Friday, May 10
A Note from Pastor Amy…
This Sunday, we will be celebrating communion. We will drink wine and break bread as a community remembering the presence of Christ in our lives. In preparation for Sunday, I found a prayer written by Sharlande Sledge. I share it hoping that it will speak to you and through you. Looking to Sunday, let us remember that the table of Christ is for all God’s children.
“Bread” by Sharlande Sledge
Nourishing God,
You ate bread with friends
And multiplied it for five thousand people.
You described your kingdom as yeast.
You claimed for yourself the identity of bread.
You gave your body to be broken for the world.
Often we eat our meals without smelling the aroma of fresh loaves leaving the oven.
We buy flour to make our bread,
But seldom walk the land that produced the grain,
While many in the world still gather raw grains each day.
They plant, pick, and grind their harvest
And shape the dough into tortillas,
Chapatis, loaves, pitas, rolls.
They feel the flour, the meal,
Or the corn between their fingers,
Literally touching their daily bread.
Bread of Life,
Give us a taste of tender bread from your trable.
Move the deepest parts of our spirits to compassion
For our brothers and sisters
Throughout this whole wide earth
Who are praying for rain for their crops,
Buying and cooking only what their family needs for today,
And waiting for the nourishment that will sustain them.
We are bound to them in our humanity
And in our hunger for you.
Break our hearts as bread for the world.
Peace,
Pastor Amy
What’s happening this weekend at First Presbyterian?
Sunday
Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.
“When necessary, use words” Luke 24:13-35
Communion and Bible Presentation Sunday
Adult Education
Pastor Amy is leading an 8 week study on the book of Galatians. We have 4 weeks left. We are using the work of renowned New Testament scholar, N. T. Wright. We hope you can join us for this interesting look at Paul and the early church.
Please keep in prayer
Jane McMurchy at University of Iowa Hospitals, First Church family members recovering at home from surgery and illness, our shut-ins, children, youth and teachers as another school year comes to a close.