Dear Friends

Please plan to join us for worship this Sunday, August 1, for in-person worship, but only if you feel comfortable doing so. It is mask mandatory for everyone. (We’ll also have some sort of Zoom presence). We have as our guest preacher a distinguished theologian, pastor, and seminary professor, also a UCC minister, whom I have known for almost 35 years. Dr. Justin Tanis is going to preach about the Good Samaritan story as related in Luke 10:25-37.

We won’t be singing hymns this Sunday yet, though we may have a soloist do this for us: “Were you there when I needed a neighbor” by the same composer of other familiar favorites like Lord of the Dance and in the same style. The words to the hymn are a modern retelling of the story, and many churches will be using it:

1. When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?

Refrain:
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
were you there?

2. I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? [Refrain]

3. I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there? [Refrain]

4. When I needed a shelter, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter, were you there? [Refrain]

5. When I needed a healer, were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there? [Refrain]

6. Wherever you travel I’ll be there, I’ll be there,
wherever you travel I’ll be there. [Refrain]

One way to prepare for worship this week is to read the text like a prayer a few times and to listen to one of the many versions available on the internet. Here’s one: https://youtu.be/pXiHcpsMJxs.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday, in person or on Zoom.

Yours in faith and hope,
Rev. Jim Mitulski

P.S. Every member’s birthday is important to remember, and there’s been a little slippage in our celebrations during Covid time, I want to draw particular attention this week to Lee Lamkin on her birthday (July 28th). She is truly a remarkable pillar of our church, and we want to especially wish her many more birthdays!