challenges of virtual school persist. The kids are bored and frustrated with computers as their only medium to their classmates and their` teachers. Us parents are extremely thankful for our work, which we believe to be worthwhile, and we are thankful for our jobs and the income they allow. But the endless multitasking, and only accomplishing most things half-well makes guilt an ever-present companion.

This is hard, harder than we expected. And knowing we have a likely cold and dark winter ahead only makes things worse. 

Jude and I went to get a haircut last week – his first non-parent haircut since February. The lady who runs the kid-friendly salon we frequented pre-covid said she may not be able to keep things going past December. Please pray for Jenie. She is kind, does good work, and is sad about the future of her business.

It’s harder than we expected. A month or two of interrupted life we were prepared for. Today is number 228 since the March 30th Maryland stay-home order.

To top things off we cannot even worship together, cry on one another’s shoulder, or give a hug to help get through. Many of the normal, healthy ways of coping with tragedy, are now options we don’t have.

Maybe you have shared some of the above sentiments recently, or your own stories of family worries, beloved businesses affected, or sadness at our distance.

It is OK to say its harder than we expected. It is. And we need one another more than ever, to share our stories, compassion, and concern, along with a healthy dose of remembering that God is still in control.

Lord, hear our prayers, today. Mine, and all of ours. Our hearts are heavy. Our world is broken. It’s harder than we expected. Lord deliver us on this day, and make us to see that you are the God of today, as well as the other side of this pandemic. We give thanks that while we are worried, Lord, you are not. For you hold our future in your hands. Your kingdom continues to come even now, despite the helplessness we feel.

Grant us moments of joy amidst these days. Give the comfort of your Spirit. May Christ our Lord carry us, and may we still find the energy and time to keep doing good in his name. Amen.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh