26 June

pastoral letter
Written By Guest User

Dear Friends,

As you can imagine, Sally and I have been preparing for our move and for the second time in 7 years have been 'downsizing' - i.e. getting rid of stuff. Having to pack up all our possessions to transport them back to the UK provides an opportunity to dispose of excess baggage - things we no longer need, especially when the flat we will be moving into in London is considerably smaller than our spacious apartment here. It's a good discipline. The Bible features people on the move: the Israelites in the desert, the disciples on the road, Paul travelling round the ancient world to evangelise. These were people who had to travel light and could not accumulate 'clutter'. And of course doing this makes you realise the things that really matter and that you need to hold on to - the things that truly enrich life and for which we should be grateful.

Speaking of things that matter and for which we are grateful: many have missed congregational singing during services in the past year and a half. The good news is that there is some easing of this restriction and this Sunday we may return to singing in church. I am aware however that some - especially those who have not yet been vaccinated - may be anxious about this. If you are booked in for Sunday's service and would really rather we do not sing, could you please let me know?

Lastly, one other thing... a couple of years we began a short service of reciting psalms and praying for our city early on Tuesday mornings in the church. The timing always meant that this would only be attended by a very few, and during Covid it has not not continued in the church. We would normally stop this over the Summer, and the small group responsible for the service have decided to suspend it until further notice.

All best wishes for the coming week - and keep safe and well,

Lance


THIS WEEK's PROGRAMME:
Sunday, 10.30 hrs: Morning Worship with a live-streamed service along with a restricted congregation in the church. You can access this just before 10.30 am:

Our reading for this Sunday is Mark 4:35-41, the story of Jesus stilling the storm on the lake.

Sunday, 21.00 hrs: Compline (short evening prayers): Join at: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09 

Wednesday, 19.30 hrs: Bible Study on Zoom. All welcome to join us on: https://zoom.us/j/92316847530?pwd=TjdObHBvcmVTRWM4bWprS2QrenBnQT09

Thursday, 21.00hrs: Compline (short evening prayer): join at: https://zoom.us/j/91386497205?pwd=YUN5dnRLOWlybHDSV250aHdJcnhiQT09

Prayer:

In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. In 'normal' times there was a small group of people in the congregation who used to take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on  margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com  and she and the others will pray accordingly.

A word about finance….
Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website, https://www.erc.amsterdam.

Guest User
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