Announcements
Book Study | The Color of Compromise: the Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, by Jemar Tisby. Thursdays, July 16-Aug. 20, 7:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Bethany Bonnemere and David Dunderdale will lead this book study. Learn more here.
Congo Conversation Group | Saturdays, July 18, August 1, 15, 29, 8-8:45 a.m. Join us for a unique opportunity to learn from our brothers and sisters in Congo and deepen our relationship with them as we read together and discuss a series of articles that speak to current issues and generate meaningful conversation on the theme of Health and Society. Learn more here.
Listening in the Wilderness with Jesus: A Time of Prayer & Fasting for Repentance & Healing
Fridays in July | Details Here
The elders on Session and the pastors are inviting the congregation to join them as they enter into a fast with our Young Adults. Each Friday for the month of July you are invited to fast for lunch and to spend that time in prayer. In this time of fasting we are asking God to reveal what he is doing in each one individually, what he is doing in the Church, in our nation, and in the world. It is a time of prayer for individual and corporate repentance, particularly around the issue of racism. It is asking God to answer the question, “What can we do?”
Prayer & Thanksgiving
International Missions Prayer July Missionary Prayer Guide | View Here
Please pray for Stephen Crupi. Normally, “Stephen Crupi is teaching [biblical studies] at Bishop Allison Theological College … a college designed to support the South Sudanese churches by providing theological education for local pastors and church leaders. The majority of pastors in South Sudan (pictured in title) have not received any formal biblical education. …. Due to the present conflict in South Sudan, Bishop Allison has temporarily moved to Arua district in northwestern Uganda and is serving the South Sudanese refugees who are currently living in Uganda.” But, days ago, he wrote, “We're still waiting to hear from the Ugandan government when we will be allowed to start [due to Covid]. I do miss seeing my students. But I still do have many things to do here.” Prayer requests: (1) safety for the students and their families who are in refugee camps; (2) peace for South Sudan (3) the formation of a transitional government which will lead to security and justice for all; (4) academic and spiritual growth for faculty and students; (5) Stephen’s Luganda language study.
Please pray for the Durham Rescue Mission (DRM) as they offer people hope in the face of homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction. Please pray for:
Ernie and Gail Mills, the founders and directors of DRM, as they provide leadership.
Protection from COVID-19 in the residence facilities at DRM. Pray for the residents and staff to be protected from getting the virus.
Hearts to be open to receive the gospel as they enter and go through the programs at the Mission.
Those who are in need would turn to DRM and find Christ there.
Finance | Give Here
Our fiscal year ended on June 30. Our total offerings were around $1,690,000 (100.2% of budget), and our expenses will finish around $1,570,000 (93% of budget). The difference of around $120,000 will be transferred to the Future Vision Fund.
We are thankful to God for providing for our needs. We rejoice in the generosity of our congregation in these uncertain times. Please pray for our leadership to make wise decisions in all aspects of our church life.
There are multiple ways to give to Blacknall:
Checks mailed to the church office.
Automatic bank drafts as a part of bill pay directed to Blacknall using your local bank.
Gifts of stock. Contact Rick Every or Carol Smith.
Online giving (including ACH, debit card, and credit card donations). Members can also schedule recurring online gifts when signed on to CCB. Details here.
About the Music
When Marva Dawn wrote the lyrics for “Come Away from Rush and Hurry,” we were living in the BC era – before Covid. I saw myself in her imagery contained in several words: rush, hurry, vain, frenzied pace. The call to find our rest in the Lord is just as appropriate in these days, so very fractured by the virus and our internecine societal conflicts. But if life is not frenzied right now, what is it that I am to “come away from”? Thinking of that, I made a few changes to her lyrics. “Come away from” – anxious worry, for starters, not at all helped by our isolation. The act of turning toward the face of God in song is uniting – “come to join the Kingdom’s people.” The oil of His anointing is a fragrant mortar – we who drink the living water, who “taste and see that the Lord is good,” are united as The People Whose Cups Runneth Over. We abide, with heads dripping oil, in the shadow of God’s wings. He invites us to bring our burdens and fears and exchange them for His gifts of rest and hope. Imagine our Lord saying, “Come to Me, all you who are anxious, fearful and in pain – I will give you hope, and rest.” Soli Deo Gloria.
Come away from anxious worry to the stillness of God’s peace;
From temptation’s shackles, hurry – come to God and find release.
Come away from noise and clamor, life’s demands in fearful time;
Come to join the Kingdom’s people, seeking grace and hope sublime.
In the pastures of God’s goodness we lie down to rest our soul.
From the waters of His mercy we drink deeply, are made whole.
As we gather in God’s presence all the saints are richly fed.
With the oil of God’s anointing into service we are led.
Come, then, children, with your burdens, life’s confusions, fears and pain.
Leave them at the cross of Jesus; take instead His kingdom’s reign.
Bring your thirsts, for He will quench them, living water will provide.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in Your shadow we abide.