The Bugle

The Church of the Good Shepherd at Folly Mills

809 Lee-Jackson Highway - Staunton, Virginia 24401

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April 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

During the COVID-19 pandemic all church activities of 10 persons or more are suspended until further notice. This includes in-person worship Services and activities such as the Noon Lunch Ministry,

Arc, and all meetings. Announcements about future activities will made by the phone tree.

The church is open each Sunday morning from 9 AM to Noon for individual prayer and devotions.

Opening the church for individual prayer complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 55 which states that “Traveling to and from one’s residence, place of worship, or work” is allowed.

- Sunday Open Door Prayer Hours -

The Sunday Scripture readings are available as are printed copies of

Daily Devotions for Families & Individuals Book of Common Prayer, pg. 136.

Hand sanitizer is in the Entry.

The Church of the Good Shepherd 809 Lee - Jackson Highway Staunton, Virginia 24401

www.goodshepherd-staunton.com

Finding Our Way in a Time of Crisis

Greetings to all of you who are experiencing a new reality, who look to the Church and God's Word for hope. Never before have so many been asked to do so much to help protect the welfare of others as well as themselves. I will try and not make this collection of thoughts sound like a sermon. In several ways the alternate forms of worship encourage more effort on our part. Not that normal worship is passive, because it's not. It opens up new dimensions, sort of like when there is a visiting preacher; we may watch on Facebook a worship form we had not seen or heard before, and experiences like this stretch our spiritual muscles. We preachers are always looking for a connection between the Bible passages and current events. It is certainly the case that the theme today, on the week before Palm Sunday, is about restoration, better yet, a new creation. A thread runs through the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones and the miracle of Lazarus' rising that suggest, no, promises that the ultimate reality is victory over death. Sometimes I have wished that this year, for relevance, the themes of Advent coincided with the pandemic. Certainly, as an object lesson to mankind, the story of the wise and foolish virgins stands out as we learn how ill-prepared we have been as a society in spite of historic epidemics in the past. Of course, we cannot undo mistakes. What is hopeful to learn is the good deeds and selflessness of so many thousands of care givers and so many others among us who are making the most of it. Families are learning again what it is like to live together, the people are using modern technology to connect, even though not so long ago we were lamenting that social media was separating us from meaningful interaction! Churches and other centers of worship are coming up with innovative ways to celebrate Communion and Community while separated physically. When I was growing up, I was convinced my mother was the original pessimist. Whenever there was a disaster, warmongering, or such, she would say “it's the end of the world coming” or “the Bible said there would be wars and rumors of wars”. My childlike spirituality chose to think otherwise, and I noticed most of her predictions were not coming true. One must note that the Book of Revelation almost did not make it into the New Testament, partly, I think for being too over the top. So we of the Faith must cling to Hope, and believe, tragic events of the 20th Century to the contrary, that we will all learn from this, learn to love more, and share a world where evil in all forms is being vanquished.

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There is much to be done, and in our fragile world we will have much to learn about adapting to circumstances. Do pray for the thousands who are suffering and those dying from this illness. To combat famine, pestilence, and such evils as homelessness and the refugee problems, addiction: the list goes on and on...we all can do our small part, by prayer and reaching out when we are able. Imagine the joy we will experience when things are returned to normalcy! In the meantime, know the Peace that passes all understanding. Peace, (The Rev.) David Elphee

“The Church of the Good Shepherd is a growing, caring church in the Anglican tradition which strives to know Christ & to make Him known by Worship, Christian Formation, and Service to others.”

Our Mission Statement

Non-Perishable Food is being donated on Sundays by those who stop by the church for

prayer. Leave whatever you can. If you need something please

feel free to take whatever you need.

OUR FINANCIAL REPORT

Your Offering becomes the Hand of Jesus.

March GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS $ 2,277.30

EXPENSES 1,816.02

“THANK YOU” for such strong financial support for the work of our Church!

Expenses are being kept at a minimum at this time. Maintenance, insurance, and our normal outreach to relieve others continues. An envelope has been provided to mail your April offering support directly to Hugh Pettis, Treasurer.

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In Our Prayers

Emerson Hart, June Ratcliffe, Hugh & Colleen Pettis, Forester & Gillian Taylor, Diane,

Jim, Royce, Cooper, Don & Shirley Parrish, Susie Griffin, Jean, Cathy Morrison,

Danny Morgan, Patrick Desper, those who risk to provide essential services to our

nation and community, Persecuted Christians, Our Armed Forces, Law Enforcement,

and those who suffer in health or need due to COVID-19 and other threatening

illnesses. Prayer List Contact: Tea Howell

- Alternate Forms of Worship -

Daily Devotions for Families & Individuals Book of Common Prayer, pg. 136.

Pray at home, or come to the church between 9 AM and Noon on Sundays.

The Altar Guild will decorate for Palm Sunday and Easter to honor the Lord

and for those who spend personal time at church on those days.

Daily & Sunday Services from the National Cathedral and

Easter Day Service from the National Cathedral

with the Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop Video Services: https://cathedral.org/worship/

Online Services from Churches in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia

https://www.dioswva.org/online-worship.html

The full text of the Governor’s Executive Order 55 follows.

Its practical advice aids us to “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

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Laura Kelly Fanucci

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The birth, death and

resurrection of Jesus

means that one day

everything that is sad

…will become untrue.

J.R.R. Tolkien

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