In this E-pistle

A Rich Book
What Language Shall We Borrow?
Reminders for April Fools and Others

“A rich book which many will come to value highly,” is how one critic describes Joe Hill’s new book, John Calvin “ Suffering: Understanding the love of God.” I have been fortunate enough to read an early copy of the book and can tell you that it is an important book that touched me heart and mind. Joe’s selection of material from Calvin is wise and discerning and his commentary is so well written that you sometimes forget just how significant and weighty the issues raised are. I recommend the book highly for any of us who have ever wondered about the reality of suffering in our lives and world and the promise of God’s sustaining love. Indeed, a rich book. A limited supply of Joe’s book (many already spoken for!) will be available in the church library this Sunday, and word has it that the author will be available to sign your copy.

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In this E-pistle:
FIRST FOOD AND FRIENDS – REMEMBERING WHO WE ARE
WE’VE A STORY TO TELL
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Park’s First Food and Friends Saturday is tomorrow (meet at the church no later than 8:15 a.m.; call John Carr for details). In my Extra! Extra! Read All About It (click here) posting yesterday, I referenced the law of gleaning from Deuteronomy 24. Gleaning – leaving the margin of the field unharvested – was demanded of the people entering the Promised Land as and act of justice and an act of remembering. The grain left at the edges of the field was to be used by the alien, the fatherless and the widow. The abundance of the land is a gift from God, and while the worker of the land was to reap its benefits, God reserved a portion for those who had no land to work. It was a matter of justice. It was also a matter of remembering. “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this,” God said. Our work at First Food and Friends is always a privilege as we serve our guests. It is also a matter of justice. These “marginal” people have a just claim to a portion of the abundance of the land. And it reminds us of who we are: unworthy recipients of God’s amazing grace. Why not join the First Food crew tomorrow morning?

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Immigration policy is one of the hot topics on the political agenda these days. The Senate begins debate next week on a variety of proposals to reform current immigration policies and practices. Among the difficult issues faced by the senators will be that of finding ways to deal with the problems and opportunities associated with illegal immigration.

One provision of a proposed bill would criminalize certain forms of assistance to illegal immigrants. There are different interpretations of exactly what that means. The Catholic bishops, for instance, argue that it could make illegal the kind of humanitarian aid many churches provide at shelters and soup kitchens, while others say that the provision is aimed at the traffickers of illegal aliens who ruthlessly exploit desperate men and women.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has weighed in on the matter saying , “It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself.” (Read all about it) And here is a different interpretation of the issue: Read all about it.

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In this E-pistle:

HAPPY SAINT PAT’S
HOME FROM THE FRONT
GENERATION TO GENERATION

Did you remember to wear green today? How ever you celebrate the “Irish” holiday, happy Saint Pat’s Day. Saint Patrick (though never officially canonized by the Catholic Church) is a fascinating historical character who had nothing to do with driving the snakes (which were never there in the first place) from Ireland. Patrick was a godly man used greatly by God in Fifth Century Ireland. Patrick was born in what is now southern Scotland and kidnapped at age 16 and forced to go to Ireland. But God had other plans in mind for him. You can read Patrick’s Confession here: Saint Patrick’s Confession to get a feel of his life from his own hand.

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In this E-pistle:

DON’T BELIEVE THE THERMOMETER
THE COLOR PURPLE
A JAR OF SOUP, A DAY OF COLLEGE
SOMETHING NEW A PARKCHURCH.ORG

The forecasters are calling for temperatures in the mid-60’s tomorrow. Crocuses are blooming in sunny places and daffodils are thinking about it. But don’t believe the thermometer, we’ve got ten more days of winter – and this is Western Pennsylvania. What better way to say farewell to winter than lacing up your skates, taking to the ice and falling flat on your whatever? The youth group is inviting ALL Park members AND THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS to an end-of winter skating time at the Brady’s Run Ice Arena. You need to be at the Arena at 3:30 to pay the group rate of only $2.50 + $.50 for skate rental. Come to skate, come to visit, come to enjoy the last days of winter!

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