Monday, October 26^th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
 
To Members and Friends of 
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
Dear Friends,
 
Life is mostly froth and bubble, 
Two things stand like stone,  
Kindness in another’s trouble, 
Courage in your own. 
        —Adam Lindsay Gordon, 
            poet (19 Oct 1833-1870) 
 
 
* * *
 
Our book study on White Fragility concluded last week. One of the things we agreed we could “do” to build a less racist world is to share great books with our children. Don Pippin pulled these titles together for us to consider. Books make great gifts to our kids and grandkids. The authors that are starred have several books published and almost anything by them would be good. What children’s books do you recommend? Let me know, and I’ll publish the titles here.
 
PRIMARY:
 
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander*
Holes in the Sky by Patricia Polacco*
The Old Truck by Jarrett Phumphrey
Goggles by Ezra Jack Keats*
The Girl with a Mind for Math: the Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca*
 
PRE-ADOLESCENT
 
The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown
Rebound by Kwame Alexander*
As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds*
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson*
 
JUVENILE
 
Words with Wings (20 works of art paired with poems by African Americans)
 
GRAPHIC NOVELS
 
The Port Chicago 50: disaster, mutiny and the fight for civil rights by Steve Sheinken
Black Panther/Shuri 
March, (3 volumes) by John Lewis
 
* * *
 
Late afternoon walks, 
mandolin wind and acoustic guitar, 
high harmony, alchemy of notes, and
leaves, leaves falling, falling
skittering across the road
notes of their own, sweet song,
crunching underfoot in four-four.
A chill creeping in with a day
painted grey, evening creeping in too soon,
long walks through this fall. Fall
ing leaves and moon sliver floating.
So, sing.
 
News
 
KITCHEN, KITCHEN:  What is your vision for our new kitchen? After Covid, should we have weekly Sunday brunches? Monthly dinners? Community meals? Sunday Night Jazz? What ministry awaits us? Ideas? Please be in touch with Gary Peterson (or me) with thoughts. Thanks. 
 
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter): 
 
I *think* Betty Hollister sent this. It’s funny!
 
A priest, a rabbit, and a minister walk into a bar. The 
bartender asks the rabbit, “What will you have?” The
rabbit shakes his head and answers, “I have no idea.
The only reason that I am here is because of
autocorrect.
 
Good Word:
 
NRS Numbers 6:24-26
 
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
 
LET US PRAY:
 
(I’ve been finding prayers in song lyrics. Do any songs come to your mind? Share with me.)
 
New Lullaby
by David LaMotte
 
Oh hi sing lullaby
Hi oh where will we go
Oh hi the stars in the sky
Will sing lullaby tonight
 
You are my baby and I love you so
But another day is coming so this one must go
Peter Pan is flying but he’s flying low
Just to sing lullaby tonight
 
So hush little baby now don’t say a word
‘Cause I’m gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if it won’t sing in captivity
Well we’ll open the cage and we’ll set that bird free
 
Oh hi sing lullaby
Hi oh where will we go
Oh hi the stars in the sky
Will sing lullaby tonight
 
So rock-a-by baby on the treetop
Well the wind my be blowin’ and cradles will rock
But the bow, it is strong, and the cradle won’t fall
So sing lullaby tonight
 
And now I lay me down to sleep
And I pray the Lord my soul to keep
And if the Lord should come see me before I awake
Well, we’ll run up to heaven and eat chocolate cake, singin’
 
Oh hi sing lullaby
Hi oh where will we go
Oh hi the stars in the sky
Will sing lullaby tonight
 
Much, much love to you all.
 
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church