Worship Announcements

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PRAYER & THANKSGIVING

  • Pray for Allan & Betsy Poole in the death of Allan’s father, Charles Ray Poole, on April 18.

  • Pray for Terry Risher in the death of his mother, Frances Elsie Risher, on April 20.

  • We rejoice with Alivia & Greg Archer in the birth of their son, Brooks Michael Archer, and their daughter, Maye Erickson Archer, on April 23.

LOVE & SERVE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Gather for worship or Sunday school over zoom - As we strive to stay connected while apart, consider joining others virtually for Sunday morning worship or Sunday school. Details here.

  • Writers Needed - The Lenten reflections continue on into Eastertide! Would you like to write a reflection? More information here.

FINANCES

Special Mission Offering: $28,668
Thank you for your incredible generosity!

March Income Info
July 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020
Actual offerings: $1,149,330
Offering need: $1,235,428
Ahead/(behind): ($86,098)

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 

1 Corinthians 13 is the “Love Chapter,” often read at weddings (remember when those things occurred, with a throng of people in one room??). But that passage in that context, seemingly so right, to me is not quite so. The couple is intoxicated with the aroma of the moment, assuming that their future will always be so aromatic. That’s why I think Allan’s go-to wedding passage (Colossians 3) about forgiveness is more germaine, because as we all know, that fragrance of human love has a shelf-life – the smell, if you will, will turn, and being reminded of the importance of forgiveness is vital. Back to Corinthians: the passage is not about us, but about Christ, the Lord of Love. Taken together, the “Love is” statements are a partial sketch of how Christ lived, what He said, how He related; they comprise a description of the heart of God. They portray the ethos, if you will, of the Kingdom of God. When Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15), this is an example of the “fruit” which we are to bear, to His glory. Almost two decades ago, Allan said that the Church is an “Outpost of the Kingdom of God” – and the room gasped, the image providing clarity. Bill Schaefer promptly wrote the terrific song of the same name, and we are richer for the work of both those men. To borrow from another song, in these days of confused situations – in the midst of angst, seclusion, stress, not to mention sickness and death – in such days, let’s sing a song of visceral joy. As Bill writes, “Our hope rests in God’s compassionate love” – not in the things of our world on which we tend to pin our hopes. We hope in His compassionate love – His patient, kind, forgiving love. His love enables us to be people of hope; His love defines our hope. “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4) – may it be so for us today. He is for you, because He loves you.

He gives us strength through our weakness redeemed;
We share each other’s burdens, for our freedom’s won.
With grateful hearts, we worship our King;
Our lives proclaim His kingdom come!

We are an outpost of the Kingdom,
A living, holy temple of the Lord of All!
We are a lighthouse in the darkness,
A beacon of love for those who hear His call.
He has come!