Wednesday August 5^th, 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
I hope you can take a few minutes today to look around. A cardinal landed on my office window sill yesterday and we had a brief staring contest. Last week I saw for the first time what I’m told was a goldfinch. No matter how busy I am at the office, I will pause for the birds.
 
Take a moment to look around today. 
 
Tell God you appreciate it.
 
* * *
 
This poem was sent to me by my dear friend Scott Paul-Bonham:
 
Leisure/William Henry Davies
 
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare
 
Take on Race:
 
John Lewis’ last words. Really worth the listen. It’s a love letter to us.
https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/morgan-freeman-reads-rep-john-lewis-last-words-89332293780
 
News:
 
The story behind the great video:
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/07/27/priests-viral-hamilton-video-reminds-parishioners-youll-be-back/?fbclid=IwAR0pviHW3vskyV1kJj3SZrAb1IoJ8Z-0EZFQ0bThv-Z0e-zBgPiLNOsUrVM
 
Remember, HELPING HANDS: The Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian has a committee called “Helping Hands”.  The committee’s goal is to check with people in the congregation that might need help with meals or errands for a period of time due to personal or other family events.   Examples might be:

•       Meals needed after surgery or during an illness
•       Help with meals while family is visiting for a funeral service.
•       Assistance with grocery or pharmacy pick-ups.

One of our biggest challenges is knowing about those who might need our services.  Please help us out by passing on referrals to Marcia or Patty in the church office or to Clemmie Ackermann at coletta.ackermann@gmail.com or at 217-377-7901.  The other members of this committee are Lola Ruthmansdorfer,  Claudia Kirby and Marty Edwards.  

TONIGHT Mid-Week Gathering 7 pm
Email zoom@firstpres.church for the link.
 
Humor/the banking edition: (Serious times call for re-creation, joy, and humor.)
 
From Dave Bauer.  At the Pine River bank outdoor digital sign: What sort of account did the barber decide to open? A “shavings account.”
 
From Ken Chapman. I heard that Tonto needed capital to start his own business but first he had to satisfy the loan arranger.

GOOD WORD:
Matthew 14:22-33                
²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. 

LET US PRAY:
 
O God, 
 
forgive our wanton waste of the 
wealth of the soil and sea and air; 
 
forgive our desecration of natural 
beauty; 
 
forgive our heedlessness of those 
who shall come after us;
 
forgive our undue love of money; 
 
forgive our contempt for small things 
and our worship of what is big; 
 
forgive our neglect of struggling peoples.
 
For such wrongs to our natural and human 
heritage,
 
and for many things left undone, forgive us, O God.
 
(Forgive Us, adapted from Willard L. Sperry)
 
PEACE to you all,
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church